Blog - Page 2 of 7 - Virginia PTAC at George Mason University, an APEX Accelerator Virginia PTAC at George Mason University, an APEX Accelerator

Update your Electronic Capabilities Statement with the U.S. Department of Treasury OSDBU

Posted on June 28, 2022

Want to do business with the U.S. Department of Treasury? Check out this reminder that they send to small businesses engaged with them:

Greetings,

The U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU), requires that all small businesses update their Electronic Capabilities Statements (e-CS) periodically to ensure information is accurate and up-to-date.

If there is an error in your listing, or if you need to make changes to your Capabilities Statement, Past Performance, NAICs Codes or Business Point of Contact, we encourage you to make those updates as soon as possible.

The Treasury OSDBU recognizes the important contributions made by small businesses to include small disadvantaged, women-owned and economically disadvantaged women-owned, service-disabled veteran owned, and HUBZone small businesses. For that reason, we strive to provide our Treasury Bureaus acquisition community with up-to-date capabilities statements of small businesses who wish to do business with Treasury. We use this OSDBU Electronic Capabilities Statement Portal for market research and to provide resources to small businesses to ensure they are better positioned to compete for contractual requirements and subcontracting opportunities at Treasury. Our Office goal is to maintain a reputation as a leader among government agencies for exceptional performance in small business contracting.

Thank you,

Office of Small & Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU)
Department of the Treasury
Email: TreasuryOSDBU[at]Treasury.gov

To learn how to do business with Treasury please visit: www.treas.gov/osdbu

Tags: capabilities statement, Department of Treasury, OSDBU

Posted in: Uncategorized

Leave a Comment (0) →

Attention Veteran Owned Small Businesses

Posted on June 7, 2022

Please review the latest message from Small Business Administration (SBA) to Veteran-Owned Businesses and Stakeholders regarding the Veteran’s Administration (VA) Center for Verification and Evaluation Transfer (CVE) from VA to SBA:

Dear Veteran-Owned Businesses and Stakeholders,

We are one month closer to the transfer of the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Center for Verification and Evaluation (CVE) to the SBA. Effective January 1, 2023, all functions of the CVE will be managed by the SBA.

As we near the transfer date, please review the following scenarios and take the necessary steps to ensure a smooth transition:

If you are a self-certified SDVOSB and you are currently doing business with the government or you’re interested in pursuing work with the government in the near future, you will need to become certified in order to do business with the government once the transfer is effective on Jan. 1, 2023. Please consider getting certified through the VA now. Your VA certification will then transfer over to the SBA on Jan. 1, 2023. If not, you will have a one-year grace period after the transfer date to become certified through the SBA. Please start the VA process here: https://vetbiz.va.gov/vip/
- Example: Linda runs a self-certified SDVOSB. Linda should consider getting certified now through the VA or otherwise she will need to become certified through the SBA after Jan. 1, 2023. She can keep her contract through the period of performance but if she wants to compete for sole source and set-aside contracts with the government in the future then she will need to be certified through the SBA.
If you are a VOSB or SDVOSB certified through the VA and your certification is within 120 days from expiration between now and December 2022, please recertify with the VA now before the transfer is complete. Follow instructions provided in reminder emails from the VA.
- Example: Stacey owns a VOSB, and her VA certification expires in December 2022. Stacey should follow the steps provided in the notification/reminder email from the VA and recertify through the VA now before the transfer. Her certification will then transfer over to the SBA effective Jan. 1, 2023.
If you are a VOSB or SDVOSB certified through the VA and you’re not up for recertification soon, no action is required. Your status will transfer to the SBA.
- Example: John owns a VOSB, and his business is certified through the VA through 2024. John’s certification status will transfer over to the SBA, and he does not need to take any steps at this time before the transfer.

Lastly, please join us for the next public briefing on the CVE transfer which will take place during the Advisory Committee on Veterans Business Affairs on Thursday, June 2, 2022, at 9 a.m. ET. To join the meeting from your computer, go to https://bit.ly/JuneACVBA or dial-in by phone at 202-765-1264 and enter code 147 026 343#.

