U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION THE OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT CONTRACTING GOVERNMENT CONTRACTING & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Michael L. Barrera (A)Associate Deputy Administrator GC/BD

President George W. Bush Every new business starts with an idea for a better product or process. These ideas become reality only when confident entrepreneurs are willing to take economic risks.

SBA ADMINISTRATOR HECTOR V. BARRETO "I think it's very, very important that we at the SBA be known as your partner. That's something that's very important to me when I came on board the SBA. It was important to change the image of what government can be like. It's important for us at the SBA not only to be your partner, to be your advocate and to be also the agency that you count on to respond to your needs."

THE PROCUREMENT ACADEMY PROCUREMENT ACADEMY “Steps to Accessing Contracts and Subcontracts”

COURSE DESIGN This course will assist small businesses that want to sell their products and services to the Federal Government. The course has five modules: –Getting Started –Identify Your Customer –Develop Your Market Strategy –Compete For Contract –Perform For Success Each module provides keys for services and the ability to check your knowledge.

GETTING STARTED This module is the navigational tool for the entire course. This tool moves the user from module to module. The tool links to useful websites (e.g., PRO-Net/CCR, fedbizopps.gov, OSDBU offices)

IDENTIFY YOUR CUSTOMER This module: –provides information on major Federal agencies and the types of goods and services they procure. –Provides information on how SBA can assist small businesses –Emphasizes the importance of marketing an established product or service

DEVELOP YOUR MARKET STRATEGY This module: Provides tips on developing a good market strategy. Discusses how the Government buys goods and services. Provides links to finding procurement opportunities. Explains the role of SBA Resources (District Offices, Area Government Contracting Offices) in assisting small businesses

COMPETE FOR CONTRACTS This module: Provides a simple and easy way to understand the Overview of the Federal Contracting Process. Outlines the steps for writing a good proposal or submitting bids to compete for a Federal Procurement Opportunity.

PERFORM FOR SUCCESS This module provides information on: Tracking progress. Meeting delivery schedules. Submitting invoices. Getting paid. Good performance is the key to future Federal business! Good performance is the key to future Federal business!