Clients talk with advisers at the PTAC, a government-funded program that assists small businesses that want to sell their goods or services to the government, educational institutions or tribal entities. (Courtesy of PTAC)
When Chris Weil started his construction company in 2005, he planned to build it by delivering quality construction on-time and within budget.
That strategy, along with a focus on government contracts, has allowed the company to expand and serve the western United States from five offices in four states. The New Mexico Procurement Technical Assistance Center, or NMPTAC, has been Weil’s partner along the way.
“PTAC helped us with our business structure and taught us how to get into the federal world,” said Weil. “We work for several different federal clients, and they were able to help and guide us.”
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PTAC is a government-funded program that assists small businesses that want to sell their goods or services to the government, educational institutions, or tribal entities. Its staff of advisers is experienced in government contracting and offer individual, confidential counseling and training free of charge to enable businesses to successfully compete for government contracts.
For Weil, the challenge was keeping up with opportunities in multiple states and structuring a business that could efficiently serve local, state and federal contractors. For others, it’s jumping into a new market, registering for federal contracting opportunities and learning how to write proposals that appeal to procurement officers.
“PTAC consultants are here to help businesses find the resources they need to grow their businesses and serve their communities,” said Therese Rivera, New Mexico PTAC program manager. “In just the last three years we’ve helped New Mexico’s businesses secure more than $425 million in contracts from local, state and federal sources.”
It’s no wonder. The federal government is the world’s biggest customer and a major driver in New Mexico’s economy. Yet only a fraction of the $8.2 billion that Uncle Sam spent in New Mexico in fiscal year 2017 benefited local companies. Advisors at the state’s five PTAC offices work to increase the flow of federal dollars to New Mexico businesses that offer products and services the government wants.
Last year, the U.S. Small Business Administration named Weil Construction the National Small Business Prime Contractor of the Year and the Regional (NM, TX, OK, AR, LA) Small Prime Contractor of the Year.
On Wednesday, PTAC centers across the country will host open houses to introduce small businesses to the assistance and support they provide. New Mexico PTAC offices will celebrate with the public from 10:00 am until noon.
The events are part of PTAC Day, a national campaign that celebrates the contracting success of thousands of small businesses that have received training and technical assistance from their local PTACs. This is the second year of the annual event that aims to unite the 95 PTAC Centers in all 50 states (plus Guam and Puerto Rico) and the 48,000 clients they serve by sharing, in real-time, small business success stories and the significant economic impact that PTAC clients have created within their communities.
Holly Bradshaw Eakes
In New Mexico, PTAC partners with the state’s Small Business Development Center network. PTACs are located near SBDC offices at the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce, 130 4th St. NW, 87102 in Albuquerque; The Arrowhead Center, Genesis Bldg A, Ste. 101, 3655 Research Rd., 88003, in Las Cruces; The SBDC at 417 Schepps Blvd #152, 88101 in Clovis; the Higher Education Center, 1950 Siringo Rd. 87505, in Santa Fe; and at the CNM Workforce Training Center, 5600 Eagle Rock Ave. NE, 87113, in Albuquerque.
In 2018, NMPTAC supported 510 new clients and 795 active clients in obtaining 1,594 federal contract awards worth $223.4 million. For more information about NMPTAC, visit https://www.nmptac.org/.
Finance New Mexico connects individuals and businesses with skills and funding resources for their business or idea. To learn more, go to www.FinanceNewMexico.org.
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