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PTACs also work directly with government agencies to help them reach the suppliers they need. PTACs can play a critical role in the following areas:
**PTACs Assist Under-Secretary of Defense on IUID Initiative**
PTACs regularly sponsor, facilitate or participate in conferences and seminars at the request of agencies needing to get information out to the contractor community. Such events can provide important information on new acquisitions policies or procedures, specialized solicitations, or general information about contracting with that agency.
Federal buying officials contact their local PTACs requesting assistance for specific companies they wish to contract with, but which lack necessary certifications or other criteria for a contract award. PTACs can provide assistance where a SADBU office cannot because of conflict of interest issues or staff limitations.
Federal buying officials contact their local PTACs to identify contractors that can provide an unusual product or service or that will help to fulfill procurement goals for 8(a), HUBZone, Woman-owned or Veteran-owned businesses.
PTACs are called upon to help resolve problems with contractors or potential contractors, and their intervention has averted countless performance problems and contract protests.
PTACs are called upon to assist in the drafting of solicitations directed at small businesses or set-aside for specific categories of small business, such as 8(a) or HUBZone. They are also asked to work with large prime contractors to develop appropriate subcontracting plans.
Every day, federal acquisitions staff and agency small business specialists send vendors and potential vendors to their local PTACs for the many types of assistance they need to engage in the procurement process. Such referrals allow the acquisition personnel to devote their scarce resources to contracting rather than small business counseling.
Agency officials interested in PTAC assistance should contact their nearest PTAC office (See "Find a PTAC"). To explore national collaborative efforts, contact APTAC President Terri Bennett at president@aptac-us.org.
What Agency officials say about the PTACs:
"OBAN (Oklahoma Bid Assistance Network) and other PTACs provide an invaluable resource to small businesses ... . The outstanding, dedicated cadre of competent, capable professionals work daily to enable small businesses to secure Federal work. ... Their expertise and experience with Federal contracting is of immense, immediate benefit to the small businesses they assist. ... I have enjoyed working closely with many of the OBAN and PTAC coordinators/staff. Quite simply put -- my job would be significantly more challenging without OBAN and PTACs' unreserved support." Yolane Harsfield, US Army Corp of Engineers, Tulsa OK District
"The PTACs serve a vital role as they provide among many other things, useful guidance and assistance to businesses in completing the rigorous paperwork necessary for them to compete for opportunities. Since we serve the same constituency, the New England Region GSA and PTACS see our partnership as a crucial element in providing the road map to small businesses. ... This is important since we do not have sufficient businesses in these northern New England states who may provide the necessary goods and services that the GSA buys. The SBUC's limited resources make .. (the PTACs).. networking arm essential to our outreach efforts. ... Our partnership is successful and should be supported by all entities interested in leveling the playing field for small businesses."
France A. Lopez, Director, Small Business Utilization Center, GSA New England Region
"We have found that GCAP (Government Contract Assistance Program, Oregon's PTAC) provides a resource to small businesses that is not otherwise available from funded organizations, even through SBA. Other organizations lack the level of expertise in federal contracting and therefore are not effective in assisting small businesses in accessing government contracts or in resolving contracting problems. It is important to note that most of GCAP's counselors have previous experience as federal contracting officials, and the level of assistance that they offer to small businesses in invaluable and not available elsewhere without great expense."
Donald S. Matsuda, Deputy District Director, SBA Portland District Office
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