Becoming Contract Ready

The United States Air Force has begun the process of replacing the Minuteman III missile system and this could be a big opportunity for small business in Wyoming. Much of the work should be administered from the F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, WY. A project of this scale means there will be opportunities for entrepreneurs from virtually every industry including food services, construction and more. Now is the time for entrepreneurs to focus on becoming contract ready.

Big Opportunities for Government Contractors in Cheyenne

The economic impact of a project of this size and scope will be tremendous for our state. Congress recently allocated $90 billion for the modernization of the ground based strategic deterrent (GBSD) weapons system. The engineering and design phase of this project is estimated to begin in 2020 and completed in 2029. The prime contractor for this project will soon be chosen and that is when small businesses throughout the state will have a chance to offer their products or services.

Now is the time to act and become “contract ready.” Entrepreneurs will need to obtain a Data Universal Numbering System number, register in the System for Award Management, see if they qualify for any of the Department of Defense’s socioeconomic programs and learn how to respond to solicitations. It may seem overwhelming at first, but there are plenty of resources in Wyoming to help you prepare.

Becoming Contract Ready

The Wyoming Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) and various state partners will host the following no-cost webinars to help businesses in Wyoming achieve contract readiness:

• March 27: HUBZone and 8(a) Certification
• April 10: Women/Veteran-Owned Small Business Certifications
• May 1: Pitching to Government Agencies
• May 15: Responding to Federal Contracting Solicitations
• You can also watch previously recorded webinars here

Help is Available

If you need help wading through the government jargon and the rules, the Wyoming PTAC exists solely to provide that assistance to you, at no charge. You can contact your local advisor here.

About the Author: Rich Lyles is the Manager for the Procurement Technical Assistance Center in the Wyoming Small Business Development Center Network. Previously, he worked as a Government Contracts Advisor and as the Deputy Director of the Procurement Outreach Program in the Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development for five years. Rich is a 1991 graduate of UNLV with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, and received his MBA from UNLV in 1994. When he’s not in the office, Rich likes to travel and do leatherworking.