Government Contracting Workshops at Maui Tech Park

Maui Research and Technology Center in Kihei. Photo courtesy of HTDC.

By Sonia Isotov

On Wednesday, June 5, Maui small businesses will have the chance to speak to experts on government contracting at a free workshop.

The workshop, “Government Contracting 101: HUBZone Certification; WOSB and EDWOSB Programs,” will take place at the Maui Research and Technology Center building, at 590 Lipoa Parkway, Suite 119, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., according to the Small Business Development Center on Maui.

Experts from Hookipaipai LLC, the Procurement Technical Assistance Center in Hawaii, and an agency under the Office of Hawaiian Affairs will be on Maui to deliver this government contracting workshop. The workshop will describe how the government buys goods and services, how to become certified and registered on the federal, state and local levels and find government contracting prime and subcontracting opportunities.

Also covered will be the benefits and requirements for small business participation as 8(a), Historically Utilized Business Zone, Woman Owned, and Veteran‐Owned business enterprises.

According to the the Center’s website, the United States Congress, under the National Defense Authorization Act, created the Procurement Technical Assistance Program. Procurement Technical Assistance Centers were established nationwide to reach out to local businesses and assist them with obtaining government contracts and subcontracts.

On May 1, 2011, the federal government awarded a grant to a non-profit limited liability corporation by the name of Hookipaiai provides assistance to small businesses in Hawaii who want to secure government contracts and sub-contracts. Their services include training as well as technical assistance. All services are free of charge.

The organizations also provides one-on-one counseling sessions to help small business owners and managers learn how to obtain government solicitations, prepare bids or offers in order to win contracts from the government.

Lisa Haggerty is the program manager for the Hawai`i Procurement Technical Assistance Center. According to their website, she is the recipient of the 2011 Regional Certified Business Analyst of the Year Award presented by the Small Business Development Center at the University of North Florida and has achieved level II associate contracting assistant specialist certification which indicates her specialized procurement training.

The workshop will take place at the Maui Research and Technology Center building, at 590 Lipoa Parkway, Suite 119, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. For more information and to register, go to http://www.hiptac.org/.