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Archive for July, 2014

Government Contracting: Uncle Sam Needs Your Business

Wednesday, July 30th, 2014

NHPTAPThe government is an untapped market in need of what New Hampshire businesses produce and there is assistance available for those companies who would like to do business with Uncle Sam.

The New Hampshire Procurement Technical Assistance Program (PTAP) offers free training and events to help businesses of all sizes tap into this viable market. (Click on the free training link for upcoming events).

“The US government spent over $100 billion on contracts with small businesses last year,” said David Pease, program manager of NH-PTAP.

The introductory and training seminars PTAP conducts are held in every region of the state, many aimed at the specific types of businesses in those regions that can fill the various needs of the government.

For example, in the Seacoast area, there are contracts for painting, environmental services and more. Around Keene and Claremont, there are companies that could fill the government’s needs for parks maintenance with landscaping, fuel delivery and other project opportunities. In the Manchester area, there is a constant need for companies to handle security contracts, hospitality services and more. The Lakes Region needs caterers and the North Country needs food products for the federal prison in Berlin. In all these areas, the government could do with contracts for commercial real estate.

With all these opportunities available what is holding New Hampshire businesses back from reaching for the government contacts available? For many, it is the intimidating rules and regulations that come with these contracts.

“The reason PTAP exists is because the government is a very large market and it is so different from regular business,  that it takes knowledge to be competitive,” Pease said.

This is where NH-PTAP becomes a valuable resource.

NH-PTAP assisted a company in Dover that makes strap-based products in securing a government contract to make seatbelts for shopping carts. In Epping, a fire arms training school won a federal contract to teach various classes. Up north in Dalton, Team O’Neil won a contract to instruct US Special Forces in high level driving skills.

What need can your product fill for the government? Contact NH-PTAP at 603-271-7581 or online. If you have any questions, contact Amanda Duquette or call 603-271-7581.

 

Alicia Gagne

Intern

NH Division of Economic Development

 

 

New England Governors, Eastern Canadian Premiers Meet in New Hampshire

Tuesday, July 15th, 2014

Once a year, the governors of the six New England states and premiers of the five eastern provinces of Canada come together for a day to look at the common issues and challenges they face … and ways to solve them.

This year, for the first time in about 20 years, they met in New Hampshire, at the Omni Mount Washington Hotel (where, by the way, delegates from 44 Allied nations met 70 years ago this month to stabilize Europe and the world following World War II). By the end of the day at the 38th annual conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers, the leaders adopted resolutions relating to energy, economic development and transportation.

“The economies of the New England states and Eastern Canadian provinces are linked, and further collaboration on economic development and energy will help create jobs, protect our natural resources and improve the economies of all our states and provinces,” said Gov. Maggie Hassan, who co-hosted the event with Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Tom Marshall.

Conference1

Christopher Wrenn, NHADEC ~ Commissioner Jeffery Rose

Discussing the regional economy was a priority of Hassan’s and she assembled a panel from both sides of the border for the session, Strengthening Partnerships for Regional Economic Development, which was moderated by Commissioner Jeffrey Rose of the Department of Resources and Economic Development.

Aerospace was one of the topics and was a great platform for discussion of New Hampshire’s efforts in helping one of its fastest growing industries take off. Christopher Wrenn, chairman of the New Hampshire Aerospace and Defense Export Consortium, talked about the organization’s evolution over the past 18 months, including the signing of an MOU last December with AeroMontreal, concluding that the consortium “is poised to do great things.”

Martin LaFleur, a senior director with AeroMontreal, called it a “promising partnership,” in line with his organization’s goal of establishing an aerospace corridor in the northeast.

“Our competition isn’t between ourselves,” he said, “but emerging countries.”

At the conclusion of the session, the governors and premiers agreed on an economic development resolution. It calls for the NEG/ECP’s coordinating committee to establish a process of identifying challenges to regional economic development and trade, as well as opportunities enhancing the region’s competitiveness.

Expect an interim report due at next year’s conference in St. John, Newfoundland, and a final report at the 2016 conference.

The other resolutions include: Directing the Northeast International Committee on Energy to organize a Regional Forum in late 2014 for a public-private sector dialogue on the ongoing changes to the region’s energy landscape and the Transportation and Air Quality Committee  to continue its work to enhance transportation choices.

 

Lorna Colquhoun

Communications Director

NH Division of Economic Development

Add the Government to Your Client List – Sign up for a FREE PTAP Seminar

Wednesday, July 2nd, 2014

Government contracting.

These two words can be intimidating, especially for small businesses that can’t dedicate a team to keep up with the ever-changing rules and regulations that guide the process.

Intimidation aside, however, the fact is government contracting offers a steady revenue stream from a reliable business partner. Obtaining a government contract can be a timely and complicated process, but typically turns out to be more than rewarding for the effort expended.

PrintAnd while a small business may not have the acumen to navigate the process itself, it can count on help – free help – from the New Hampshire Procurement and Technical Assistance Program (NH-PTAP).

NH-PTAP provides technical assistance, workshops and training events aimed at small businesses, educating them about the process. Our staff maintains a calendar of training seminars, which are held all over the state.

The government buys a huge variety of products and services and businesses considering adding it as a customer should carve out time to attend an informative seminar in Keene on July 10, Introduction to Government Contracting and Support Services.

Think of it as Government Contracting 101. Those attending will get an idea of what government contracting is, what it entails and how NH-PTAP can help. The seminar will cover the structure, scale and diversity of government contracting; how it differs from business-to-business contracting; getting through red tape and other solutions. Businesses will also get an assessment of how ready they are for government contracting and setting realistic expectations as they get started.

On July 17, the Subcontractor Training seminar is offered in Berlin, which is one event beneficial for businesses looking to get their foot in the door on government contracting, or just wants a better understanding of what it might entail. Topics covered include how to partner with a company already contracting with the government and how to do business with the prime contractors.

As the dog days of summer come on, it’s a good time for businesses to take a look at their goals and plans for the rest of the year and government contracting may well offer a great opportunity to expand and grow.

For more information and to register online, visit the NH-PTAP website or call program manager David Pease at 271-7581.

 

Alicia Gagne

Intern

NH Division of Economic Development