PROCUREMENT: Business AWARDS

...more artistic musings

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Procurement awards are available on county, state and federal levels.  CLASSICAL Decorative Arts interest in Procurement Awards Program began with a chance invitation to attend workshop held by B2B. This company assists the recipient through the procurement paperwork and submission process.

Author’s Note: Although this article was written several years ago, the information still applies and remains relevant today.

Today we felt ready to attend a Business Match Making Workshop that was held at Donald E. Stephens Convention Center near Chicago’s International Airport complex.

Arriving early to take advantage of this free marketing forum being offered to small businesses we surmised that the check-in went smoothly because registration had been required weeks before. Consequently, appointments were scheduled the day before for Classical Decorative Arts to interview with the City of Chicago, Metra Transit Authority and Duke Reality.

Every representative that we spoke to was extremely helpful and professional. However, it became apparent that we were missing necessary information (hard to believe). The company name needs to be registered with the city. Once this action is completed we can begin to apply to all the companies who might be interested in using our various services. Therefore, becoming certified is extremely necessary not only the City of Chicago, Metra Transit Authority but with any registration that the independent construction company require as well. A registered company qualifies as a vender. Attending the Business Match Making Workshop supplied valuable information that will enable CLASSICAL DECORATIVE ARTS to move forward with the procurement program. Driving home that evening our heads were spinning with all the possibilities and helpful assistance that would be available to our small business. Our next step was to remain focused taking one step at a time and be determined to follow the plan.

To Be Continued

PROJECT BACKGROUND

Interest in Procurement Awards Program began with a chance invitation to attend workshop held by B2B. This company assists the recipient through the procurement paperwork and submission process. However, they also charge a hefty fee for doing it. While I have no doubt that monies can be justified I wanted to see if the procedure could be handled independently, without the assistance of a paid service. After providing skills to both the private and public sector for fifteen years there was no doubt that CLASSICAL was technically capable and that the business would qualify. But, I was at a total loss as how to begin and going to this informative workshop would at least give me a direction on how to get started.

Procurement awards are available on county, state and federal levels. But, what is actually available to a Small Business providing services? How do companies such as CLASSICAL get on the list as an independent contractor so that they can submit bids to federal, state and local government? Being interested in working this area for over four years I could only take CLASSICAL DECORATIVE ARTS so far. But, I did understand that by law a certain amount of procurement awards must go to the small business and that a designated amount of money needs to be disbursed yearly on federal, state and local levels. Therefore, I did what was readily understood and somewhat easy to obtain. Quite successfully and without too much difficulty I secured the Duns number, SIC Codes, SCIS, TPIN, Cage Code, NAICS, MPIN. In addition, the Product Service Codes, Federal Supply Classification and Small Business User ID numbers were required. Oh, lest I forget I am also registered with the local Small Business Organization and located the nearest SCORE office.

FORMS REQUIRED TO SUBMIT BIDS TO FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Since attending that chance workshop I had been fortunate to have spoken directly with Mr. Watley from the Smithsonian Institute and Ms. Caroline Alderson, Chief Architect of Historical Buildings.