Small businesses get help with government work in Colorado

Last week, Colorado Governor Bill Ritter announced the opening of a business assistance center, designed to help small businesses win government contracts. As Recovery Act dollars continue to roll out from the federal government, it’s important for small businesses to remain competitive, Ritter administration officials said.

The Colorado Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) will be located in Colorado Springs, Colo. and it will be maintained by the state’s Office of Economic Development and International Trade. According to numbers released by the federal government, more than one out of four stimulus dollars is going to small business. The $4 billion or so awarded to small business is on pace to be about one-third of total handed down through federal contracts – ahead of the governments annual goal of 23%.
“Put simply, this is a win-win situation,” Joe Jordan, associate administrator for government contracting business development at the Small Business Administration, said during his testimony to Congress. “Small businesses get increased volume, sales and hires. They get a lift to be competitive in the global marketplace and help lead the nation toward economic recovery. In addition, federal agencies get to work with the most innovative, nimble and responsive companies.”
In Colorado, the new PTAC program is designed to assist Colorado’s small and middle market businesses in obtaining contracts with federal, state, county and local governments.

“During these difficult economic times, we’re pleased to offer additional resources to Colorado businesses,” Tom Elam, director of the Colorado PTAC, said in a statement. “Contracting and procurement on the federal, state, and local level will bring additional dollars to our businesses and help retain jobs.”

The PTAC programs are funded through the U.S. Department of Defense, the State Economic Development Commission, among other state and federal agencies. There are currently 93 PTACs – with over 250 local offices – providing the best value goods and services to America’s Armed Forces and other government agencies.