North Dakota Procurement Technical Assistance Center

In 1931, President Herbert Hoover signed into law what would become known as the Davis-Bacon Act, namesake of Senator James Davis (PA) and Representative Robert Bacon (NY) who co-sponsored the bill. The law required that contractors and subcontractors working on federally funded construction projects pay laborers “prevailing wages,” or the wages that laborers in the […]

There are different certifications and programs available to small businesses to support them in federal contracting; one of these is the HUBZone, or “Historically Underutilized Business Zone.” Sounds impressive, but what does it mean? The goal of the HUBZone program is to increase the number of federal contracts in urban and rural communities. This is […]

Here at the North Dakota Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC), we market our services to businesses in North Dakota interested in obtaining federal, state, and local government contracts. We provide technical assistance to clients through one-on-one business advising as well as through topic-specific training and professional development. Most clients we work with need assistance with securing an […]

“The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs are highly competitive programs that encourage domestic small businesses to engage in Federal Research/Research and Development (R/R&D) with the potential for commercialization.” (source www.sbir.gov) Clear as North Dakota’s Red River? Why were these programs created? “SBIR and STTR enable small businesses to explore their […]

On November 11, 1918, the Great War ended. A year later, Armistice Day celebrated the end of that war.  Then in 1926, Congress passed a resolution for an annual observance.  Several years later, the United States celebrated its first National Veteran’s Day on November 11, 1938.  To honor this day of remembrance and our service […]

Okay, it’s here to stay and there’s only more to come, especially with all the acronyms. Government contracting and cybersecurity will operate hand in hand forevermore. Therefore, you need to be ready to move, prepare for changes, and know it will be a bumpy path. If you are new to cybersecurity, please read our “Back […]

Though the Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTAC) have been around since 1985, September 15, 2021, is only our fourth National PTAC Day. PTACs were created to increase the number of businesses of all sizes, large and small, that work with government contracting. PTACs do this by educating businesses and helping them navigate the procurement process. […]

As we all know, cybersecurity is changing daily. Therefore, when addressing cybersecurity, it is important to know the basics, keep good housekeeping, continuously improve, and prepare for the future.    First, the basics of cybersecurity.    What is cybersecurity? It is the practice of protecting systems, networks, and programs from digital attacks. Cyberattacks are usually aimed at accessing, changing, or destroying sensitive information, extorting money from users, or interrupting normal […]

Your registrations are completed and you are ready to contract. Now you wait for all the contracts to roll in – prime contractors and government agencies will find you, right? WRONG. However, there are many actions you can take to increase your chances of being found by prime contractors and government agencies. Be ready Keep […]

Everyone wants to ‘land’ the big government contract. However, landing any contract takes time and skill. You and your company need the skills to submit, win, and manage a contract. To build your skills in the world of government contracts, consider the following: Communication is a must. Brush up on this skill by taking business, […]