Federal, state, local and international governments can be important customers for your business, and selling to them is easier than you might think.  As your business grows, you might want to branch out and find new markets. Empire State Development’s Division for Small Business works with New York State small business firms to help them take advantage of contracting opportunities. 
 
Below are web addresses for those who want to pursue government contracting:

Federal Government
FedBizOpps.gov has been designed as a single point-of-entry for Federal buyers to publish and for vendors to find posted Federal business opportunities across departments and agencies. All procurement opportunities over $25,000 are listed. 
 
Department of Defense (DoD): Central Contractor Registration (CCR)DoD is the largest purchaser of goods and services in the world. CCR was created to be the single repository of vendor data for the entire DoD. 
 
SUBNet is an SBA-created tool for small firms to search and find subcontracting opportunities from prime contractors. 
 
U.S. Business Advisor is a one-stop access to federal government information, services, and transactions including selling to government. 
 
U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS): The “Open for Business” web page centralizes information to let every business in America know how to work with them.  This web page is intended to complement – not to duplicate or replace – mandatory government-wide portals such as FedBizOpps or the Central Contractor Registration system.  All vendors should continue to use the mandatory vendor access portals and use DHS – Open For Business to help navigate the Department and to better understand business mechanisms and relationships within DHS.   
 
Responder Knowledge Base: The National Memorial Institute for the Prevention of Terrorism has created this federally recognized database for companies to register and have their products certified. By registering with this database, your company will have access to national and international markets.

State and Local Government in New York State
New York State Office of General Services (OGS) awards contracts for use by State agencies, political subdivisions and other organizations authorized by law to use State contracts.  Visit OGS’s website, to register. 
 
Under the “For Business” heading, click on “Online Vendor Registration”.  A simple online registration form and easy to follow instructions will appear.  A few keystrokes later and your registration is complete.  Check the online bid opening calendar and the continuous recruitment sections to view current bidding opportunities.
 
New York State Contract Reporter: Subscribe to the "New York State Contract Reporter," a weekly electronic procurement opportunities newsletter containing notices of State agency, public authority and public benefit corporation bid solicitations. The "Contract Reporter" also publishes centralized services and technology bid opportunities and notices of upcoming commodity bid openings.  Sign up for the NYS Contract Reporter E-Alerts.
 
Directory of Frequently Purchased Commodities and Services by New York State Agencies is a publication from the Office of the State Comptroller that gives contact information on purchase agents at all State agencies and some public authorities, as well as, lists what that particular agency or authority purchases. To request a copy, call (518) 408-3283.

Additional Resources for Procurement Opportunities and Assistance
NYS firms are encouraged to explore procurement business opportunities in other states, and may be interested in international procurement markets. Some examples of useful sites: United Nations Procurement Division
 
Canada's purchasing entity, Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC), handles the procurement for many federal and provincial agencies. PWGSC uses the electronic tendering service, accessible by subscription, to solicit proposals.   
 
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offers help for government contracting.  The SBA has four main programs: Prime contracting assistance; Subcontracting assistance; Government property sales assistance; and the Certificate of Competency program. The objective of the programs is to assist small businesses in obtaining a fair share of Federal Government contracts, subcontracts, and property sales.  For complete information on SBA’s procurement assistance programs, visit their website.
 
Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTACs) funded by the federal government, provide assistance to businesses in marketing products and services to the Federal, state and local governments.    
 
New York State Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) can provide assistance to businesses on selling to government.   

Contact Information
For information on state procurement practices, information to get you placed on agency bidders' lists, provide current lists of subcontractors and suppliers, and assist you with the bid process please visit the Procurement Assistance Program. 

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