A: GENERAL SMALL BUSINESS (SB) SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS
Who buys what you are selling? There are a number of organizations
that can help you answer that question and in many instances, provide you
additional tips to maximize your chances of success. Most are provided by
federal government agencies, but there are also many excellent private companies
who can help address that question. We have listed below some of the major
government-related sources; most sites also list the SB contact points and
in some cases, buyer and commodity listings also. Here is a very good starting point.
This site is the official business link to the U.S. Government. In addition
to the information on the website, there are several links to many other
government websites. Helpful sections within this website can be found below
in TABLE 1.
A-1. Small Business Administration
The Small Business Administration (SBA) is
the agency charged with helping small businesses (SBs) and has a wealth of
information, not only in the area of government contracting, but also in
more infrastructure related areas about issues connected with the business
per se. In this document, we will only address the government contracting. TABLE
2 lists helpful websites offered by the SBA.
A-2. Office of Small & Disadvantaged Business Utilization
The Federal Government Office of Small and
Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) is charted to help
small businesses receive government prime contracts and subcontracts. OSDBU
has offices nationwide. Click here for a list of contact information for each Federal OSDBU Office.
A-3. Minority Business Development Centers
The Minority Business Development Agency(MBDA) is
chartered to assist minority businesses, as the agency promotes the growth
of businesses owned by ethnic minorities.
- NEDA Business Consultants, Inc is New Mexico's Statewide Minority Business Development Center funded by the Minority Business
Development Agency (MBDA) of the U.S. Department of Commerce. With offices
in Albuquerque, NM, and El Paso, TX, NEDA provides a wide range
of services and is available to assist small and minority business owners
in achieving their full potential.
A-4. Small Business Development Centers
New Mexico has 18 Small Business Development
Centers, additional information about SBDCs can be found at NMSBDC. NMSBDC is a partnership of the US Small Business Administration, the state of
New Mexico, the New Mexico Association of Community Colleges, and the private
sector. They provide free assistance in the following areas:
- Business planning, marketing, and financing
- International trade—import and export
- Women and minority-owned business programs
- Veterans’ information programs.
A-5. Procurement Technical Assistance Centers
Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTAC) are
national resources, comprised of procurement professionals who provide assistance
toSBs. Local offices are distributed across the country.
- Listing of New Mexico Procurement Assistance Centers
- PTAC’s website, describes the range of services they can provide to small businesses is located. Most services are provided free of charge.
A-6. Local Small Business Resources
There are numerous local economic development organizations,
business incubators, SB associations, etc., that provide a wide range of
assistance to small businesses. Assistance provided includes: counseling,
classes, space, etc. All are resources that should be considered by SBs.
Local SB resources are listed below in TABLE 3.
A-7. National Minority Supplier Development Council
The National Minority Supplier Development
Council (NMSDC) is a national organization that links major corporations
and minority businesses.
- Links to their regional councils
A-8. Chambers of Commerce
Local Chambers of Commerce are listed
below in TABLE 4.
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