HOUSE PASSES EXTENSION OF CONTRACTING SUPPORT PROGRAM FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

The House today passed by a vote of 49-12, Representatives Daneya Esgar and Tom Sullivan’s legislation to extend the Colorado Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) for the next five years.

“The Colorado Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) is an invaluable resource for small businesses across Colorado. Being able to take advantage of federal contracting is a huge boost to not only their businesses but to our economy said Rep. Esgar, D-Pueblo. “Minority, veteran and women-owned businesses need our support, and now that the House has passed PTAC, we’re one step closer to supporting these businesses for the next five years.

“Entering the world of government contracting is an exciting and nerve-wracking time for a small business. PTAC is a resource that guides small minority, veteran and women-owned businesses through the complex process,” said Rep. Sullivan, D-Centennial. “When small businesses succeed, Colorado is better for it.”

HB20-1116 would extend the Colorado Procurement Assistance Center for five years. The state currently contracts with a nonprofit to provide procurement assistance services, and that contract will end in September 2020. The bill will also allow the state to contribute additional resources to the program if the nonprofit agrees to match that investment 100 percent.

PTAC provides free consulting with procurement counselors, as well as a variety of subject matter experts, to Colorado’s small, women, veteran and minority-owned businesses applying for and performing government contracts at the federal, state and local levels. PTAC also runs free workshops and host events, including a training series, a speaker series and networking events with major federal contractors.

The program, which started in 2009, has served over 5,000 clients and helped support 55,000 jobs in Colorado. In 2018 alone, the program helped companies earn a combined $419 million in government contracts and helped create/retain over 8,000 jobs. The program has consistently outperformed its statutorily required performance metrics, serving six times the number of active businesses required by law. It has provided over 1,000 more counseling hours than required by law and sponsored twice as many events.