Technical Assistance For Successful Government Contracting Comes to The Monterey Bay

Jan. 14, 2013 - PRLog -- Contact:   Nancy Martin, Executive Director
Monterey County Business Council
831-582-3235
nmartin@mcbc.biz

Technical Assistance For Successful Government Contracting Comes to
The Monterey Bay. Monterey County Business Council-Open For Business

Monterey, CA- The Monterey County Business Council (MCBC) announced that the U.S. Department of Defense, Defense Logistics Agency awarded the organization a $300,000.00 contract to open the Monterey Bay Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) in September 2012.  The Center is focused on assisting companies successfully bid on government (Federal, State and Local) contracts. PTACs are the bridge between buyer and supplier, bringing to bear their knowledge of both government contracting and the capabilities of contractors to maximize fast, reliable service to government entities with better quality and at lower costs.

The services provided by the PTAC are free and include:

•                               Determining suitability for Government contracting;
•                               Helping Clients secure necessary Federal, state & local registrations;
•                               Helping Clients obtain Federal & State small business certifications;
•                               Researching procurement histories;
•                               Providing Government Marketing advice;
•                               Identifying bid opportunities;
•                               Setting up free automated Federal, State & Local Government bid matching;
•                               Advising on Government procurement policies, rules & regulations;
•                               Conducting bid/proposal advice and review;
•                               Post award contract management & performance advice;
•                               Agency-supplier interface assistance; and
•                               Specialized training & workshops.

Business Council Board President, Mary Ann Leffel stated, “this service is an excellent tool for businesses to expand their markets and secure additional sales. We are thrilled that our application was approved and excited by the opportunities it brings to our communities. We are very grateful to the City of Salinas for providing the crucial match dollars necessary for us to qualify for this program. Without their partnership and support, this program would not be available here.”  Additional in-kind matches are provided by the City of Gonzales, Monterey Regional Airport, the MCBC and Five-Three technology services,

The Monterey Bay PTAC is staffed by Program Manager, Brooks Merritt and Procurement Specialist, Jeffrey Cuskey. They have extensive government contracting expertise as well as business counseling and teaching experience. The center is located in the Business Council offices on the CSU Monterey Bay campus.

Currently the PTAC is focused on the Monterey County area, but as the only center in California north of Los Angeles, the staff has assisted companies throughout California and has even performed services for businesses as far away as Louisiana.  “The first client the PTAC worked with was Paul Brown Plumbing, located in Salinas.  With staff guidance, they submitted a bid and were awarded a local construction contract. It was very satisfying for Brooks and Jeff to assist that company and to know that they are providing successful services” said Nancy Martin, Executive Director of the MCBC, “They are working with more than 50 companies within their confidential client registration data base already”.

To learn more about the services and opportunities of the Monterey Bay PTAC go to www.montereybayptac.com.The PTAC’s phone number is 831.582.3234 and the e-mail address is ptac@mcbc.biz.


PTAC Background
The Monterey Bay PTAC, a program of the Monterey County Business Council (MCBC), was established in September 2012 and serves Clients in the Monterey County, Central Coast, and Northern California geographic regions. We are one of four California PTACs (three are located in Southern California). One-hundred PTACs – with over 300 local offices – form a nationwide network of dedicated procurement professionals working to help local businesses compete successfully in the Government Marketplace.                
The Procurement Technical Assistance Program (PTAP) was authorized by Congress in 1985 in an effort to expand the number of businesses capable of participating in the Government Marketplace. Administered by the Department of Defense, Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), the program provides matching funds through cooperative agreements with state and local governments and non-profit organizations for the establishment of PTACs to provide procurement assistance. To that end, the Monterey Bay PTAC is dedicated to helping businesses contract with the Government.

About the Monterey County Business Council (MCBC)
The Monterey County Business Council was established in 1995 to foster a favorable business climate within Monterey County and create partnerships with government agencies toward that goal.  The MCBC has three main areas of focus:  Sustain and Expand  a diversified economic base throughout the County , Ensure the readiness of a highly skilled,  well educated workforce and Advocate for business  The MCBC has initiated several partnerships and programs such as Monterey Bay Economic Partnership, Central Coast Career Readiness Consortium; Monterey Bay Ambassadors , Monterey Bay 365, Step Up 2 Green ,Best Places to Work and the Institute for Innovation and Economic Development with CSU Monterey Bay. The 17th Annual Business Council Gala and Economic Vitality Awards will occur Saturday, February 2nd at the Hyatt Regency Hotel.  For more information about the Monterey County Business Council log on to www.mcbc.biz or call 831-582-3235.