Small Business Government Contractor Conference

Small Business Government Contractor (SBGC) Conference Series

Consistent Processes…. Increased Success

Registration Now Open

Limited Tickets Available - Only 74 Seats Remaining

Presented by BiDS Consulting LLC and The Collingwood Group, the Small Business Government Contractor (SBGC) Conference Series brings industry leaders in federal contracting together with small businesses that provide services to the government.  It is a full day of education on federal business development best practices and collaboration with industry peers on lessons learned.

The focus for the series kickoff event on March 27, 2013 is on the benefit of implementing consistent processes in support of pursuing opportunities in the government market.  Improved communications, increased control and consistency, and enhanced operational efficiencies, are just a handful of the benefits small businesses can gain from implementing repeatable business development processes.

Who Should Attend?

Attend this event if you are a small business leader that: provides services to the federal government; wants to achieve success in the government market; is planning consistent growth to attain the next level; and wants to discuss the impacts of the dynamic federal landscape and how to effectively pursue opportunities in the government contracting space.

Small business owners and managers will engage with known industry experts in government business and proposal development to learn, network, and share common experiences encountered in the federal market. The intent of the series is to provide small businesses with the training, tools, resources, and networking opportunities to grow their government business.

Features of the day include facilitated presentations by recognized industry leaders, an information filled expo presenting known market providers of proven products and services, and networking opportunities to formulate new relationships.

Conference Agenda and Activities

6:00 a.m. - 7:30 a.m.            Expo Set-up

7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.            Registration, Networking Breakfast, Expo      

9:00 a.m. - 9:15 a.m.            Welcome and Introductions              

9:15 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.          Government Contract Ethics and Compliance Requirements  

10:15 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.         Break    

10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.         Cost Estimating That Matters

11:30 p.m. -12:45 p.m.          Lunch, Guest Speaker, and Expo                       

12:45 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.          Designing Winning Proposals     

1:45 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.            Break                  

2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.            Making Rain on a Small Business Budget

3:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.            Snack Break and Expo      

3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.            Speaker Panel Questions and Answers

4:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.            Exhibitor Drawings  

5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.            Happy Hour and Networking 

Lorenzo Exposito (Law Office of Lorenzo F. Exposito)
Government Contract Ethics and Compliance Requirements from a Small Business Perspective (Presentation)
This presentation will address the obligations and requirements that apply to government contractors relating to business ethics, including specifically the requirements of FARsubpart 3.10, FAR52.2003-13, "Contractor Code of Business Ethics and Conduct" and the so-called "Mandatory Disclosure Rule".  The topic is addressed from a small business perspective, including the applicable thresholds vs. practical considerations relating to the implementation of:(a) a written code of business ethics and conduct; (b) an employee training program; and (c) a system of internal controls.  Anecdotal evidence suggests that many small government contractors are not aware of their affirmative obligations under these regulations and/or the scope of the Mandatory Disclosure Rule.  The presentation will address these issues in the context of specific "red-flag" hypothetical situations derived from recent government enforcement actions. Substantively, this includes small business program representations and the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010, the Procurement Integrity Act, representations relating to time-charging under government contracts, among other areas. The presentation will include a practical look at processes businesses should consider to prevent and/or detect improper conduct in these areas.  The presentation will also address the actions small businesses should take when faced with an ethics situation.

Gary Lyles and Frank Chilli (n8 Consulting) 
Cost Estimating That Matters (Presentation)
In an evolving government market where services have become commodities, justifiable costs differentiate proposals.  Small businesses need to understand how to make cost estimates (BOEs) a discriminator for successful proposals.  Learn how the market has changed, the practices you need to put in place and how to position to win your next proposal while working on the job today.

Mike Parkinson (24 Hour Company)
Designing WINNING Proposals (Presentation)
Graphics matter (now more than ever) but how do you make winning graphics fast? Stop losing time, money and proposals with bad or no graphics. Learn the small company secrets to turn words and ideas into winning proposal graphics—in minutes. See actual before and after examples. Apply these best practices, tips, and tricks to quickly make your own winning proposal graphic during our session. The process you learn validates not only your graphic but your proposed solution as well.

Rian Block
Building Your GSA Contract Toolbox
A small business entering into the Federal acquisition arena faces an array of challenges, not the least of which is understanding how to effectively contract with the Federal Government via Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs), Multiple Award Schedules (MAS), Government Wide Agency Contracts (GWAC), multiple award/single award, fair opportunity, FAR Part 8, Part 16, Part 15, Part 12, Contractor Teaming Agreements (CTA), and subcontracting.  Each of these contracting strategies requires a thoughtful decision process on the part of small businesses.  Should you pursue capabilities under various types of contracts or simply within a specific niche?  How does the Government view CTAs differently than subcontracting agreements?  What are the relationships and challenges between a BPA and associated contractor MAS contracts?  How should you market yourself if you own a GWAC … or a MAS?  Which of these contracts should you target as part of your contracts toolbox?  If you want your small business to thrive, you NEED to ‘jump into the ring’ … but before you leap, you NEED to understand the characteristics of the various available contract vehicles, in order to optimize the use of your limited resources.  This presentation will serve as an introduction to the use of GSA contract vehicles and is the first in a series of presentations which will drill down to their effective implementation for your company.

Chris Simmons  (Rainmakerz Consulting LLC)
Making Rain on a Small Business Budget (Presentation)

Companies (large and small) are struggling to make more with less. Business development budgets are tight. Competition is getting tougher. Small businesses have fewer resources than large business, but have many of the same BD challenges¾to grow their businesses efficiently and effectively.

Chris is a modern-day rainmaker who owns and operates a small business just like you. Explore some of the biggest and most difficult questions and challenges small businesses face:

• What are the major BD deliverables and milestones that really make a difference?
• How do I increase my win rates?
• What people, processes, and technologies do I need to compete effectively for business?
• How do I avoid falling off the revenue cliff when large legacy contracts expire?
• Can I do anything now to position for 8(a) BD Program graduation in the future?

Discuss processes, recommendations, and tips on these and other related questions to help you win more and work less.