Thank you,

Larry

Larry Stubblefield

Associate Administrator

Office of Veterans Business Development U.S. Small Business Administration

Tags: certification, CVE, SBA, SDVOSB, Verification, veteran, VOSB

Posted in: Uncategorized

Leave a Comment (0) →

In Memorium

Posted on May 20, 2022

It is with heavy hearts that we make the PTAC community aware that Thomas (Tom) Miglas passed away on Friday May 6, 2022. Tom was a true hearted “PTACer” who was passionate about the program mission. He was loved and respected by his clients and colleagues. Tom worked for thirty-five years in the technology field holding various management positions after serving in the US Air Force. After moving to Virginia in 2004 to work for the Center for Innovative Technology PTAP, it was later taken over by George Mason University in October, 2005. In 2011, Tom became the Southern Region Director for the GMU PTAC, with responsibility for two regional offices. Also in 2011, he was first elected to the APTAC Board as Region 5 Director and served in that capacity until April 2019 serving as the voice of Region 5 PTACs and welcoming new members to the community. Tom retired from the Virginia PTAC at GMU in September of 2020. He will be sorely missed by his Virginia PTAC colleagues past and present along with the PTAC nation.

Services for Tom will be held Saturday, July 30, at 11AM at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Palmyra, Virginia, More information will be made available on this updated page as the memorial service details are finalized.

Posted in: Uncategorized

Leave a Comment (0) →

Attention All WOSB/EDWOSB Firms RE: Annual Attestation with SBA

Posted on April 26, 2022

To remain eligible as an EDWOSB or WOSB, program participants must submit an annual attestation to SBA each year, per 13 CFR Part 127.400. If you have received a letter from SBA about your annual attestation, and you are able to navigate to their dashboard, you will be able to go through the process of attestation, these are the steps:

• At the dashboard select the link to your application which states you are “approved”

• Then, select from the options (not a drop down) update/change

• Then, select the update you are doing, “WOSB Annual Update One”

• Carefully answer the questions presented that show nothing has changed

• After the questions are answered you will be asked to attest that everything is correct, then submit

• You will receive an email from SBA saying there has been a change to your certification, it is really vague, and you will be instructed to go to your dashboard again and access the letter from your documents saying you have successfully done your annual attestation.

Save the document to a handy folder on your computer and/or print out if you prefer a hard copy.

As a reminder, 13 CFR Part 127.401 states, “Once certified, a WOSB or EDWOSB must notify SBA of any material changes that could affect its eligibility within 30 calendar days of any such change. Material change includes, but is not limited to, a change in the ownership, business structure, or management.”

PTAC Counselors are here to help you through this process if you do not feel comfortable navigating it on your own.

Tags: certification, EDWOSB, SBA, WOSB

Posted in: Uncategorized

Leave a Comment (0) →

One-on-one small business engagements set for May

Posted on April 6, 2022

Small business professionals from across the Mission and Installation Contracting Command (MICC) as well as other agencies are teaming with the Washington D.C. Metro area PTACs to conduct one-on-one meetings with small businesses during a hybrid matchmaking event May 23 and 24. Read more here with MICC’s coverage of the event: https://www.army.mil/article/254505/ and signup before the April 29th priority deadline for matchmaking: https://virginiaptac.ecenterdirect.com/events/3325

Posted in: Uncategorized

Leave a Comment (0) →

Client Success: Seamless Management Solutions

Posted on March 31, 2022

Monica Sarmiento-Martinez & Janet Moody

Virginia PTAC client since April, 2021

Seamless Management Solutions is a minority-women owned company that specializes in global project management, process improvement, business support services as well as providing Spanish/English technical language translation. The owners bring over 40 years of experience from previous careers, managing multi-million-dollar projects. Their careers were in various industries in the USA and globally.

