· to participate a company must be small, located in an "historically underutilized business zone" (HUBZone), owned and controlled by a U.S. Citizens, and at least 35% of its employees reside in a HUBZone.

· companies must be certified by SBA

· certification application and map are located at http://map.sba.gov/hubzone/

2. WomenBizzOpp

· SBA sponsored web site geared toward helping women-owned businesses do contracting with the government

· starting point for woman-owned businesses to find contracting opportunities

· provides information on sub-contracting opportunities, mentor-protégé programs, best practices and tips for woman-owned businesses marketing to the government

· for more info visit http://www.womenbiz.gov

3. Procurement Gateway
· Internet site used by the Defense Logistics Agency’s three Supply Centers (DSCC- Columbus, DSCP - Philadelphia & DSCR - Richmond) to electronically post and respond to solicitations

· provides ability to search RFPs, RFQs, and awards

· contains a user profile feature which performs automated and customized searches

· all awards from DSCC, DSCR and DSCP are automatically emailed through this site

· to register and utilize search capabilities access site at http://progate.daps.mil/home

4. NECO (Navy Electronic Commerce Online)

· Internet site for links to Navy Business Opportunities

· all Navy business opportunities are listed on this site or linked to it

· interested companies can register with NECO and receive email notices of opportunities

· to register and to find out more about NECO, visit http://www.neco.navy.mil .

5. General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Supply Services

· GSA has federal supply schedules for just about every product and service

· GSA provides the opportunity for vendors to get on these schedules to supply their products and/or services

· federal government contracting officers can purchase items directly from vendors on the schedules

· search the Schedules E-Library for contact information on a particular schedule as well as contractors already on the schedule

· search federal supply schedules at http://www.fss.gsa.gov

6. Federal BizOpps
· Internet site listing federal government contracting opportunities

· provides the ability to search current solicitations of various government agencies by number or keyword

· we search this site for our bid matching program

· access site at http://www.fedbizopps.gov

7. Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)

· federal governments contracting guidelines

· standard regulations set up by the government that act as “laws” to federal contracting

· regulations and contract clauses are referred to in solicitation packages and can be referenced at http://www.arnet.gov/far/ (.pdf format)

8. Naval Inventory Control Point (NAVICP) – Mechanicsburg
· local Navy installation that manages an inventory of spare parts for ships and submarines

· potential market for local, small businesses

· contact SBA’s Procurement Center Representative, Carol Decker (717-605-7525) - or -

· the Navy’s Small Business Specialist, Helen Katz (717-605-6625) for information on what NAVICP buys - or -

· access the small business web site at http://www.navicp.navy.mil/006/sbhome.htm

9. Defense Distribution Center Region East (DDRE) – New Cumberland
· main headquarters for all army distribution centers in the country

· provides potential opportunities for local, small businesses

· web site can found at http://www.ddc.dla.mil

10. Letterkenny Army Depot
· procure a variety of spare parts

· Richard Rector, Office of Small & Disadvantaged Business Utilization, 717-267-9007

· http://www.lead.army.mil

11. Overview of selling to the federal government

· http://www.sellingtothegovernment.net

12. Selling to the Military

· contains information on selling to the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, DLA and other Defense Agencies

· includes information on items purchased, locations of military purchasing offices, etc.

· http://www.acq.osd.mil/sadbu/publications/selling/

13. Subcontracting Opportunities

· advantageous for small businesses

· primes must establish goals if contract is over $500,00 or $1,000,000 for construction

· list of primes can be found on SBA’s web site – http://www.sba.gov and sellingtothegovernment.net

· current subcontracting opportunities posted on SUB-Net, http://web.sba.gov/subnet

14. DefenseLINK - Doing Business with the Department of Defense

· lists information to assist you with doing business with the DoD

· provides links to many different resources

· contains information on specifications and standards

· site can be accessed at: http://www.defenselink.mil/other_info/business.html

General Information – State of PA

1. Department of Treasury – Bureau of Contracts & Public Records

· central point for gathering information on all state contracts over $5,000

· provides descriptions of contracts, names of previous bidders, pricing breakdowns and other information that may help you successfully bid on a contract

· contact them at 1-800-252-4700 or http://www.treasury.state.pa.us/Contracts.html

2. Keystone Opportunity Zones (KOZ)

· defined, limited areas with greatly reduced or no tax burden for businesses

· designated by local communities and approved by the state

· a partnership between each community and region among state and local taxing bodies, school districts, economic development agencies and community-based organizations

· for more information visit http://koz.inventpa.com

3. PA SourceNet

· Internet based system designed to bring buyers together with Pennsylvania suppliers of products and services

