With 2011 slated to set a second consecutive record in construction expenditures aboard Camp Lejeune, New River and Cherry Point, staff with the North Carolina Military Business Center will visit Fayetteville (3/10), Charlotte (4/4) and Cary (4/5) to help give local contractors an edge in securing the available work.
Training will focus on source selection, with administrators discussing the factors on which the government evaluates contractors and how to correctly compile an application for a work contract. Talks will also cover the post-award process: How to properly execute the work and better ensure being chosen for subsequent contracts.
NCMBC’s program manager for the military construction initiative and a teacher of the course, Sue Kranes, said she was uniquely able to assist potential government contractors as a former chief of acquisitions for Naval Facilities Mid-Atlantic.
“The contractors that we have been working with have won federal contracts under some of the guidance that we provide,” she said. “We try to help contractors with their proposals prior to submission, and we also do a lot of partnering joint venturing so we’re hooking up other firms, the right firms. We provide a lot of guidance and training form that perspective. Our success rate, I believe would be how many contractors have won contracts, and we’ve had quite a few.”
Center executive director Scott Dorney said the additional training reflects the increasing amount of work available at local bases. Camp Lejeune, New River, and Cherry Point received $810 million in federal military construction funding in the 2010 fiscal year, exceeding 2009’s funding by nearly a quarter. This year is expected to set another record, with $850 million worth of construction projects planned.
“We’ve got NC contractors who need to have the pre-award skills right now. Doing the work is only half the battle; you have to be able to win the work,” Dorney said. “Then, we want them to perform well on their post-award skills so that their first contract won’t be their last.”
Following the training, Dorney said the center provides a spectrum of services to assist local businesses throughout the process of securing and completing government work. While the training is free, pre-registration is required. To register for the event, click here.