Issue link: http://psai.uberflip.com/i/883683
W EEKLY EDITION OCT 4, 2017 PAGE 13 Industry Resources in Emergency and Recovery Situations …continued Note: The recent hurricanes in the Caribbean and southeastern US have shone a spotlight on how emergency response works – or doesn't work – in these areas. The following article on how to better prepare your company for action when disaster strikes was published in the PSAI's 2017 Industry Resource Directory. 48 2017 INDUSTRY RESOURCE DIRECTORY • Monitor the Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps) website. This is a free web-based portal that allows vendors to review Federal Procurement Opportunities over $25,000 in size. Vendor information will be forwarded to the appropriate program of!ce(s) and/or contracting of!cer(s) when applicable. Submission of a Vendor Pro!le is strictly voluntary. You can also search the Federal Business Opportunities website at www.fbo.gov for federal procurement opportunities related to FEMA, as well as other government needs for service. You may also wish to contact the Small Business Program via email at FEMA-SB@fema.dhs.gov to learn more about speci!c opportunities and guidelines relevant to your business. Useful Information for Suppliers 1. Promote your services in government-wide databases. FEMA uses the System For Award Management (SAM) database. Registering with this database will allow FEMA and other federal agencies to locate your business. 2. Use the Federal Business Opportunities Website—www.fbo.gov (also known as FedBizOpps or FBO). FedBizOpps is the single point-of-entry to search, monitor, and retrieve Federal procurement opportunities. You will also !nd subcontractor, supplier, and teaming opportunities here. 3. Accept the government credit card. The government buys more than $5 billion in goods and services annually with the purchase card. Most Contracting Of!cers prefer the purchase card for purchases. 4. Promote your business in electronic catalogs. GSA Advantage and other electronic commerce initiatives will allow you to list your product(s)/service(s) for government browsing. 5. Link your catalog listing to your website. Having a website will allow interested buyers to access additional information regarding your company after reviewing product descriptions. 6. Make your website sell. Brag on your experience and past performance record, as well as your product listing and !nancial stability. 7. Request a debrie!ng on unsuccessful awards. You will receive important feedback regarding your proposal, including pricing, teaming, suggestions, and experience. 8. Pursue state opportunities. Federal grants to the states make up half an agency's budget in some cases. 9. Team, partner, or form a joint venture. If you are strong in one business area, but inexperienced in another, !nd a subcontractor or teaming partner who can compensate in your areas of weakness. 10. Persevere. Making the right connection can take time. If you are a contractor and desire to send correspondence, please contact the following FEMA programs: FEMA—Industry Liaison Program 500 C St. SW Washington, DC 20024 Phone: 202-646-1895 Email: FEMA-Industry@fema.dhs.gov Website: www.fema.gov/about-industry-liaison-program FEMA Small Business Program Email: FEMA-SB@fema.dhs.gov CONTINUE D O N PAGE 14