The US government awarded more than 3,800 contracts in excess of $575 million to Vermont businesses from October 1, 2012, to September 30, 2013 (the FY 2013 federal fiscal year), according to the Federal Procurement Data System.
Several contracts were awarded to small businesses, including Veteran-owned businesses, disadvantaged businesses, women-owned businesses and many more throughout the state.
The US government is the largest single purchaser of goods and services in the world, awarding approximately $500 billion in contracts every year. Vermont businesses wanting to bid on federal contracts need to create a business profile at www.sam.gov. Through the System for Award Management, federal agencies can search for businesses based on several factors, including capabilities, size, location, experience and ownership.
In addition to SAM, the Vermont Procurement Technical Assistance Center offers free counseling to Vermont businesses wanting to obtain federal, state and local government contracts. Among the 3,800 contracts awarded throughout the state, VT PTAC assisted 83 Vermont companies obtain 519 contracts totaling nearly $74 million.
The Small Business Administration’s Office of Government Contracting and Business Development works with federal agencies to award at least 23 percent of all prime government contract dollars to small businesses and help federal agencies meet specific statutory goals for small disadvantaged businesses, women-owned small businesses, disabled Veteran-owned small businesses and small businesses located in historically underutilized business zones.
Contract dollars awarded to Vermont small businesses in 2013 and 2012 are as follows:
2013
Contracts awarded in VT
2012
Contracts awarded in VT
Number
Amount
Number
Amount
Small Business
2,254
$45,392,215
2,609
$88,945,623
Hubzone
29
$1,386,110
49
$3,794,703
8(a) Firms
11
$2,082,394
2
$37,535
Veteran-Owned Business
175
$6,648,249
229
$20,044,190
Service Disabled Veteran Owned
37
$4,365,224
42
$199,776
Women-Owned Business
151
$4,407,782
158
$1,728,156
Small Disadvantaged Business
49
$2,543,249
41
$210,520