Counseling sessions with Virginia PTAC Procurement Counselor, Lisa Powell, consisted of, but were not limited to, getting the firm registered in SAM, completing SBA’s WOSB application, and guided searches in SAM and eVA to find opportunities. During the sessions when searching in SAM and eVA, the PTAC counselor made a suggestion that the firm look for an opportunity falling within their scope of work, but which seemed too large for them. She suggested they add their information in the Interested Vendor’s List in SAM and in the B2B section in eVA. The purpose of this being that the awardee may have sub-contracting opportunities or is in search of a company to team with, and may reach out to them.

Part of a firm’s registration in the State of Virginia’s Procurement System (eVA) is the ability to receive notifications in their email. An opportunity for a Spanish Language Pesticide Applicators Examination/Translation Examination Development Services for the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services showed in Seamless Management Solutions’ email (URFPNo 301-22-014). When the firm reviewed the scope of work, they realized it included services they could not provide (development of the training/testing curriculum) but they could provide the translation services. Seamless Management Solutions followed their PTAC counselor’s advice and entered their information into the B2B section of this opportunity, stating they would be willing to partner with another firm. They were contacted by Kim Taylor-Wilson, owner of Corrin & King Business Strategies, LLC (also a Virginia PTAC client). The two firms worked on the proposal together and submitted a response, ultimately winning the award. This is the first subcontract award for Seamless Management Solutions.

Seamless Management Solutions is also now SWaM and WOSB certified.

“I greatly appreciate the assistance from PTAC, especially from Lisa Powell, who has helped us getting into the government space; winning our first contract as a sub is a major milestone for us.”

– Monica Sarmiento-Martinez

Tags: subcontracting, Virginia

Posted in: Success Stories

Leave a Comment (0) →

Using Color Reviews for Government Cost Proposals

Posted on March 18, 2022

Article Submitted by OST Global Solutions

Cost proposals are often times the deciding factor in determining the winner – “It all comes down to price.” So why are cost volumes typically finished at the end of the proposal process and treated as an afterthought?

Click this link to watch the accompanying video: https://www.ostglobalsolutions.com/using-color-reviews-for-government-cost-proposals/.

Many companies treat cost proposals as an administrative task that requires no creativity. They figure out what they need to price, assemble the spreadsheet, and then cut and paste some language from other proposals to “justify” the numbers.

But this is a flawed way of thinking. Cost proposals present a great opportunity to convince the government that yours is the only realistic and reasonable pricing. There’s a lot of nuance when it comes to realism vs. reasonableness price evaluations that the Government performs, but we’re talking generalities here.

Cost proposals need to have win themes and ghost your competition by describing how you derive your rates. For example, is this a difficult market in which to find qualified job candidates? Are you paying people for specific and unusual skills that the government requires for this job? Do not assume that the person evaluating your proposal knows the ins and outs of the program. Spell it all out.

For cost volumes, there are many different creative ways to explaining different concepts to your government customer. But to succeed, you need more than one green team that’s happening towards the end of the whole proposal lifecycle. You must treat your cost like the technical volumes that follow the same lifecycle as your technical proposal.

OST likes to have a cost proposal pink team, a cost proposal red team, and a cost proposal gold team. Read aloud reviews can make sure the whole proposal to make sure it’s perfect. Cost people will notice your errors because they pay attention to detail.

My challenge to you: during your next proposal, think of your cost volume as a key piece of the proposal that you track and review thoroughly from the beginning of the process. Don’t put it off till the very end.

OST Global Solutions is a professional business development consulting firm and frequent guest instructor providing subject matter expertise to Virginia PTAC clients through interactive presentations. Please visit the Virginia PTAC training calendar to find the next free training seminar on developing cost proposals by using these tips to find the training you need: https://virginiaptac.org/resources/training-calendar-tips/

Virginia PTAC clients may also reach out directly to their Procurement Counselor for guidance. Not a client? Check to see if you are eligible to signup: https://virginiaptac.org/services/counseling/

Posted in: Uncategorized

Leave a Comment (0) →

MBDA Needs Public Comments – Rural Business Center Program

Posted on January 10, 2022

The deadline for filing comments is January 25, 2022.

