Federal, state and local government contracts are lucrative sources of revenue for businesses, but getting started can be daunting. Each request for proposals has its own set of requirements; each level of government adds layers of clauses, information, legal descriptions and regulations to the process.
In Colorado Springs there’s help for businesses seeking work with the city’s four military bases, its county and city governments and the state of Colorado. The name says it all: The Colorado Procurement Technical Assistance Center, headquartered in Colorado Springs, thanks in no small part to the presence of Fort Carson, Schriever Air Force Base, Peterson AFB, Cheyenne Mountain Air Station and the Air Force Academy.
The PTAC, headed up by Executive Director Dennis Casey, has offices in Westminster, Aurora, Fort Collins and Golden. Its counselors will go anywhere in the state. The Colorado PTAC is one of 92 similar centers around the nation. Some are statewide; others are tied to a geographic location. The one in the Springs, opened in 2009, is a rarer form: a nonprofit relying on a mix of public and private dollars, Casey said.
“We have a funding bill,” he said. “The state gives us $200,000. We’re partially funded by the Defense Logistics Agency and we have some private money as well.”
For companies ready to take the leap into contracting for government services, the steps are easy, Casey said. It starts with a visit to a website, ColoradoPTAC.org.
Upcoming events
Tuesday, May 23
Solicitation Strategies
Learn how to create a successful proposal, free, 1-3:30 p.m.,
PTAC headquarters, 1675 Garden of the Gods Road.
Thursday, June 8
Intro to PTAC
Learn more about what PTAC can do for business, 8:30-11 a.m.,
PTAC headquarters, 1675 Garden of the Gods Road.
Thursday, June 15
Small Business Administration preference program
Learn how the SBA awards preference points, 9-11:30 a.m., PTAC headquarters, 1675 Garden of the Gods Road.