· offered at no cost to companies through grants from the State and Federal governments

· register at http://www.pasourcenet.com/index1.htm

4. Made in PA

· Internet based list of products made in Pennsylvania

· allows PA companies to register their products in order for other companies to search products

· also provides links to assist businesses in various areas

· available at http://www.madeinpa.com

Federal Government Specific Information

1. Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) Code

· categorizes and classifies a company’s products or services

· defines the size of a company (large or small)

· service companies classified by sales per year (typically)

· manufacturing classified by number of employees (typically)

· SIC Code descriptions available at http://www.osha.gov/oshstats/sicser.html

2. North American Industry Classification System (NAICS)

· coding system which replaced SIC Codes on October 1, 2000

· categorizes and classifies a company’s products or services

· defines the size of a company (large or small)

· service companies classified by sales per year (typically)

· manufacturing classified by number of employees (typically)

· descriptions & info available at http://www.census.gov/pub/epcd/www/naics.html

3. Federal Supply Code (FSC)

· federal government coding system of products and services

· services A-Z

· products 10–99

· they are broken down further into federal supply classes and national stock numbers

· FSC descriptions available at http://web1.whs.osd.mil/peidhome/guide/mn02/MN02.HTM

4. DUNS Number (Data Universal Numbering System)

· used to identify companies for financial tracking

· required by federal government to obtain CAGE Code and TPIN

· to obtain number call 1-800-333-0505

5. CAGE Code (Commercial and Government Entity)

· five character alphanumeric identification system administered to identify commercial and government entities (companies may have more than one)

· mandatory in order to do contracting

· automatically assigned when company completes CCR Registration online

· to verify if your company has a CAGE Code assigned, visit http://www.dlis.dla.mil/cageserv.asp

6. Register in SBA’s PRO-Net (optional, but recommended)

· an excellent and FREE marketing tool for small businesses

· an Internet-based database of procurement information on small businesses

· used by contracting officers and prime contractors to seek qualified small companies

· companies who register in CCR are automatically included in PRO-Net as long as the small business box is checked

· register at http://pro-net.sba.gov - remember to update profile every 18 months

Specific State Government (PA) Information

1. Department of General Services (DGS)

· main purchasing office for supplies and services

· visit web site at http://www.dgs.state.pa.us/dgs/site/default.asp

2. Become a registered vendor

· printing companies and suppliers of products must register as a vendor

· complete application found at http://www.dgs.state.pa.us/

3. Locate state bid opportunities

· our bid-lead matching program taps much of this information

· we search this site for our bid matching program

· other sources are PA Bulletin and DGS web site http://www.dgs.state.pa.us/

4. Commonwealth Purchasing Agents

· responsible for purchasing products and services for state government offices

· a great marketing potential for small businesses

· list can be found at http://www.dgs.state.pa.us/

5. State Contracts Online

· Pennsylvania Bulletin online

· allows you to search the state contract data base by opportunities, awards, etc.

· http://www.pabulletin.com/

6. Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT)

· state agency that procures products and services independently of DGS

· have their own procurement rules and regulations

· visit web site at http://www.dot.state.pa.us/

7. Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission

· responsible for 513 miles of road 55 fare collection facilities, 22 service plazas and 2 traveler information centers, 20 maintenance facilities, 8 State Police barracks and 5 tunnels http://www.paturnpike.com

· Purchasing Department is responsible for procuring all products and services

· interested companies must complete a Bidder’s Application

· visit above web site for a copy of the application and the Vendor’s Guide

8. State ITQ

· to supply IT services and products, companies must be an approved vendor

· the ITQ process provides statewide contracts that are intended to give state agencies fast and easy access to Information Technology, Personnel Management and Education Technology services by doing business with pre-qualified vendors

· ITQ services are offered through three main contracts

· Master IT Services ITQ

· Management Training and Consulting ITQ

· Educational Technologies Master ITQ

· additional information can be found at http://www.itq.state.pa.us/site

County Level Specific Information

· each county has their own procurement rules

· contact the county you are interested in doing business with to find out the proper procedures

· obtain a list of PA counties who have active web sites at http://www.state.pa.us/govlocal.html

