WBE Procurement Opportunities

Government contracts can be a great source of business revenue for both new and established businesses. But to get those contracts, you have to understand the process and how to navigate it successfully. Consider these statements if you are thinking about selling to any large corporation or the government.

• Do homework about the company or government entity that you'd like to do business with so you know what products and services they are buying.
• Secondly, try to build a relationship. To do that you need to be persistent. People want to do business with people that have a relationship with.
• You need to have some kind of technology savviness. Usually buyers of services will offer e-tools we use in procurement. You will need to an overview of technology as it relates to the world of procurement.
• And finally, ask yourself whether or not you have the resources to supply the company with the services or supplies needed in order to meet the company's contractural arrangments.

Procurement Opportunities

VendorNet (provided by the Wisconsin Department of Administration) provides easy access to a wide variety of information of interest to vendors who wish to provide goods and services to the state as well as state agencies and municipalities. View recently awarded contracts.

The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program (provided by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation) attempts to increase participation of firms owned by disadvantaged individuals in all federal aid and state transportation facility contracts.

The Milwaukee Small Business Administration office provides development assistance to help women-owned businesses gain access to the mainstream American economy. Visit their website to learn about federal contracting opportunities and access the Guide for Federal Contracting for Women.

US Environmental Protection Agency Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization supports the protection of the environment and human health by fostering procurement opportunities with WBE'S. Contact the Wisconsin Regional Contact.

The Business Procurement Assistance Center (BPAC) provides technical and marketing assistance to Wisconsin businesses interested in selling their products and services to the government.

Update on Federal Contract Assistance Program for Woman-Owned Business
On June 15, 2006, the Small Business Administration (SBA) published a proposed regulation to add a new contracting program for women-owned small business. The SBA's Office of Advocacy provided comments about the economic impact of this rule on women-owned businesses. The April edition (page 3) of the SBA's monthly newsletter provides a question and answer article on the status of the federal contract assistance program.