Growing Your Business

Guide: Growing Your Business Part Three

Selling to the Government and Getting Certified

Submit bids to government agencies and apply for certifications for women-, veteran- and minority-owned businesses.

Missouri and Kansas have a network of organizations called the Procurement Technical Assistance Centers that can help with submitting bids to government agencies. They also support businesses in gaining certifications for women-, veteran- and minority-owned businesses.

The Small Business Administration has compiled a list of federal contracting offices in the Midwest, complete with contact information for specific departments and agencies.

The resources below can help you sell to the government.

SKIP TO PART 4: HIRING AND RETAINING EMPLOYEES

Provider Information
Go Topeka/Entrepreneurial & Minority Business Development GO Topeka promotes and supports business in the Topeka, Kansas area by providing assistance to new and existing business seeking to start or grow, or those companies or corporations seeking to relocate or expand in the Topeka/Shawnee County Community.
GSA Office of Small Business Utilization The GSA Heartland Office of Small Business Utilization identifies bidding opportunities and contracting vehicles for small businesses.
Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Greater Kansas City The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Greater Kansas City is dedicated to the creation, advancement, promotion and development of economic opportunities within the Hispanic market and business community.
Hispanic Economic Development Corporation The Hispanic Economic Development Corporation (HEDC) is dedicated to improving the lives of Latinos within the greater Kansas City. HEDC achieves this through business development and economic and community wealth creation initiatives.
Kansas Department of Commerce, Office of Minority & Women Business Development Kansas Department of Commerce, Office of Minority & Women Business Development promotes business development with a focus on minority-owned and women-owned businesses.
Kansas Procurement Technical Assistance Center - Kansas City The JCCC Kansas PTAC provides goverment procurement services to small businesses in over 17 counties in Kansas including Johnson, Wyandotte, Douglas and Leavenworth.
Miami County Economic Development Department The Miami County (Kan.) Economic Development Department assists businesses in their development and expansion while promoting the region's economic growth.
Mid-America Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce The Mid-America Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (Mid-America GLCC) is an organization that advocates, promotes and facilitates the success of the LGBT business community and their allies through the guiding principles of equality, inclusion, economics and education.
Missouri Procurement Technical Assistance Center - Kansas City MO PTAC assist businesses — including small, disadvantaged and women owned firms — in obtaining federal, state and local government contracts.
Mountain Plains Minority Supplier Development Council Mountain Plains Minority Supplier Development Council promotes the growth and development of minority businesses through B-to-B opportunities and government contracts.

Becoming certified

Certification programs can help you market your business to both large business and governments. Many large corporations and governmental entities set-aside a percentage of their purchasing contracts for small businesses, minority and/or women owned businesses. Becoming “certified” as one or more of these types of businesses enables a company to bid on contracting opportunities. MWBE.com offers a description of certification.

Many large corporations accept certification through third parties, such as Mountain Plains Minority Supplier Development Council and the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council.

Most government entities will require a company to at least go through a streamlined or shortened verification process that is specific to that agency. Certification can take from 30-90 days.

Organizations to assist in procurement and certification:

Provider Information
City of Kansas City, MO-KCBizCare KCBizCare is a division of the City of Kansas City, Missouri City Manager's Office. KC BizCare is a free business resource, advocacy and information center for new and existing businesses operating within the City.
Hispanic Economic Development Corporation The Hispanic Economic Development Corporation (HEDC) is dedicated to improving the lives of Latinos within the greater Kansas City. HEDC achieves this through business development and economic and community wealth creation initiatives.
Kansas Department of Commerce, Office of Minority & Women Business Development Kansas Department of Commerce, Office of Minority & Women Business Development promotes business development with a focus on minority-owned and women-owned businesses.
Missouri Procurement Technical Assistance Center - Kansas City MO PTAC assist businesses — including small, disadvantaged and women owned firms — in obtaining federal, state and local government contracts.
Mountain Plains Minority Supplier Development Council Mountain Plains Minority Supplier Development Council promotes the growth and development of minority businesses through B-to-B opportunities and government contracts.
Veterans Business Resource Center, KC Satellite Office Free assistance to honorably discharged veterans and existing military with preparations to self-employment or business expansion.
Women's Business Center Provide training, mentoring, networking opportunities and business consulting to help women start & grow their businesses.