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PROCUREMENT NEWS FROM CONGRESSMAN ADAM SMITH


Save the date for the annual Procurement/Grants Workshop on Monday, June 16, 2008


Congressman Adam Smith invites you to his Procurement/Grants Workshop at the Fabulich Center in Tacoma on Monday, June 16, 2008. The Procurement program will provide information designed to update businesses on the programs, policies and processes of procurement with various federal agencies. The Grants program will feature information for non-profit organizations, individuals and businesses to identify grant opportunities and deal with the changes in our economy and funding streams.

Scheduled speakers include representatives from: Department of Veterans Affairs, Small Business Administration, General Services Administration, Fort Lewis Army Post, McChord Air Force Base, and the U. S. Department of Agriculture.

The Procurement/Grants Workshop will be held on Monday, June 16, 2008 in Tacoma at the Fabulich Center, 3600 Port of Tacoma Road, Conference Room #104. The Procurement workshop will be 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. (sign-in opens at 7:30), and after a networking lunch, the Grants workshop will be from 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. Please feel free to attend either or both portions of the event. To RSVP and receive information on purchasing a lunch please email rebecca.snyder@mail.house.gov

Doing Business with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)

DARPA is the central research and development organization for the Defense Department. DARPA’S mission is to maintain the technological superiority of the U. S. military and prevent technological surprise from harming our national security by sponsoring revolutionary, high-payoff research that bridges the gap between fundamental discoveries and their military use.

Don’t constrain your great ideas by how you think DARPA may react. Even though they may not appear active in a particular area doesn’t mean the Agency won’t be interested in a great technological idea in a new arena. In fact, your idea could lead to new areas of research.

You can refer to www.darpa.mil "Solicitations" and look at the seven Technical Offices Broad Agency Announcements (BAAs). BAAs encourage unique and innovative ideas. Additionally, technical dialogues are invited. For additional information contact Connie Jacobs, connie.jacobs@darpa.mil.

Department of Homeland Security Small Business Vendor Outreach Sessions

Vendor Outreach Sessions are a series of pre-arranged 15-minute appointments with Small Business Specialists from various components of the Homeland Security procurement offices. These sessions provide the small business community an opportunity to discuss their capabilities and learn of potential procurement opportunities.

Scheduled participants from the Department include representatives from:

Department Headquarters (HQ)
U.S. Coast Guard (USCG)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
U.S. Secret Service (USSS)
Transportation and Security Administration (TSA)
The next Vendor Outreach Session is Thursday, May 22, 2008 from 9:00 am – 12:00 noon at:

Holiday Inn Capitol
Columbia Ballroom
550 C Street, SW
Washington, DC 20024

Appointments are scheduled via the web each month on a first-come, first-served basis and are quickly filled. Registration will open Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 12:00 noon (Eastern Time) Appointment scheduling instructions


Unsolicited Proposals

It is the policy of the U. S. Government to encourage the submission of new and innovative ideas in response to Broad Agency Announcements, Small Business Innovation Research topics, Small Business Technology Transfer Research topics, Program Research and Development Announcements, or any other Government-initiated solicitation or program. When the new and innovative ideas do not fall under topic areas publicized under those programs or techniques, the ideas may be submitted as unsolicited proposals.

Unsolicited proposals allow unique and innovative ideas or approaches that have been developed outside the Government to be made available to Government agencies for use in accomplishment of their missions. Unsolicited proposals are offered with the intent that the Government will enter into a contract with the offeror for research and development or other efforts supporting the Government mission, and often represent a substantial investment of time and effort by the offeror.

Preliminary contact with agency technical or other appropriate personnel before preparing a detailed unsolicited proposal or submitting proprietary information to the Government may save considerable time and effort for both parties. For more information see:

http://www.arnet.gov/far/current/html/Subpart%2015_6.html#wp1104869


You’re Invited: Ninth District Day in Washington D.C.

Ninth District Day is an opportunity for constituents and leaders from the business community and others to gather for a half-day forum in Washington D.C. The event is being held Thursday, May 15th, from 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Capitol Hill in the Rayburn House Office Building, Rooms B338 and B339.

For more on this year’s speakers and to register visit: http://www.house.gov/adamsmith/NDD2008registration.shtml


If you’d like to share your opinion or ask a question about procurement issues, please contact Rebecca Snyder, Procurement Coordinator, at (253)896-3775 or rebecca.snyder@mail.house.gov