Friday, May 05, 2006

The Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBDTC) at UNCW will hold a workshop on selling goods and services to all levels of government, titled "How to do Business with the Government" from 5 to 7 p.m., on Monday, May 15, at 5051 New Centre Drive.

Each year the federal government spends over 300 billion dollars and North Carolina spends almost 4 billion dollars on a wide variety of goods and services; from the basics such as trash disposal to state of the art electronics or software. Small business is awarded over 24% of those dollars. This workshop explains the procurement process in a clear, uncomplicated way. This government market offers great opportunity for small business and for minority owned business but that firm must be positioned to go after the opportunity when it presents itself.

Learn about the internet based procurement systems operated by the federal government and North Carolina government; how to research your market and how to get automatic notice when anyone is buying your product or service.

Attendees will follow the procurement process from the registration and certification requirements, to finding out what and where the government is buying. Find out about contract preference programs, who they benefit and how they work. Get contacts and resources for further advice and assistance should you decide to pursue government business. This course will de-mystify government procurement so that you can make a better decision on whether to enter this important market.

Dave Lamoureux, of the UNCW Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC) in Wilmington, has almost 30 years of experience in government procurement. He has worked in both the private and public sectors.



For more information or to register for this course, please call the SBTDC at 910/962-3744.