Selling to the government
Government agencies and large corporations buy the same things most businesses do; professional services, supplies, landscaping services and so on. Selling to government agencies can be tricky, and that’s where Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTAC) come in to play. PTAC offices provide small businesses throughout the region with assistance in submitting and understanding bidding opportunities and contracts. Often, they also support minority-owned businesses in earning certifications.
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s Center for Industrial Services is a local resource that can help answer any questions you have about getting started selling to the government.
Becoming certified
Certification programs can help you market your business to both large businesses and governments. Many large corporations and governmental entities set-aside a percentage of their purchasing contracts for small businesses, minority and women owned businesses. Becoming “certified” as one or more of these types of businesses enables a company to bid on contracting opportunities. MWBE.com offers a description of certification.
Most government entities will require a company to go through a streamlined or shortened verification process that is specific to that agency. Certification can take from 30 to 90 days.
Resource organizations that assist in procurement and certification can be found in the Resource Navigator.