NEPA Government Contracting Showcase 2017 – A Valuable Resource for Small Businesses

The NEPA Alliance held the annual Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) 2017 Government Contracting Showcase on May 11, 2017 at Radisson Lackawanna Station Hotel, Scranton. The full day event was well attended with 19 exhibitors including representatives from economic development, government agencies, and private businesses. The Showcase attracted over 100 attendees and was deemed to be a great resource and beneficial by those in attendance.

Jeffrey Box, NEPA President & CEO, opened the event by saying, “There are significant opportunities for local companies to enter into contracting with federal, state, and local government agencies.”  Jeff quantified this by stating, “PTAC clients reported over $108.8 million in governmental sales within the NEPA seven-county coverage area as reported by NEPA PTAC clients last fiscal year.”

Mr. Box was also pleased to present Michael Atchie as the Opening Keynote Speaker and Congressman Lou Barletta of the 11^th Congressional District as the Luncheon Keynote Speaker. Barletta started by stating, “The federal government is the largest buyer in the world.” He went on to say, “The government buys over $650 billion annually and can be a reliable, continuous source of business.”

Additionally, the NEPA Alliance presented its “PTAC Client of the Year Award” to Gentex Corporation.  The Award is given to a client of the Procurement Technical Assistance Center whose business practices and professional conduct is beneficial to federal, state and local governments; conducts business in a professional and ethical manner; reinvests in the local economy and its people; and helps to promote Northeastern Pennsylvania as a vibrant place in which to do business.

The attendees learned how to conduct and market their business to Federal and State Agencies and Prime Contractors. Educational sessions included: Federal Certifications for Veterans, Women and Minority Business Owners; Doing Business with PENNDOT; Doing Business with Gentex Corporation; and, Doing Business with the Williams Company and the Transco Pipeline Project.

The NEPA Alliance PTAC is funded by the United States Department of Defense, Appalachian Regional Commission, and the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.

For NEPA Alliance PTAC Program details visit ptac.nepa-alliance.org or call Karen Ostroskie, Deborah Phillips or Paula Terpak at 866-758-1929.

Pictured from left: Congressman Lou Barletta, 11^th Congressional District; James Montenegro, Gentex Corporation; David Luettgen, Gentex Corporation; Jeffrey Box, NEPA Alliance; Karen Ostroskie, NEPA Alliance.