Platts to Host "Doing Business with the Federal Government"

Event to help local small businesses with federal procurement opportunities

What:    Federal Procurement Seminar
When:   Friday, May 7, 2004, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Where:  Days Inn Conference Center
              222 Arsenal Road
              York, Pennsylvania

York, PA - Congressman Todd Russell Platts (PA-19th) and Congressman Tom Davis (VA-11th), Chairman of the House Government Reform Committee, will join the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) to co-sponsor an event geared towards providing a practical, step-by-step approach for small firms to gain access to procurement opportunities with the federal government.

GSA contracting representatives and colleagues from the Department of Defense (DOD) will be on hand to discuss the initial steps in gaining access to the vast federal procurement environment.  Officials from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) may also be in attendance. GSA is the federal government's manager, buyer, and telecommunications coordinator for billions of dollars worth of products and services annually. GSA buys products ranging from pens and pencils to state-of-the-art technology equipment and services.

GSA Regional Administrator Barbara Shelton is scheduled to join Congressman Davis and Congressman Platts to bring pertinent news from Washington and the acquisition community.  The topics to be discussed include:

• Entering the Government Marketplace-Presentations from GSA on small business programs and acquisition vehicles for products and services.
• Information Technology Requirements-Representatives from GSA will discuss current demands driven by security, war-time support, and global change.
• Marketing to the Workplace-Officials from GSA will discuss how to develop marketing strategies, and where to find help.
• Implementing Electronic Government-Officials from GSA will discuss strategies for e-government.

Those interested in attending the seminar can register on-line at http://www.estrategy.gov/forum.  Space is limited.