Wyoming Business Tips for Dec. 16

A weekly look at issues facing Wyoming business owners and entrepreneurs from the Wyoming Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network, a collection of business assistance programs at the University of Wyoming.

By Andi Lewis, Procurement Technical Assistance Center program manager, Wyoming SBDC Network

Whether you’re new to government contracting or you’ve been doing it for a while, there are some new steps you need to take to thoroughly research your opportunities.

A recently launched website now serves as the official point of entry for all government contracts valued at more than $25,000. Anyone interested in doing business with the government can use https://beta.sam.gov for researching government contracting opportunities.

The move is due to a consolidation of 10 federal government websites -- including www.fbo.gov -- and will provide better security, data quality and convenience for users. Furthermore, the change will reduce barriers for doing business with the government, reduce reporting burden and increase transparency into federal spending.

Each contract opportunity found in the new website provides the following information:

-- The original notice and any related notices.

-- A notice history that includes updates and tracking changes.

-- Any related attachments or external links.

-- Instructions on how to submit a response, offer or proposal.

-- The date on which responses are due.

Other items listed on https://beta.sam.gov include additional notices, small business events and vendor collaboration opportunities.

If you would like assistance signing up for the new process or to begin competing for contracts with the government, contact your local Wyoming SBDC Network adviser at wyomingsbdc.org. All Wyoming SBDC Network services are completely confidential and offered at no cost to Wyoming residents.

The Wyoming SBDC Network offers business expertise to help Wyoming residents think about, launch, grow, reinvent or exit their businesses. The Wyoming SBDC Network is hosted by UW with state funds from the Wyoming Business Council and funded, in part, through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.

To ask a question, call 1-800-348-5194, email wsbdc@uwyo.edu, or write 1000 E. University Ave., Dept. 3922, Laramie, WY 82071-3922.