8 Fast Facts About PTACs

Mr. Jonathan Connell and Mr. Todd Daughtry, co-owners of C&C Containers, LLC, meet in their Albany, Georgia, warehouse with Ms. Bridget Bennett, a PTAC procurement counselor, to discuss packaging and marking requirements for the shipment of medical supplies. Photo by Georgia Tech.

Ms. Jane Dowgwillo knows hundreds of small businesses and how they can support the Department of Defense’s (DoD’s) worldwide mission. As the manager of 10 Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTACs) scattered throughout Florida, she leads a team of 13 government contracting specialists who help small businesses understand the requirements of working with the federal government.

“We’ve got a lot of small manufacturing and spare-part businesses here that we provide specialized advice and training to. Any time we offer sessions on how to do business with DoD, it’s very well received,” Dowgwillo said.

The Procurement Technical Assistance Program (PTAP) was authorized by Congress in 1985 to expand the number of businesses capable of performing federal government contracts. The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP) administers the PTAP in cooperation with states, local governments and nonprofit organizations. “PTACs provide a variety of services that help small businesses win and execute federal government contracts,” said Ms. Sherry Savage, the PTAP Program Manager.

Today, 97 PTACs operate nationwide. In 2015, PTACs assisted about 46,000 businesses.

How PTACs Help Small Businesses

• The PTAC at the at the Southern Utah University Business Resource Center helped Metalcraft Technologies secure a 5-year contract worth up to $43 million with the Air Force for airframe structural components on the A-10 Warthog. The PTAC procurement team searches its online bid-notification database to identify contracting opportunities that match Metalcraft’s capabilities. As a result, Metalcraft is able to focus its time and resources on developing proposals and executing contracts.
• The Southwestern College PTAC in San Diego, California, helped Peter Harsch Prosthetics (PHP) market its services to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). PHP fits athletic amputees with high-performance artificial limbs. PTAC staff provided PHP assistance with registrations, certifications and government marketing strategies. As a result, PHP landed several small contracts with the VA. When PHP decided to compete for a VA indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract worth up to $14 million, the PTAC helped the company develop a winning proposal.
• The Delaware PTAC helped Batta Environmental Associates win more federal government contracts. Batta uses the Delaware PTAC’s bid-match service to identify procurement opportunities. Today, government contracts account for about 40 percent of Batta’s annual revenue.
• The Puerto Rico PTAC helped Confianza Exterminating Corporation register in the System for Award Management and develop an application for participation in the Small Business Administration’s 8(a) Business Development Program. With the PTAC’s help, Confianza Exterminating’s 8(a) application was approved and the Puerto Rico Air National Guard awarded the company a contract worth up to $18,000.
• The Kansas PTAC helped Dayspring Electric win a DoD contract. The Army Corps of Engineers (ACE) partnered with the PTAC to host an industry day to teach businesses how to do business with the Corps. The event identified projects in Eastern Kansas, including a requirement for the supply of emergency generators at Marion Lake in Burlington. After the event, the PTAC helped Dayspring Electric develop a successful proposal for the supply of generators. The contract, worth $93,000, was Dayspring’s first ACE contract.

8 Fast Facts

1. PTACs help small businesses compete for and execute contracts with DoD and other federal agencies.
2. PTACs can provide small businesses with federal purchase histories for specific products and services.
3. PTACs are present in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and Guam.
4. Most PTAC assistance is provided free of charge.
5. PTACs can help small businesses complete the System for Award Management registration for free.
6. Six PTACs specialize in providing serves to Native American-owned businesses.
7. PTAC counselors have experience in government acquisitions. Some are former Contracting Officers.
8. You can find your local PTAC here.

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