Opportunities

Links To Export Assistance In Montana

U.S. Department Of Commerce

U.S. Export Assistance Centers

Montana District Export Council

Small Business Innovative Research Program (SBIR)

For further information contact:
Linda Brander
SBIR Outreach Coordinator
301 South Park
POB 200505
Helena, MT 59620-0505
(406) 841-2749

Small Disadvantaged Business Certifications

Federal Acquisition Regulations provide new procurement preferences for small disadvantaged businesses (SDBs).The preference includes a price evaluation adjustment, up to ten percent for SDBs bidding as prime contractors involving full and open competitive acquisitions.  The preference applies to federal procurements within specific industries in which SDBs are underutilized.  Eligible industries will be determined by the Department of Commerce through the use of benchmarks and will be adjusted periodically, possibly once a year, to reflect the most current procurement data.

In the past, the government has relied on self-certification for purposes of SDB eligibility, which allowed firms to identify themselves as meeting the requirement for certification.  The self-certification procedure is now replaced by a formal certification conducted by the Small Business Administration (SBA). Small disadvantaged businesses must have SBA certification prior to receiving federal contracts.  On line SDB information is available at www.sba.gov/sdb.

Certification packages are available from the Montana SBA District Office, (406) 441-1081.

Government Contracting Assistance

The Office of Government Contracting (GC) works to create an environment for maximum participation by small, disadvantaged, and woman-owned businesses in federal government contract awards and large prime subcontract awards. GC advocates on behalf of small business in the federal procurement world. 

HUBZone Empowerment Contracting

The Historically Underutilized Business Zone Contracting Program (HUBZone) promotes economic development and job creation in targeted urban and rural areas by providing access to Federal contracting opportunities. Contracts may be obtained through sole source, competitive set-aside, or full and open competition with price evaluation preference procedures.  A firm must qualify as a small business and meet all of the following criteria to qualify for the HUBZone program: 

•  Principle office must be located in a HUBZone,
•  Wholly owned and controlled by U.S. Citizens and
•  At least 35% of the firm’s employees must reside in a HUBZone.

Potential applicants can determine if their company is located within a HUBZone by using an on-line system available through SBA’s web site, at http://www.sba.gov/hubzone/.  The web site allows firms to use an electronic application process or download a paper version for submission to SBA headquarters in Washington, D.C.  For more information contact the Montana District Office at (406) 441-1081 or 1-800-776-9144 select option #2.

Are You In A HUBZone?

PRO-Net

Pro-Net is an electronic gateway of procurement information -- for and about small businesses. It is a search engine for contracting officers, marketing tool for small firms and a "link" to procurement opportunities and important information.  It also provides information to prime and other contractors seeking small business contractors. It is designed to be a "virtual" one-stop-procurement-shop. 

Business Development Programs 8(A)

Montana BD Staff

Robert Much, Business Opportunity Specialist

Interested in growing your business through the sale of products or services to the federal government? The government's annual procurement budget is $200 billion - this can be a source of new business opportunities for you.

Other Opportunities

Growing your business? Other opportunities includes helpful information about government contracting and the procurement process, solicitations for small business innovation research projects, information about grants and a link to Commerce Business Daily in which many government agencies solicit bids for contracts.

Local Sources Of Assistance Or Counseling, Training And Business Development