When all we’re hearing on the news is how government entities are about to cut every public service and department you count on, you’re probably thinking that now is not the time to enter the government-as-customer circus ring. However, you’d be wrong. As more and more bids undergo closer scrutiny, you may actually have a better chance to sell reasonably priced goods – if you understand which direction the door swings and how to get your business past the threshold.
Wisconsin operates on a biennial budget cycle, with every fiscal year beginning on July 1. The Wisconsin Assembly approved a $66 billion budget for FY2012 and FY2013 in June 2011.
To educate you on how to benefit from approved state expenditures, the Business Opportunities in the Government Sector (BOGS) workshop will be presented on April 16, 2013 at the Monona Terrace Community & Convention Center in Madison. Under the auspices of the UW’s Continuing Education Programming, the one-day BOGS event benefits all firms seeking to improve their knowledge of public contracting and also promotes inclusionary business practices.
I spoke with event coordinator Godwin Amegashie, who reported that the 2013 seminars are especially important as the state embarks on using e-commerce platforms for procurement and construction contracting opportunities. I also did a little research on The VendorNet System, Wisconsin’s electronic purchasing portal for vendors wanting to provide goods and services to the state as well as to state agencies and municipalities. I noticed it does not provide information on construction projects, which Amegashie promised would be covered at the conference.
Another major goal of BOGS is to network and create relationships. “Many firms that have attended the event in the past report having formed strong relationships with other attendees,” he said. As always, time is provided for participants to have meaningful “business exchanges” to arrange one-on-one meetings with the many exhibitors and primes interested in them. “Many such exhibitors are looking for small businesses and minority-, women- and service-disabled veteran-owned businesses to assist them in meeting the supplier diversity provisions of their contracts,” so think of subcontracting possibilities.
If it all still seems daunting, the event begins with a morning general session and choice of workshops on how to fully participate in the many opportunities offered by state, federal, and private companies. Godwin invited government officials to explain processes and help you cut through red tape. With regard to state contracts, workshops include understanding procurement, and provide help in identifying construction, architectural, and engineering business opportunities. Other workshops explain how to access federal business opportunities.
The daylong event coincides with the new budget year and also celebrates the 30th anniversary of the state of Wisconsin’s Act 390 of 1983, which helped minority-owned businesses sell their goods and services to the state and its agencies. Following a keynote luncheon speaker, the Wisconsin Department of Administration will present the Accolade Awards, which honor prime businesses that have “demonstrated excellent supplier diversity results on state contracts.”
Here’s my personal take on the day: I serve with Amegashie on the advisory board for the Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corp. and also on the committee for the Dane County Small Business Awards. I know him to be a passionate advocate – not only for minority business development, but also for every business that contributes to our goal of statewide economic development. When he mentioned the event at a recent DCSBA meeting, I was happy to be in a position to pass along the information to you today, and I hope you are able to take advantage of this opportunity!
Register at www.bogs.wi.gov. For further information, contact Godwin Amegashie at 608-267-7806 or godwin.amegashie@wisconsin.gov.
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