TargetGov Partners With The Center for Business and Technology Development to Present Fall 2009 Government Contracting Institute Seminar Series
The Government Contracting Institute (GCI) is a series of seminars designed to help businesses break into, and then excel in government contracting, to be held in Columbia, MD this fall.

ELKRIDGE, MD, July 25, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ -- TargetGov has partnered with The Howard County Economic Development Authority's Center for Business and Technology Development and the Maryland Governor's Office of Minority Affairs to present the Government Contracting Institute (GCI), a series of seminars designed to help businesses break into, and then excel in government contracting.

The seminars will be held at The Center for Business and Technology Development, 9250 Bendix Road, North, Columbia, MD 21045. Space is limited to ensure an optimal learning environment. Pre-Registration is required for all seminars. To register or learn more, please contact The Center for Business and Technology Development at 410-313-6550 or visit https://www.center-tech.biz/events/index.cfm?mode=registration_selection.

The schedule for the seminar series as is follows:

Class 101: Introduction to Government Contracting
Tuesday, September 15, 2009, 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 noon

This morning session is geared toward existing and new businesses who want to sell their products or services to federal, state, county and other government agencies. This is a $500+ billion market, $21 billion of which goes to Maryland-based companies of all sizes every year. The course is a concise introduction to government contracting. Participants will learn the required registrations, the basis of contracting law, rules, and key players involved in contracting. Participants will also learn the types of contracts, their uses, and an introduction to how the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) control how contracts are written, advertised, competed and awarded.

Class 102: Getting Certified, Is it Right for Your Company?
Tuesday September 15, 2009, 1:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Learn the basics of certification: what is certification, who qualifies, what certifications are available at the federal, state, and county government levels, what are the benefits, what is the process to get certified, the timeline, and what agencies use certified companies. We cover certifications for businesses owned by: women, veterans, and minorities, as well as geographic and other small business certifications including 8(a), HUBzone, SDB, WBE, MBE, SDVOB, and others.

Class 201: Getting and Using Your GSA Schedule
Tuesday, September 29, 2009, 1:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

The GSA Schedule is one of the most powerful business tools you can have when doing business with the Federal Government. In this class, we will give you the information you need to know about the GSA schedule process and how to win the contract. Specific topics to be covered are:

• Overview of the GSA Schedule
• Scope of Services and Products
• The Importance of the GSA Schedule
• Benefits of the GSA Schedule for Agencies/Contractors
• The GSA Schedule Process
• GSA Schedule Pricing Strategies

Class 301: Marketing Your Business to Win Government Contracts
Tuesday, October 6, 2009, 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 noon

This program focuses on a specifically detailed process of identifying your target market, learning about the strategies involved in being a prime or a subcontractor, teaming, mentor-protege programs, evaluation of opportunities including Requests for Information, Requests for Quotes, Requests for Bids, Sole Source Contracts, the bid/no bid decision making process, purchase thresholds, simplified acquisitions, and how market intelligence can build your pipeline. Registrants will receive a Capability Statement Template and other important marketing materials recommendations.

Class 302: The Business of BRAC and Stimulus Opportunities
Tuesday, October 6, 2009, 1:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

The Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process and the Stimulus Program translates to billions in contracting opportunities for the businesses that know how to find, capture, and perform for these special operations. Attend this information packed workshop to find out how to open the door to construction, IT, services, consulting, and products and materials needed to complete the largest people transfer, construction, and services programs in US history.

Class 401: Proposal Writing to Win Contracts
Tuesday, October 20, 2009, 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 noon

This seminar provides attendees the skills necessary to respond convincingly to an RFP or task order requirement. The focus is on understanding what government evaluators want to see, structuring the response so that they find it easily, as well as ensure that government evaluators find what they read to be both compliant and compelling. We will also cover the top five reasons for failure, how to prepare for oral presentations, how to request a debrief and what to expect, and determining if a protest is a viable option.

Class 501: Contract Management for Federal Contracts
Tuesday, October 20, 2009, 1:00 p.m. - 4:30 noon

This session will discuss the techniques to manage contract delivery, budget, staffing, risk, and quality while fostering the client relationship; being responsive to needs of project staff, meeting company financial and project goals, creating third party relationships to add value or fill gaps, and understanding differences between risks and threats, and how to manage risk and avoid threats. We will review contract types, the differences and challenges associated with each, identify the stakeholders associated with each project, and how to deal with their expectations.

Class 601: Accounting for Government Contractors
Tuesday, October 27, 2009, 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 noon

Government contracting requires very specific setup, systems, reports, processes, and tracking. Attend this session to understand government cost accounting standards, pricing strategies, discussion of software applications including QuickBooks and other alternatives, and audit preparation. Who should attend? Accountants, CPAs, bookkeepers, CFOs, and any business owner who wants to win government contracts, be profitable, and satisfy all federal accounting requirements.

Class 602: Legal Requirements (FAR) for Government Contractors
Tuesday, October 27, 2009, 1:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

The federal government has incorporated very specific legal requirements into every aspect of government contracting, from the initial budget process, to identifying the acquisition process, methods of payment, contractor eligibility, prime and subcontracting issues, small business programs, communications during the lifecycle of an opportunity, contractor debarment procedures and more. Attend this special session to learn how to translate legalese into understandable terminology, how the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) clauses can cost you the contract, or worse, put you out of business. Most importantly, learn how to perform within the legal limits of a proposal and contract.

Class 701: Security Clearances
Tuesday, November 3, 2009, 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 noon

Attendees will learn what a security clearance is, types of clearances, the procedures and requirements for obtaining a facility and personnel security clearance, which agencies require clearances, differing application processes required by various agencies, related timelines, what to do if you do not pass the first time, and the conditions that disqualify someone from receiving a security clearance.

Press Release Contact Information:

Gloria Larkin
TargetGov
President
6044 Old Lawyers Hill Rd
Elkridge, MD
United States 21075
Voice: 866-579-1346
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