The federal government’s goal is to award at least 5% of all federal contracting dollars to women-owned small businesses each year! But how do you know if the government purchases your product or service?

This session will provide market research tips and techniques to help businesses find opportunities to bid on. Public sector marketplaces offer significant opportunities for many small, woman owned businesses. Women owned certifications and the competitive advantages they offer for both federal and state government agencies and primes will also be explored.

We will also discuss the Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Federal Contracting program. WOSB helps provide a level playing field for women business owners through government limits on competition for certain contracts to businesses that participate in the program. These contracts are for specific industries where WOSBs are underrepresented. Some contracts are restricted further to economically disadvantaged women-owned small businesses (EDWOSBs).

About the Presenters:

Tiffany Scroggs – Washington State PTAC Program Director

Tiffany Scroggs is Program Director for the Washington State PTAC.  Her mission is to increase the number of government contracts that are awarded to Washington State firms.  Tiffany is a certified government contracting assistance counselor by the Association of PTAC’s and has obtained Federal Contractor Certification and Veteran Assistance Program Certification to assist Veteran Owned Businesses. Tiffany has BA in Communication from Western Washington University and a Masters Degree in Public Administration from The Evergreen State College.  Tiffany has worked with the small business community since moving to Olympia in 2003 and is an active Rotarian.

The Washington State PTAC assists businesses through the government-contracting marketplace. Washington PTAC’s mission is to increase the number of government contracts awarded to Washington firms so that those firms can grow. PTAC provides no cost, confidential, one-on-one technical assistance in all aspects of selling to federal, state, and local governments. Not In Washington State? Contact the PTAC serving your state by going to www.aptac-us.org.

Jessica Vidican-Neisius – Washington Women’s Business Center Director

Jessica has been a successful business owner since 1995 and has worked across all disciplines involved in operating a small business. She possesses extensive knowledge of business concepts and a solid financial acumen. Jessica has built two restaurants and four WSDA certified food processing facilities, with full responsibility for all aspects of business operations, including strategic planning, budgeting, sales, marketing, product development, human resources, and mentoring talent. She has created and implemented training programs and has been responsible for assessing effectiveness of operational policies and procedures under 3rd party audit review.

Jessica possesses the skills and knowledge that will contribute to her success as a center director and is delighted to share her experience to help other business owners succeed. Jessica holds a BA in Community Studies and Graduate Certificate in Education from the University of California – Santa Cruz. She is National Cohort member of the Goldman Sachs/Babson College 10K Small Business Program.

Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact WBC@businessimpactnw.org or call (206) 324-4330 x 103