Non-profit Group Expands to Provide Free Government Contracting Assistance to Small Businesses Statewide
October 16, 2003

Congressman Doug Ose, California Third Congressional District, recently announced that The Federal Technology Center (The FTC), a not-for-profit Corporation in his District, has been designated by the Department of Defense as a Statewide Procurement Assistance Program. Prior to its selection as a Statewide program, The FTC was responsible for helping Northern California businesses in a ten county area compete for federal, state, and local government contracts. Effective October 1, 2003, The FTC has added 37 counties, and approximately 400,000 small businesses, to its service area.

The FTC provides low and no cost services to small businesses that are
interested in contracting with all levels of government. "In the last year alone," Congressman Ose said, "The FTC's business clients reported receiving
$70.7 million in government contract awards. About 70% of these contract awards are new federal dollars, which without The FTC's help, could have gone to businesses in other states, along with the jobs that contract awards generate." In speaking of jobs, Congressman Ose added, "Since the inception of The FTC's procurement assistance program, its business clients have created or retained nearly 4000 jobs."

The FTC assists businesses in a variety of ways. Their FREE classes help businesses learn about government topics ranging from introductory subjects, such as "Introduction to Federal Contracting," to specialized courses, such as "Contract Administration" or "Doing Business with General Services Administration (GSA). Other FREE services include:

• Identifying government marketing opportunities
• Helping businesses with registrations, bids, and proposals
• Assisting with certifications to apply for bid preference programs
• One-to-one counseling
• And more-visit www.TheFTC.org

Assemblyman Dave Cox, on learning the news, said "The FTC has done an outstanding job in improving California's economy by helping our small businesses successfully compete for government contracts. All businesses that are interested in contracting with government should get to know The FTC staff, because contracting with government agencies can be difficult, unless you work with someone like The FTC who knows how."

For the small business community, The Federal Technology Center is "Your Link to Government."

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