Conference Theme: “Connecting Business and Government to Strengthen the Nation’s Industrial Base”
The Association of Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (APTAC) will hold its Fall 2017 Training Conference from November 5- 8, 2017 in Washington, DC. The Training Conference will be held at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill, 400 New Jersey Ave NW.
There are several barriers to success for small businesses seeking to sell to the government, especially for those new to the government contracting process. The scrutiny is high and the learning curve is steep. This might help explain why the number of first-time vendors entering the marketplace fell to a 10-year low in fiscal year 2016. This dramatic decline is ringing alarm bells for lawmakers and government agencies that rely on a robust pool of firms to provide the products and services they need.
PTACs are critical to helping ensure that the government has access to a flourishing private sector industrial base. PTACs help ensure these firms are ready to enter the marketplace suitably prepared to succeed. Armed with realistic expectations, access to market intelligence, effective strategies, and technical assistance on how to find, bid, win, and perform, PTAC clients compete effectively and efficiently. Understanding the rules, they control risk and uncover opportunities.
To meet this mission, PTACs require ongoing, up-to-date training on the most effective strategies for helping the firms in our regions.
Presentation Topics: APTAC is now accepting presentation proposals from engaging and experienced experts to address our conference theme in topical areas such as the following:
- Exploration of FAR 52.200+ clauses found in the System for Award Management
- Contract Types: What are the different contract types and how do they impact the RFP process (Firm Fixed Price, Cost Reimbursement, etc.)
- Contract Compliance Issues Impacting Small Businesses
- Compliant Accounting Systems/Accounting Controls (for non-CPAs)
- Understanding the Uniform Contract Format and Other Contract Structures
- Cyber Security Standards – How Can Small Businesses Prepare and Compete?
- Proposal Development Best Practices
- The Business Impact of the New Administration: How are Procurement Opportunities Shifting?
- Contracting Implications for Increased Use of MACs and GWACs
- How to Create Value and Differentiators in the Government Marketplace
- Changes in Government Contracting Regulations: What’s new and what’s gone?
- Open submittal – you are invited to submit topics relevant to government contracting
Audience: The members of APTAC – representatives of Procurement Technical Assistance Centers – are an elite, national corps of individuals who provide training, counseling and technical assistance to businesses interested in selling products/services to the public sector. APTAC members work with businesses to identify opportunities, provide training on a broad array of topics related to Government procurement, as well as providing technical assistance related to Government programs and acquisition. The goal of this conference is to provide APTAC members with practical tools, techniques and resources that can be directly used to guide businesses in understanding how to meet the Government sector’s current standards and thereby become more successful in the Government marketplace. Attendance at the Training Conference is estimated at 300-350 persons, representing PTACs hosted by colleges and universities, economic development organizations, non-profits, and units of state and local government from across the country.
Please see our full Call for Presentations for details on submitting a session proposal!
For help with Government Contracting: contact your nearest Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC). Funded through Cooperative Agreements between the U.S. Department of Defense and state and local governments/institutions, PTACs provide free and low-cost assistance in virtually all areas of government contracting.