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

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Kansas City Area Transportation Authority

The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority connects people to opportunities through safe, reliable public transportation. KCATA is a bi-state agency charged with serving the transportation and development needs of the Kansas City region.

Specializes in: Obtaining Government Contracts

Missouri Apex Accelerator - Kansas City

Missouri Apex Accelerator - Kansas City assists businesses — including small, disadvantaged and women-owned firms — in obtaining federal, state and local government contracts.

Specializes in: Obtaining 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.

Specializes in: Obtaining Government Contracts

The Toolbox: Small Business Resource Center

The Toolbox: Small Business Resource Center is the go-to resource for everything small business in Wyandotte County, Kansas. All services are offered at no cost to local residents and businesses. The Toolbox provides support with planning, registering, funding, operating and growing your business through private one-on-one small business coaching.

Specializes in: Obtaining Government Contracts

Economic Development Corporation of Kanas City

The Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City, Missouri, is a not-for-profit organization that is the city of KCMO's primary development organization and provides assistance to new and expanding businesses already located in Kansas City, Missouri, or those considering a KC location.

In addition, the EDC administers the city's TIF program, LCRA and Enhanced Enterprise/Zone Works program.

GO Topeka

GO Topeka creates county-wide economic success for all companies and citizens through implementation of an aggressive economic development strategy that capitalizes on the unique strengths of the community.

GSA Heartland Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU)

The Heartland Regional Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) serves as the Region 6 liaison and advocate for small businesses in Missouri, Kansas, Iowa and Nebraska. As an advocate for small business owners, it is the mission of the OSDBU to promote increased access to GSA's nationwide procurement opportunities.

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 of Greater Kansas City

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

The Kansas Department of Commerce, Office of Minority and Women Business Development promotes business development with a focus on minority-owned and women-owned businesses.

Kansas Procurement Technical Assistance Center - Kansas City

The Johnson County Community College Kansas Procurement Technical Assistance Center provides government 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, Kansas Economic Development Department assists businesses in their development and expansion while promoting the region's economic growth.

Mid-America LGBT Chamber of Commerce

The Mid-America LGBT Chamber of Commerce advocates, promotes and facilitates the success of the LGBT business community and their allies through the guiding principles of equality, inclusion, economics and education to create, identify and enhance business opportunities for the LGBT and allied community.

The Black MasterMind Group Charitable Foundation

The Black MasterMind Group Charitable Foundation is designed to create strategies to help the Black entrepreneurial community start, stabilize, sustain and scale businesses. It educates, trains, coaches, mentors, develops and provides funding initiatives

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. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce offers a description of certification.

Many large corporations accept certification through third parties, such as Mountain Plains Minority Supplier Development Council and the Wom2en’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:

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