Learn the basics of government contracting! The U.S. Government is the world’s largest buyer of products and services. Purchases by military and civilian installations in FY20 amounted to over $600 billion, and included everything from complex space vehicles to janitorial services. Goods and services provided by the private sector are critically important for government operations. By law, federal agencies are required to establish small business contracting goals. Currently at least 23% of all government buys should be awarded to small businesses. Combine the federal marketplace with state and local government agencies, the total government marketplace tops $7 Trillion in annual spend. Unfortunately, for a small business the procurement process can be complex and challenging to navigate. The Illinois PTAC at Bradley University wants this marketplace to be as accessible as possible. As a result, we are offering this webinar for those newly considering government contracting. The content will enhance your basic understanding of the procurement process and introduce resources to help you determine if this customer is a good fit for your business. We will discuss our no-cost bid matching service, necessary vendor registrations (at all governmental levels- SAM, IPG, etc.), and tools such as small business certifications that can help you succeed. Who should attend: Newly hired or re-assigned professionals in all government contracting roles at all levels and all sizes of organizations Businesses and organizations who are exploring or have acquired a government contract - either as a prime contractor or a subcontractor Specialists who have been working in limited areas of procurement; those who have not had the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the total picture Experienced professionals needing an effective refresher, to be brought up-to-date on new rules, procedures, rights, and remedies Contract and subcontract administrators, program and project managers, accounting and finance professionals, general counsel and corporate and government attorneys, among others. Topic Points: History of government acquisitions Awareness of statutes, laws and regulations Identifying the different types of contracts State of IL contracting Obtain basic knowledge on small business certifications Presented by: Keli Krueger-Huhra, Director, Illinois PTAC at Bradley University Co-Sponsors: Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center (IMEC); Minority Business Development Center (MBDC); SCORE-Peoria