The U.S. Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency is seeking public
comment on the establishment of a Rural Business Center Program by January 25, 2022 at 5 pm (ET). Comments may be used to help MBDA decide policy related to the areas of focus,
geographical location and distribution, and additional areas of service for the rural business
center program. Read more detail here on the Federal Register: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/12/30/2021-28331/rural-business-center-program?utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_name=&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term=

Tags: Set Aside

Posted in: News Feed

Leave a Comment (0) →

Virginia PTAC seeking new counselor

Posted on December 1, 2021

We’re hiring!

If you know someone knowledgeable about Federal or State procurement who is may be interested in seeking a 32 hr per week (with benefits) employment as a Procurement Counselor at George Mason University, please share this job announcement:

Part Time Procurement Counselor serving Central Virginia based in our Fredericksburg office at UMW: https://jobs.gmu.edu/postings/52166

Responsibilities include:

Government Contracting Counseling

Ensure PTAC client’s SAM and Dynamic Small Business Search are thoroughly filled out to provide the best snapshot of the firms’ competencies;
Determine eligibility of firm’s ability to achieve socioeconomic certifications for HUBZone, 8(a) and WOSB/EDWOSB, Mentor Protégé and SDVOSB verification;
Advise PTAC clients about the advantages and disadvantages associated with teaming arrangements and the various regulations governing subcontracting and joint ventures;
Provide PTAC clients information about the government’s competition policies, contract types, procurement methods, and source selection processes;
Perform assessments of PTAC clients’ draft responses to government solicitations and provide recommendations to improve their chances of winning more government contracts and subcontracts;
Provide PTAC clients information about government procurement policies, rules, regulations and processes;
Provide PTAC clients recommended courses of action to resolve government solicitation, prime contract, subcontract, contract management, and/or performance issues; and
Maintain current, accurate and complete electronic records for all counseling sessions and administrative actions in support of the PTAC mission.

Business Training

Assist with the development of government contracting presentations, workshops and outreach events; and
Lead government contracting workshops and provide formal presentations to small businesses and external constituents within the PTAC’s service area.

Outreach

Establish and maintain relationships with government buyers and partners (incl. universities, economic development organizations, major prime contractors, State Procurement professionals, legislators, chambers of commerce, and other business groups).

Success Stories

Identify/write minimum of 1 success story per quarter drawing from counseling client’s contract awards or other achievements eligible as an official DLA reportable success story. Confirm content with Statewide Director, submit to client for their approval and signature on company letterhead per DLA requirements.

Posted in: Company News, Press Releases, Uncategorized

Leave a Comment (0) →

Notice to all WOSB/EDWOSB firms with annual attestation due: Temporary Suspension of Annual Update Requirement

Posted on November 30, 2021

To remain eligible as an EDWOSB or WOSB, program participants must submit an annual attestation to SBA each year, per 13 CFR Part 127.400. Currently, SBA is experiencing technical difficulties with the annual attestation process.

As an interim solution and to mitigate negative impact to firms, SBA is suspending annual attestation until 1 Mar 2022. SBA will notify firms when the issue has been resolved to allow participants to complete their annual attestation.

Currently, reporting material changes is fully available under beta.Certify.sba.gov and instructions are available within the beta.Certify Knowledgebase.

A participant’s failure to notify SBA of a material change may result in decertification and removal from SAM and DSBS (or any successor system) as a designated certified WOSB/EDWOSB concern. In addition, SBA may seek the imposition of penalties under §127.700.

Lastly, once we respond to a help ticket and move it to a closed status, we are unable to directly view any updated responses. If there is any follow-up question or concern, please create a new ticket and if needed please include the previous ticket’s Case Number for reference.

Best,
Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contracting Program Office of Government Contracting & Business Development
U.S. Small Business Administration
https://beta.certify.sba.gov/help-csh/

Tags: certification, EDWOSB, SBA, WOSB

Posted in: Uncategorized

Leave a Comment (0) →

Page 2 of 7 123 4 5...»