FLORIDA SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER AT IRSC
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opportunities — including
through its BidMatch
service — as well as provide
feedback on the business’
capability statement, proposal
and overall strategy.
PTAC and SBDC consultants
can help businesses work
smarter and come up with a
tailored strategy for pursuing
government contracts.
“Small businesses have
to do their research and
they have to strategize,”
said Althea Harris, the SBA’s
assistant district director for
marketing and Outreach
exercise off the Florida coast.
Area 1, in an earlier interview
with Florida SBDC at Florida International University. “It’s very
important to be ready and part of that means being financially
ready. You have to be able to afford the contract you want, you
have to make payroll before the government or a prime contractor
pays you. It means you have the right employees in place or
you know how to employ them quickly.
“Being ready also means understanding what value you bring
to the proposition, and not everyone is able to articulate that in
a way that is compelling,” Harris continued. “In what way are you
distinctly different and better than your competitors? Be very targeted
about the contracts you are going after. Understand what
it will cost you to pursue the contract. It is a business proposition
to pursue the federal money that will cost you time and money,
which is money and money.”
Being ready is important. Wilson performs what he calls a readiness
overview, a report for his clients that identifies the companies’
readiness to pursue government contracting.
“The report will generate the strong and weak aspects of the
business and give suggestions on how to improve the weaknesses,”
Wilson said. “This report gives them a resource to reflect
back on and identify how/what they have done to improve in
weak areas.”
Once his clients are ready, Wilson assists them in navigating
the administrative requirements/regulations, including qualifying
for and completing various certifications. He conducts marketing
research and shares opportunities, as well as keeps his clients
apprised of changes in processes, registration updates and new
requirements such as cybersecurity.
Florida SBDC consultants can help small businesses seeking
government contracting in a variety of ways, such as if the small
business needs working capital until it receives payment or if it
needs help with the operations side of HR as businesses ramp up
to service a big contract.
PTAC and SBDC work hand in hand to help out business owners
like Adams.
Looking ahead, Adams would like to work on succession
leadership planning and would like to seek SBDC help with that,
including training new management within the company.
“I would like to take part in consulting services to help mentor
a successor,” he said.
To other small business owners who are thinking about seeking
out the support of the SBDC, Adams said, “Go for it. SBDC supports
you well. If you listen, you will find the path to success.” v
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