JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
Members from the 11th Contracting Squadron held a "Construction Industry Day" April 8, 2014, to better inform businesses about the bidding process for upcoming construction contracts available to Joint Base Andrews.
Approximately 70 attendees, ranging from construction representatives to business owners, gathered to discuss bidding requirements for upcoming contracts, finding requirement information, and how to use it to their advantage.
"We hold these conferences sporadically and as needed to inform possible bidders that current contracts are about to expire and new opportunities for them to do business with the government," said Corey Forshee, 11th CONS director of business operations.
The day included briefings covering the role of small business offices and rules for accessing federal contracts.
"Getting a government contract is not as daunting as they think it is and there are tools for them to locate opportunities that the government has," Forshee said. "Most importantly, we want to form a partnership with business firms to help us to acquire these much needed services."
Briefings stressed the importance of small businesses and the desire for competition in contracts that give these businesses the opportunity to earn new revenue.
"Contracts don't just go to the lowest bidder anymore. That can cause problems down the road," said Col. Dean Hartman, 11th Mission Support Group commander. "We're looking to form relationships with the businesses we work with, the community as well, so that down the road when these contracts open again we have an idea of the kind of competition and services that are available to help us complete our missions."