Selling to Government
 As your business grows, there may come a time when you want to branch out and find new markets. One area often overlooked by small businesses is government purchasing.
Federal, state, local and international governments can be important customers for your business, and selling to them is easier than you might think.
Empire State Development's (ESD) Division for Small Business works with New York State small businesses to help them take advantage of contracting opportunities. ESD offers the following procurement assistance services:
- assist businesses to compete for state contracts;
- procurement workshops;
- guidance on how to be placed on bidders' lists;
- provides lists of New York State subcontractors and suppliers.
For more information, call 518-292-5220 or email esd
smallbus@empire.state.ny.us
The New York State
Contract Reporter authorized by Chapter 564 of the Laws of 1988, is the official weekly on-line newsletter for contracting announcements for $15,000 or more with state entities. The Contract Reporter also contains announcements for the State University of New York and the City University of New York for contracts of $20,000 or more. Notices are published only once, and with the exception of villages, municipalities, the Port Authority of NY/NJ and other organizations who are not bound by law, at least 15 business days prior to the date on which the bid or proposal is due.
The New York State Office of General Services awards to businesses contracts to be used by state agencies, political subdivisions and other organizations authorized by law to purchase from these state contracts. The contracts provide lists of vendors to agencies to purchase materials, equipment and supplies, services and technology, and telecommunications. To be placed on the OGS email list and receive bid notices, complete an Online Vendor Registration process. The OGS Design & Construction Group provides a full range of architectural, engineering and construction management services to state agencies and maintains the bid documents and contracts for these projects.
The Office of the State Comptroller issues a "Directory of Frequently Purchased Commodities and Services by New York State Agencies". This publication lists agency purchasing agents, their contact information and frequent purchases. To request a copy write to the Office of State Comptroller, 110 State Street, Human Resource Office, Albany, NY 12236 or by telephone 518-473-1368 (Albany) or 212-417-4361 (New York City).
For information on doing business with:
New York State Department of Transportation
New York State Thruway Authority
New York State University Construction Fund
Dormitory Authority State of New York
Federal Government
FedBizOpps.gov is the single point-of-entry for federal buyers to publish solicitations and for vendors to find posted federal business opportunities across departments and agencies. All procurement opportunities over $25,000 are listed.
Central Contractor Registration (CCR) In the past, any vendor who wanted to do business with more than one Department of Defense (DoD) location was required to submit the same business information to each and every site. This redundant paperwork created an administrative burden for the government and vendors. CCR was created to be the single repository of vendor data for the entire DoD.
U. S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) The "Open for Business" web page centralizes information to let every business in America know how to work with DHS. This web page is intended to complement - not duplicate or replace - mandatory government-wide portals such as FedBizOpps and the CCR. All vendors should continue to use the mandatory vendor access portals and use DHS's Open for Business to help navigate and better understand business mechanisms and relationships with DHS. Click on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and then on Business.
DHS Science and Technology's Divisions Homeland Security Advanced Research Projects Agency (HSARPA) invests in programs offering the potential for revolutionary changes in technology that promote homeland security and accelerate the prototyping and deployment of technologies that reduce homeland vulnerabilities. HSARPA has released a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) site that lists current and past solicitations, as well as workshops.
SUBNet is an SBA-created tool for small businesses to search and find subcontracting opportunities from prime contractors.
U.S. Business Advisor is a one-stop access to federal government information, services, and transactions including selling to government.
Municipal and County Governments
Most municipalities and county governments have web sites on the internet. To locate a web site for a specific local government entity, visit http://www.nysegov.com/citGuide.cfm, and then click on the government button. Listed is a link for local government information which will bring you to municipalities and county web sites.
New York City procurement information can be found at: New York City
Other States and Countries
The National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO) is a non-profit association dedicated to strengthening the procurement community through education, research, and communications. On this site you will find contact information on procurement directors in all 50 states.
The United Nations Procurement Division
Canada's purchasing entity, Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC), handles procurement for many federal and provincial agencies. PWGSC uses the MERX electronic tendering service, accessible by subscription, to solicit proposals.
The U.S. Department of Commerce offers essential information on the European Union's procurement markets.
Technical Assistance
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offers help for government contracting. The SBA has four main programs: Prime Contracting Assistance; Subcontracting Assistance; Government Property Sales Assistance; and the Certificate of Competency Program. These programs assist small businesses to obtain a fair share of federal government contracts, subcontracts, and property sales.
Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTA Centers) is a local resource providing assistance to businesses in marketing products and services to the federal, state and local governments.
New York State Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) also provides assistance to businesses to sell to government.
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