CONN/STEP
The Connecticut State Technology Extension Program (CONN/STEP).
CONN/STEP operates as Connecticut's Manufacturing
Extension Center under the U.S. Department of Commerce's
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
Manufacturing Extension Partnership program.
CONN/STEP helps Connecticut manufacturers apply advanced manufacturing and
management techniques to become more competitive, supporting the
growth of Connecticut's economy. Presently CONN/STEP has 24
Field Engineers on staff. Locally-based CONN/STEP field
engineers offer a wide range of technical backgrounds to help
Connecticut Manufacturers.
Procurement
Connecticut Procurement Technical
Assistance Program
The
Connecticut Procurement Technical Assistance Program provides marketing
and technical assistance to businesses seeking to sell, or currently
selling, goods and/or services to the Government (federal, state and
local). Assistance includes:
-
daily delivery of sales
opportunities (electronic bid match service between the client and
government solicitations from the Commerce Business Daily, the
Internet, and other sources)
-
marketing reports
identifying specific federal buying activities for particular goods
and/or services
-
technical and procurement
data indicating technical characteristics, applicability of
specifications/standards and procurement history on commodities
catalogued in the federal supply system
-
individual counseling
covering issues and topics such as understanding solicitations and
complying with proposal submittal requirements
-
needs/market assessments
-
preparing for and
participating in electronic commerce/electronic data interchange
-
electronic funds transfer
-
registration in the
federal Central Contractor Registration database
-
contract administration,
etc.
The Program also conducts
training seminars and conferences.
The
US Small Business Administration
also helps small business obtain government contracts through the
Agency's Procurement Assistance Division. This division assigns field
representatives to monitor compliance with the various public laws
enacted to assure that small businesses, throughout Connecticut, are
being given a fair and equitable opportunity to obtain an optimum share
of government contracts and subcontracts. Check out their website at
http://www.ccr.gov/ The
Bridgeport Economic Resource Center can help you complete applications
and other paperwork.
Connecticut Minority
Supplier Development Council, Inc. (CMSDC)
In Connecticut, there are 13, 435 minority-owned firms
representing 5.7 percent of the 237,705 total of all state businesses.
Minority owned business sales accounted for 2.1 percent ($1.5 billion)
of the state's $70.2 billion revenue total. The Connecticut Set-Aside
Programs for Small Businesses and firms owned by women or minorities
(Procurement Programs) helps ensure that these firms are patronized by
local, state and federal governments. Connecticut State law requires
that 25% of all State purchases of goods and services to be set aside
for small firms (i.e., those with less than $10 million in gross annual
revenues). Moreover, one-quarter of this 25% must be set aside for firms
owned by minorities, women and the physically challenged. The
Connecticut Department of Economic Development certifies companies as
eligible set-aside contractors, and monitors compliance by State
agencies. The Connecticut Minority Supplier Development Council, Inc. (CMSDC)
can assist you register for the Set Aside program.
Fred McKinney
203-288-9744
Fax: 203-288-9310
fmckinney@cmsdc.org
