The government is required to award 23% of its contracts to small businesses. However getting a foot in the door and navigating the federal bureaucracy to land one of these deals can be daunting. Bidding for government contracts is a highly competitive process that is typically done online through the GSA schedules. Buyers will typically only reach out to the most responsive and responsible vendors who offer the lowest prices.

This is why Hector Barreto, a former administrator of the Small Business Administration has organized networking events to introduce the government and large corporations to small business. Business Matchmaking hosts events throughout the country to educate small business owners and put them in front of buyers. The events typically target minority, women, veteran and disabled veteran owned firms who are limited in their ability to gain exposure to contracts.

While the event is free, participating small businesses have to meet certain eligibility criteria. You must have a DUNS number and register with the Central Contractor Registration, the government’s primary vendor database. Event organizers pair small businesses with buyers based on the services offered and needed. When a business signs up, they get prepped so they can take advantage of every minute of face time. If there is not a strong fit between vendor and buyer, Business Matchmaking can suggest where to go at another agency.

Business Matchmaking is sponsored by SCORE and several major corporations (e.g., American Airlines, Microsoft). Organizers estimate that $7 billion to $8 billion in contracts have been purchased over the past three years from connections made at the networking events. And they have helped organize over 75,000 meetings.

This can be a strong lead generation tool for your business, so why not attend one of these events? At the least you can gain a list of relevant government contacts to follow up with after only several hours of attending.

The weak economy has impacted most businesses but the government has to keep operating and has to purchase new products or services. The government also purchases a variety of products from transportation to security guard services and janitorial services – and they pay on time!

You can find out about upcoming events in your area here. If you are a buyer, you can access the Portal for Buyers to get started. If you cannot attend one of these events, you can join the Business Matchmaking online network to connect with buyers and learn about program updates.

Being certified as a State of Florida Certified Business Enterprise can be great for your business. During tough economic times a certification can help differentiate your small business and provide an advantage in winning government contracts. As of July 2009 there are over 5,000 businesses certified with the state of Florida – why not join these businesses and gain a competitive edge?

The certification helps small businesses get first in line for referrals to state agencies seeking to include supplier diversity as a part of their contract opportunities. And it is widely accepted throughout the state by various governmental and private entities.

Are you eligible?

To be eligible for certification as a Certified Business Enterprise, you need to meet the following requirements:

• 51% of your company must be owned, managed and controlled by an individual from one of the following groups: African-American, Hispanic-American, Asian-American, Native-American, American Woman or Service-Disabled Veteran (minimum 10% disability) who are citizens of the United States and permanent residents of Florida.

• Independently own and operate a small business with a net worth that does not exceed $5 million as of August 2009.

• Employ 200 or fewer full-time permanent employees or be recognized as a certified business by the federal government.

• Your company must be engaged in commercial transactions.

• You must operate a business in Florida.

• You must own and operate a for-profit business enterprise, as the Office of Supplier diversity does not certify non-profit companies.

If you want to understand the complete eligibility requirements you can check out the Florida Statutes and the Office of Supplier Diversity certification site. To prove eligibility, you must provide supporting documentation.

To get started with the process first register your business in MyFloridaMarketPlace.

After a lot of hard work I’m very pleased to announce that PublicSpend is now live! Check it out here. Below is a copy of our launch announcement:

PublicSpend Launches New Website That Uses Government Data To Help Buyers Find The Best Companies To Do Business With In Their Area

Launching in Florida with more than 2,200 Government Certified Vendors across 25 different business categories, PublicSpend enables buyers to search for the companies that their local government agencies have already qualified

MIAMI, FL – June 16, 2009 – It’s rare to find a company that is as rigorous at selecting whom it purchases from as a federal, state or local government agency. Yet despite government’s efforts to be as open and transparent as possible, it’s way too difficult to find out which vendors they have already qualified. With so many independent agencies – from a federal or state department to a local county, city, or school board – the data is spread across thousands of different places. PublicSpend, which launched across Florida today, is the first website dedicated to centralizing in one searchable place every certified government vendor. Now buyers are able to piggyback off of government’s work by finding local businesses that have already been qualified by the largest customer in town.

“Due to its unique position government works hard to make sure that the public’s money is spent with only the most responsive and responsible vendors but very few people know how to take advantage of this” said Stuart Lander, Founder and CEO of PublicSpend. “Our research uncovered that only 17% of certified government vendors actually have their own web presence. These are some of the brightest small businesses in America but until today no one could easily find them. PublicSpend will ensure these companies are more accessible online and at the same time help government agencies pursue their goal of total transparency.”

For certified government vendors, PublicSpend provides a simple yet powerful way to promote their business using a variety of free web-based tools, including:

• Online Listing – In only a few minutes vendors can create a strong web presence where they can post dynamic information about their business
• Qualification Management – Vendors can manage all of their government qualifications and certification renewals from a unique account center

With more than 2,200 companies already listed on PublicSpend, the site has got off to the best possible start. “Winning work with government is some of the most difficult business you can secure” said Karmen Burn, General Manager of Landscape Service Professionals, one of PublicSpend’s featured vendors. “The selection criteria and process is exhaustive but at last PublicSpend can help us broadcast our successes to a wider audience without the need for any expensive technology or marketing investment.”

While coverage is initially limited to Florida, any certified government vendor can sign up regardless of their location. PublicSpend intends to expand into more states in the coming months.