If you are a small business owner worried about your first foray into the federal marketplace, the help you need is available from the Association of Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (APTAC). 

Earlier in the year “The PRICE Act” (Promoting Rigorous and Innovative Cost Efficiencies for Federal Procurement and Acquisitions) became federal law. With support from APTAC, its purpose is to ensure that small businesses are at the forefront of the US government’s acquisition process.

APTAC was among a broad coalition of groups that supported the bipartisan bill led by U.S. Senators Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Gary Peters (D-MI).

The Act helps to entice government organizations to adopt fresh ideas, boost small businesses’ participation in government contracts, modernize the federal acquisition process, and report on how to enhance mission outcomes and save taxpayer money.

This all fits in well with the mission of APTAC, a professional organization made up of 93 Procurement Technical Assistance Centre Programs (PTAC). 

As a strategic necessity for economic cohesion in the country, the PTAC programs are funded by the Pentagon’s Defense Logistics Agency (DLA). A countrywide network of committed procurement specialists, comprised of the 93 PTACs and over 300 local offices, works to support small businesses in their efforts to compete in the federal market successfully. 

These programs can provide access to vital information for your firm, which includes opportunities for networking with other professionals, in-depth training opportunities, and a voice in national policy and contractual arenas.

To optimize quick, dependable service to the government with better quality and at lower prices, PTACs serve as the link between buyer and supplier, bringing to bear their understanding of government procurement and contractors’ capabilities. Reach out and you’ll be put in touch with a counselor who has access to more than 500 professionals through an APTAC network. You’ll also be informed about any new requirements or initiatives.

“APTAC members frequently share their own best practices with each other, which lends itself to invaluable information gained from the experience of others. APTAC and its members applaud actions taken for the betterment of government contracting—for our government and the private sector,” explained Terrie Willians, President, APTAC.

The barriers to entry for small enterprises seeking to compete in the federal market are frequently high. This is especially true for small businesses run by women, veterans, minorities, and other disadvantaged groups. 

Would you like to get help in person? Every year, APTAC organizes two significant, nationwide training events. Usually, 250–300 PTAC specialists from across the nation attend APTAC Conference. APTAC Training Events are the perfect setting for agencies, organizations, and suppliers to inform PTAC professionals across the country about their programs, goods, or services.

The Fall training will be held in November this year in Washington, DC, and the Spring training to be conducted in April 2023 in San Diego, CA.

In 2019, APTAC and the PTACs helped small businesses win over $24 billion in government contracts and sub-contracts. An instance of their advantageous assistance can be seen in the recent success of Rudinec and Associates. Rudinec & Associates was founded in 1975 as a studio for commercial photography. Recently, they requested assistance from the Mahoning Valley PTAC (in Youngstown, Ohio) to enter the federal market. The U.S. Navy contacted them and requested a quote for digitizing services through PTAC. For them to rapidly receive payment, the PTAC also assisted with concerns related to shipping and packaging and guided them through the challenging iRAPT procedure.

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