400 attend annual business procurement conference

More than 400 business owners and contractors had the opportunity to network and meet contracting officers and purchasing agents for local, state, and federal agents during the Sixth Annual Connecting Businesses with Contracts Procurement Conference on March 23.

“They also received excellent information on how to successfully market their business, as well as, pointers regarding the new Disadvantaged Business Enterprise American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Bonding Assistance Reimbursable Fee Program, along with the Small Business Administration Surety Bond Guarantee Program that now guarantees up to $5 million,” said Gloria London, director of the Center for Small and Rural Business Development at the Southern University Ag Center.

This procurement conference brings together potential and existing contractors, entrepreneurs and government agencies for business match making opportunities. “Through this (free event) participants increase their knowledge and skills about business development, contracting and business sustainability,” said Eual Hall, business development specialist with the Center.

Representatives from the United States General Service Administration discussed federal supply schedules, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture provided pertinent information on food commodity contracting opportunities. The Louisiana State Contractors Licensing Board and the Louisiana Office of State Purchasing presented steps to becoming licensed contractors and participating in other state contracting programs including the Hudson and Veteran initiatives.

The procurement conference is hosted annually by the Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center and its Center for Rural and Small Business Development,   Louisiana Small Business Development Center in Baton Rouge, United States Small Business Administration, Louisiana Procurement Technical Assistance Center, and Louisiana Economic Development.

Chevron North America Exploration and Production Company, Communities of Color Network, USDA Rural Development, Southern University System Foundation, Entergy, DEMCO, and Urban Restoration and Enhancement Corporation were sponsors. 

Next year, this conference will be held on March 29 at Southern University.