LEWISBURG — Business owners can learn how to compete for government contracts at a workshop on Pennsylvania’s cooperative purchasing program, “It’s Not Just Price,” set for 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 30, at the Union County Government Center, 155 N. 15th St.
Businesses will get expert insight into how to work with more than 8,000 buyers comprised of local public and nonprofit agencies. These include local governments, local prisons, libraries, school districts, not-for-profit health facilities, fire and rescue companies and more.
COSTARS, as the program is called, provides opportunities for hundreds of businesses of all sizes in all locations to compete for more than $575 million in government business.
A key benefit of the COSTARS program is that it eliminates the bidding process. Public entities can negotiate with and buy directly from COSTARS-approved suppliers, keeping procurement dollars in the local economy. Businesses compete based on their features and benefits, not just on the lowest price.
Some of the products and services local government and nonprofit entities are buying include: office, school and library supplies; software; foods; voting systems; toiletries; emergency responder supplies; playground equipment; water and wastewater treatment equipment; traffic equipment; medical supplies; groundskeeping maintenance; theater furniture; heavy equipment rental; and more.
Bruce Beardsley, marketing manager of the COSTARS program, will be the featured speaker. He will cover program information, bidding opportunities, how to become a COSTARS supplier, marketing tips and more.
SEDA-COG’s Procurement Technical Assistance Center staff also will be at the seminar to assist businesses on how to become COSTARS suppliers. The center helps companies explore and compete in the local, state and federal government marketplace. For more information, visit www.seda-cog.org/ptac.
A representative of the Bucknell University Small Business Development Center will participate in the program and will describe how the Bucknell SBDC helps businesses start and grow in Union, Northumberland, Montour, Perry, Juniata and Snyder counties. The SBDC is a partnership program of the U.S. Small Business Administration, the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development through the Partnership for Regional Economic Performance program, and 18 universities and colleges in Pennsylvania. The network of Pennsylvania SBDCs is the only nationally accredited program providing no-fee, one-on-one consulting and informational resources to empower new and existing businesses throughout the state. For more information, visit www.bucknell.edu/sbdc.
Staff from the Innovative Manufacturers’ Center will attend, too. The IMC helps central Pennsylvania manufacturers tap into the most effective regional, state and national resources in order to innovate, grow and prosper. For more information, visit www.imcpa.com.
The seminar is free, but registration is required. To register, visit http://ow.ly/YWmeb . For more information, contact SEDA-COG’s Kristen Moyer at (570) 524-4491 or kristen@seda-cog.org.
