State of Illinois
announces nearly $1 million available for Illinois
Procurement Technical Assistance Centers
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[June 10, 2020]
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO)
today announced a new grant opportunity for the renewal or
establishment of new Illinois Procurement Technical Assistance
Centers (PTACs) – a statewide network focused on matching small
business with governmental entities seeking goods and services that
the businesses offer. Through a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)
released today, the State will make up to $816,000 available in
federal and state funds for new or existing community-based PTACs to
offer continued support in helping small businesses become certified
so they can identify and obtain contracts with local government and
their contractors.
“PTACs are another powerful tool we have to support the growth of
Illinois’ small businesses by helping them bid on and land
government contracts,” said Michael Negron, Assistant Director of
DCEO. “Our PTACs are doing critical work in strengthening our
communities and rebuilding the state by connecting hundreds of our
small business to serve as vendors on state, local and federal
contracts.”
The Illinois PTACs are the portal for small businesses looking to
enter the world of government contracting. These centers provide
one-on-one counseling, technical information, market research and
training to existing businesses interested in selling their goods
and services to local, state, and/or federal government agencies.
The Illinois PTAC collaborates with Department of Defense (DoD) and
other Federal, State, and local agencies working cooperatively with
them to accomplish the mission of this program.
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PTACs play a critical role in helping small businesses apply for
lucrative government contracts. In fact, Illinois businesses won
nearly 800 government contracts – worth over $1.1 billion in FY
2019, with the help of the Illinois PTAC program, while creating 489
and saving 693 jobs. The matching grant will allow current and
proposed new centers to provide technical assistance through the
employment of professional, experienced advisors and may cover costs
associated with salary, fringe benefits, facility and indirect costs
associated with the PTAC.
"Access to government contracts is very important for the growth of
minority owned companies in our state. Having an Illinois PTAC at
IHCC is crucial for the development of our business community," said
Angie Alonso, Director of Illinois PTAC at IL Hispanic Chamber of
Commerce.
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The Illinois PTAC program has served as a statewide resource for businesses to
obtain procurement technical assistance services for the over 35 years. There
are currently cooperative agreements with 7 host organizations that serve the
entire state. These local centers provide procurement technical assistance at 9
physical locations.
To help more minority- and women-owned businesses become certified for
government work, PTACs provide one-on-one guidance and training on the local,
state, and federal minority and women business certification programs.
“For firms interested in competing in the government market, Illinois PTACs
provide the education, tools, research and support necessary for them to enhance
their capacity and ability to successfully compete, “ said Emilia DiMenco,
President and Chief Executive Officer of the Women's Business Development
Center, who operates an Illinois PTAC at their center.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2020/Apr/30/images/ads/current/Guzzardos_sda_HOMETOWNHEROS_2020.png)
In addition to guidance on certification, PTACs host focused outreach events and
collaboration with other state and federal agency efforts targeting these
special groups. PTACs make a concerted effort to seek out and assist small
business concerns, Small Disadvantaged Businesses concerns (SDB), Women-Owned
Small Businesses concerns (WOSB), HUBZone small business concerns, and
Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business concerns (SDVOSB), historically
black colleges or universities and Minority Institutions (HCBCU/MIs).
Eligible applicants will include qualified Illinois universities, colleges,
chambers of commerce and other non-profit business development related
organizations that are interested in hosting and operating an Illinois PTAC. All
eligible organizations interested in becoming an Illinois PTAC are invited to
submit an application to the NOFO, found HERE.
For interested applicants, an optional Technical Assistance Informational
meeting will take place on June 17, 2020 at 10 AM Please register by clicking
the following link: Join meeting. The meeting number (access code) is: 285 495
267; meeting password: anHXKgFQ553; for call-in: 1-312-535-8110.
[Illinois Office of Communication and
Information] |