Brooklyn, New York—Rep. Edolphus “Ed” Towns (D-NY, 10th), Chairman of the Government Management, Organization and Procurement Subcommittee, is hosting a Procurement Seminar to equip businesses with important information and resources about contracting with the federal, state and local government.  Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-NY, 12th), Chairwoman of the House Small Business Committee, is scheduled to attend and extend remarks. Panelists include representatives from the Professional Services Council, FedBid, U.S. Small Business Administration, Brooklyn International Trade Development Center, Empire State Development, NYS Office of General Services, NYC Small Business Development Center, and NYC Mayor’s Office of Contract Services.

“The goal of this urgent exchange is to foster awareness and improve understanding of the procurement process, so that every business – large, small, minority or women-owned – has an opportunity to bid on a government contract,” said Rep. Towns.  “I am looking forward to seeing new links forged between business and government as a result of today’s seminar.  This is just the beginning,” asserted Towns.

The United States government awards approximately $1 trillion in contracts, with $230 billion awarded to small businesses and $250 billion spent on acquisition of services.  New York State’s 2007 figures indicate that small businesses were awarded $2.4 billion in “goods and services contracts” while all other businesses were awarded $8.5 billion in “goods and services contracts.”  In Towns’ 10th Congressional District, small business awards constituted $7 million total, and all other business awards totaled $21.8 million.  In light of the enormity of prospective business opportunities, many small and minority businesses do not participate in the bidding for government contracts due to lack of information and disparity between the number of qualified minority and women-owned businesses and the actual number of such contractors engaged.

The seminar is free and open to all businesses who are seeking to learn more about procurement opportunities with the government.  Featured speakers will share their vast knowledge about how to become a contractor with the government; the types of services the government is seeking; benefits that contracting can provide to both business and government; preparing effective proposals; and, constructing timely, efficient, and profitable marketing strategies.

Towns concluded, “I hope that businesses will take advantage of this important opportunity to develop strategic relationships and explore opportunities to strengthen their businesses, which will ultimately help to stimulate our local economy.”

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