UACES Facebook APAC to hold workshops to help Arkansas businesses with government contracting
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APAC to hold workshops to help Arkansas businesses with government contracting

By Emily Thompson
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Sept. 15, 2017 

Fast Facts:

  • Arkansas Procurement Assistance Center will hold workshop Oct. 18 to help Arkansas businesses procure government contracts with U.S. Navy
  • Other events planned for late September, early October
  • Info: contact the center at APAC@uada.edu or 501-671-2390. 

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LITTLE ROCK -- Last fiscal year alone, the U.S. federal government issued more than $346 billion in government contracts. More than $900 million of those contracts were with Arkansas businesses. 

“A continual revenue stream of government contracts can be life-changing for the communities these businesses are in,” said Melanie Berman, program manager for the Arkansas Procurement Assistance Center, or APAC, part of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. “Business owners may be able to diversify, as well as increase their revenue stream when delving into the government contracting arena.” 

APAC is hosting a series of workshop and events to help local businesses expand, including:  

 

  • Sept. 27, Conway – “Doing Business with the Government,” 10 a.m.-noon, Conway area Chamber of Commerce
  • Oct. 5, Fayetteville – “Small Business Enterprise Summit,” 8:30 a.m.-3:15 p.m., Walton College, University of Arkansas Fayetteville campus
  • Oct. 18, Little Rock – “Doing Business with the Navy,” 10 a.m.-noon, Cooperative Extension Service headquarters, 2301 S. University Ave. 

“Attendees will hear from multiple speakers, including the U.S. Navy’s Small Business Director, Emily Harman,” Berman said. For information, contact the center at APAC@uada.edu or 501-671-2390. 

Helping local communities

APAC provides one-on-one counseling and training that help Arkansas businesses generate new revenue streams and create new jobs through government contracting. 

“In Arkansas, 40 out of 75 counties are economically distressed, determined by unemployment and income rates,” Berman said. “If we can get business owners to understand that the government should be considered a buyer in the marketplace, then we can bring in more dollars to the state, especially to these economically disadvantaged counties. APAC can help businesses understand how the government buys their product and services, as well as to help clients navigate the government’s way of conducting business.” 

A&A Fire and Safety Co. of Cabot, Arkansas, became an APAC client in 2014. After working with APAC staff, the company won $650,000 in federal contracts from the Department of Army, Department of Air Force, the National Park Service and the Defense Logistics Agency. 

APAC services and trainings are free to Arkansas businesses through funding provided by the Defense Logistics Agency, a federal agency, and the Cooperative Extension Service, part of the Division of Agriculture.
Learn more about what APAC can do for you: https://www.uaex.uada.edu/business-communities/apac-government-contracting/.

 

About the Division of Agriculture

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.  

The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on five system campuses.   

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs to all eligible persons without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action institution.  If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate or need materials in another format, please contact the Arkansas Procurement Assistance Center as soon as possible.  Dial 711 for Arkansas Relay.  

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Media Contact: Mary Hightower
Dir. of Communication Services
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2126
mhightower@uada.edu

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