Contact Us
Institutional Communications
Bureau of Mines Building, Room 137
Laramie, WY 82071
Phone: (307) 766-2929
Email: cbaldwin@uwyo.edu
Published February 21, 2020
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 Jake Dixon, marketing manager, Wyoming SBDC Network
Small businesses in almost every industry can expand their market through government contracting due to the large scope of products and services being sought by local, state and federal agencies. Every year, millions of dollars are set aside for small businesses in our state to provide food services, construction services and more.
You may have heard about the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD) program that is intended to replace the Minuteman III missile system at the F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne and at other locations. While the details of the GBSD program are still being determined, there are many other opportunities available right now to expand your market to include the world’s largest customer -- the U.S. government.
For example, government agencies are currently looking for small businesses in Wyoming to provide HVAC maintenance in Worland; community treatment services in Casper; and roof and paint upgrades in Fort Washakie, just to name a few.
There are steps that need to be taken before you can work with the government, and the Wyoming Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) can help you through each step at no cost. You also will want to start gaining government contracting experience now to prove your business’s ability to deliver and to increase your chances of winning future contracts. To be prepared to compete for federal contracts, businesses will need to:
-- Obtain a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number.
-- Register in the System for Award Management (SAM).
-- See whether they qualify for any socioeconomic programs.
-- Learn how to respond to solicitations.
-- Meet certain cybersecurity standards or other requirements depending on the agency they are working with.
It may seem overwhelming at first, but an upcoming GRO-Biz Conference in Cheyenne March 25 will serve as your best opportunity of the year to learn how to get started and how to successfully compete for a contract. The conference will give you a chance to meet individually with a large selection of procurement representatives from various government agencies. There also are eight training sessions to choose from and several networking opportunities.
To learn more or to reserve your early registration discount for this event, visit www.wyomingsbdc.org/grobiz.
For more information or to receive no-cost assistance now, you can contact your local PTAC or Wyoming SBDC Network adviser at www.wyomingsbdc.org/sign-up.
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.
Contact Us
Institutional Communications
Bureau of Mines Building, Room 137
Laramie, WY 82071
Phone: (307) 766-2929
Email: cbaldwin@uwyo.edu