1. Adams County Courthouse
111 Baltimore Street

Gettysburg, PA 17325

(717) 334-6781

2. Berks County Solicitor
633 Court St. Fl 13
Reading, PA 19601-4310

(610) 478-6106

3. Chester County Purchasing
2 N High St. # 145

West Chester, PA 19380-3023

(610) 344-6325

4. Cumberland County

1 Courthouse Square

Carlisle, PA 17013

(717) 240-6100

5. Dauphin County Purchasing
Front & Market Sts

Harrisburg, PA 17102

(717) 255-2968

6. Franklin County Purchasing
201 Franklin Farm Lane

Chambersburg, PA 17201-3060
(717) 261-3890

7. Lancaster County Purchasing
50 N Duke St.

Lancaster, PA 17602-2829

(717) 299-8258

http://www.co.lancaster.pa.us/

8. Lebanon County Offices

400 S 8th St

Lebanon, PA 17042-6794
(717) 274-2801

9. York County Purchasing
1 Market Way W Fl 4

York, PA 17401-1611

(717) 771-9269

http://www.york-county.org/

City Level Specific Information

· each city has their own procurement rules

· contact the city you are interested in doing business with to find out the proper procedures

· obtain a list of PA cities, townships and boroughs who have active web sites at http://www.state.pa.us/papower/site/default.asp

1. The Borough of Carlisle
53 W South St.

Carlisle, PA 17013

(717) 249-4422

2. Chambersburg Office
100 S 2nd St.

Chambersburg, PA 17201

(717) 264-5151

3. Gettysburg City

59 E High St.

Gettysburg, PA 17325

(717) 334-1160

4. City of Harrisburg

10 N 2nd St. # 302

Harrisburg, PA 17102

(717) 255-6470

5. Lancaster City
120 N Duke St.
Lancaster, PA 17602

(717) 291-4762

www.twp.lancaster.pa.us/

6. Lebanon City Offices
Municipal Building
Lebanon, PA 17042
Phone: (717) 273-6711

7. Reading Purchasing Office
815 Washington St.
Reading, PA 19601
(610) 655-6206

8. West Chester Borough

401 E Gay St.

West Chester, PA 19380
(610) 696-1452

9. York City

1 Market Way S Fl 3

York, PA 17401
(717) 849-2250

Business Certifications – Federal

1. Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB)

· A three-year certification strictly pertaining to benefits in federal procurement.

· SBA certifies small businesses that meet specific social, economic, ownership and control eligibility

· small disadvantaged businesses are eligible for price evaluation adjustments of up to 10 percent when bidding on federal contracts in certain industries

· more information on SDB certification and the application can be found at http://www.sba.gov/sdb/index.html

2. 8(a) program

· SBA certification for socially and economically disadvantaged businesses

· the program was set up to guide small businesses through the federal contracting process

· additional information can be found at http://www.sba.gov/8abd/

3. HUBZone Empowerment Contracting and Certification

· SBA administered program

· provides federal contracting opportunities for qualified small businesses located in distressed areas

· helps to empower communities, create jobs, and attract private investment

· companies must be located in a "historically underutilized business zone,”

· must be owned and controlled by one or more U.S. Citizens

· at least 35% of its employees must reside in a HUBZone

· a HUBZone is a qualified census tract with a median household income of less than 80 percent of the State median household income

· or a qualified census tract with an unemployment rate of not less than 140 percent of the statewide average,

· or lands within the boundaries of federally recognized Indian reservations

· for additional info visit http://www.sba.gov/hubzone/

4. Woman-Owned Business Certification

· newly enacted by Congress – Section 8 of the Small Business Act

· a procurement program for women-owned small business concerns

· a business that is at least 51% owned and operated by one or more women

· program has not been implemented

· self-certification

5. Veteran-Owned Small Business

· newly created business status

· a firm where 51% of the ownership and control of the enterprise is maintained by a veteran

· prime contractors and agencies have “best effort” goals

· self-certification

6. Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business

· a firm 51% of the ownership and control of the enterprise is maintained by a service disabled veteran

· prime contractors and agencies have a 3% goal

· self-certification

Business Certification – State of PA

1. Woman-owned Business Enterprise (WBE) and Minority-owned Business Enterprise (MBE) Certifications

· certifications by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of General Services, Bureau of Contract Administration and Business Development for woman and minority owned businesses

· companies must be 51% owned and operated by a woman or minority who is a U.S. citizen

· certification offers various benefits such as direct referrals to prime contractors, inclusion in the state’s database of applicable companies, extra points for contracts being awarded on the point system, etc.

· more information on WBE and MBE certification and the application can be found at:

http://www.dgs.state.pa.us/dgs/site/default.asp (download application)

2. PennDOT and PA Turnpike Commission have their own certification programs

· see PennDOT site at http://www.dot.state.pa.us for additional info

· see PA Turnpike site at http://www.paturnpike.com for additional info