ERDC/ERDCWERX program helps businesses learn how to get government contracts – The Vicksburg Post

Local business owners and entrepreneurs gathered Thursday at ERDCWERX’s third-floor offices at the Thad Kochan Mississippi Center for Innovation and Technology.

A small business workshop co-hosted by the US Army Engineering, Research and Development Center and ERDCWERX featured several speakers to help business owners learn how to improve their business and the process of obtaining government contracts.

“We’re hosting the event for small businesses and large businesses alike to learn more about government contracting – a variety of opportunities,” said Kimberly Dulaney, deputy director of ERDC’s Office of Small Business Programs. “There are resources available to small businesses through all of our small business partners.”

One is ERDCWERX, whose mission is to foster a vibrant business ecosystem by fostering entrepreneurship and creating successful alliances to innovate and commercialize technologies that support the warfighter.

“I’m hearing that it’s going to be difficult to get a lot of small businesses to participate or participate in the contract, and we’re looking for ways to get them involved,” Dulaney said.

She said the workshop is a way to get information about contracting with small businesses so they can learn what resources are available to get government contracts.

“We now have the Mississippi Apex Accelerators,” Dulaney said of the Mississippi Development Authority program to help small businesses go through the process of securing state contracts.

“If you’re not into SAM[awards management system]they’re going to walk you through that process,” she said. “SAM is the official website of the US government. If you want to do business with the federal government, you must register with SAM.gov.

“They[APEX]help them with SAMs; they send bid opportunities from both the state and federal government,” she said.

In addition to the MDA and Apex Accelerator, Dulaney said, the workshop featured presentations from the Small Business Administration.

“It’s all about letting small businesses know about the resources that are available,” Dulaney said.

About John Surratt

John Surratt is a graduate of Louisiana State University with a degree in General Studies. He worked as an editor, reporter and photographer for newspapers in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. He has been a Vicksburg Post staff member since 2011 and covers city government. He and his wife attend St. Paul’s Catholic Church and he is a member of the Port City Kiwanis Club.

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