2008 Utah Procurement Symposium
Break Out Session Descriptions

One Hour Presentations (8:30 - 9:30)

1. Getting Started in PTAC and Procurement

The State of Utah will have two PTAC (Procurement Technical Assistance Center) Regional Managers that will address the benefits of the PTAC Program. The presentation will center on the benefits and assistance that are offered to Utah companies. You will learn about the "Bid Match System" which will search the Internet for solicitations and bids that fit your company's business profile. Other topics such as workshops, conferences, counseling, and contracting partnerships will also be covered.



2. E-Verify Employment Verification System

In June of 2008, President George W. Bush signed an executive order which directs all federal departments and agencies to require contractors, as a condition of each future federal contract, to agree to use an electronic system to verify workers' employment eligibility. Specifically in Utah, state and local contractors are also affected by Senate Bill 81 which requires the use of E-Verify beginning July 1, 2009. This session will discuss what E-Verify is, and how it fits into the larger picture of immigration prosecutions and raids. Other topics covered:
• Compliance with the Immigration and Reform Act
• Social Security No-Match Letters
• National Origin and Citizenship Discrimination
• Exploring options to legally employ immigrant workers

3. SBA Procurement Center Representative Overview

SBA has a nationwide cadre of procurement professionals who are charged with assisting small businesses and acting as their advocates at both the prime and subcontracting levels. Procurement Center Representatives (PCRs) assist small firms interested in doing business directly with Federal agency buying offices. Additionally, the PCR works directly with major federal contracting activities to ensure a fair portion of purchase orders, contracts and subcontracts are awarded to small business. PCRs get involved early in the acquisition process and make recommendations for procurement set-asides for HUBZones, 8(a), Service Disabled Veteran Owned and small business firms. He needs to know who you are and what your capabilities are in order to assist you. Do you know who the SBA's Procurement Center Representative for the state of Utah is? This session will introduce you to him and provide an overview of the PCR roles and responsibilities and how he can be an advocate for your business.



4. Business to Business in the Commercial Market

This panel discussion will give you greater insight in how companies from the private and commercial sector do business with sub-contractors, suppliers and vendors. You will have the opportunity to hear how these companies and organizations pick and choose vendors and sub-contractors. Learn what they are looking for in a business relationship and then put these principles to work when you are presenting yourself and your company. We will have representatives from Layton Construction, Woodbury Corporation and the LDS Church.

Hour and a Half Presentations (10:30 - 12:00)

1. Government Certifications That Generate Business - Learn How to Certify

This program will give you a "hands on" overview of the processes and procedures that will enable your company to get certifications (such as 8a) that will give you an edge in the procurement marketplace. You will learn how to go through the certification process and come away with detailed knowledge that will facilitate and expedite your company's certification.



2. ISO 9000:2000 and AS9100 Certification Overview

Confused about ISO standards? Don't be. This session will take the mystery away from the above subjects. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) maintains the ISO 9000 family of quality standards. Certification and accreditation is performed by a host of third parties. Any company who provides a product, service or software can become "certified". Working with government agencies, or prime contractors, ISO certification can get you into "doors" that previously were closed to you. This session will be an overview of ISO 9000:2000, and include information on required documents, procedures and auditing.

AS9100 is based on ISO 9000:2000, but with an additional 27 requirements unique to the aerospace industry. The Aerospace Basic Quality System Standard was developed by a group of U.S. aerospace prime contractors. If you are in the aerospace supply chain and want to improve your position, or are thinking about bidding on aerospace related contracts, then you should attend this session to understand the requirements to successfully compete in this industry.



3. SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) and STTR (Small Business Technology Transfer) Federal Grant Program Overview

All small and medium size businesses, and those who have an innovative business idea, should attend this session. You will have an opportunity to have questions answered during a Q&A session at the end of the presentation.

This presentation will introduce the State of Utah's SBIR/STTR Assistance Program (SSAP). This is a new state resource that has been created as part of Governor Jon Huntsman's USTAR initiative in partnership with the Governor's Office of Economic Development (GOED), the Small Business Administration (SBA), and Salt Lake Community College (SLCC). This program is designed to help small technology businesses win a larger share of SBIR/STTR federal grants. By assisting in all aspects of the grant process, from the initial search to final submission, as well as providing training workshops statewide, this program will provide assistance and expertise that will greatly enhance a company's chances of being awarded a grant.

Besides the new Assistance Program, other aspects of SBIR and STTR will be covered in detail. SBIR and STTR are an important source of early-stage "business research & development venture capital". SBIR and STTR are designed to stimulate technological innovation among small private-sector businesses while providing government entities with new, cost-effective, technical and scientific inventions and innovative prototypes leading to commercialization and marketing for the small business entities. With SBIR and STTR grants small business entities can:
• Fund innovative, high risk, early stage projects with no loss of equity and no pay back of the grant or contract funds;
• Fund R & D requirements of important and critical inventions and innovations that, in many instances, will not be considered by other types of venture funding;
• Retain full ownership of the technology, intellectual property, and equity ownership;
• Receive additional active support, through Phase III, for business planning, commercialization and possible venture capital funding; and,
• Establish a bid-advantage, sole source marketing position with the federal government and their contractors.

4. Sell Your Products or Services on the GSA Schedule

This presentation will consist of two parts. The first speaker is a business owner who has had extensive experience using the GSA schedule for more than six years.
You will get a vendor's eye view of what it is like to go through the application process, and the benefits, financial and otherwise, that can accrue to your company after getting on the GSA Schedule. You will gain knowledge of problems encountered, what to do, and what to avoid. You will learn how to evaluate some of the criteria that can help you decide whether or not your company should be on the GSA schedule.

The second speaker will address the following topics: Learn the Who, What, When, Where, and most importantly, the How of the GSA proposal process. Learn the common elements of most solicitations. Discover a six-step process that can guide you through your bid process and take away the three most important things you can do right now to prepare your company for a successful GSA proposal.



5. How to Write Winning Proposals

Technical Writing for Proposal Professionals is designed to teach participants how to strategize, organize, draft, and polish proposals and other documents using clear precise communication skills. Workshop participants will learn a proven process for developing winning proposals to Federal customers. Participants will learn how to create strategies and write proposal content that meets the proposal evaluation criteria.