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Business Sales Growth Seminars

Growing Your Sales

• Growing Sales
• Selling to the Federal Government
• Business Certification
• eVa Information

 

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Selling to the Commonwealth

The Commonwealth of Virginia buys almost $5 billion in goods, services and construction annually. This business-to-government market represents growth opportunities for Virginia firms interested in selling their products and services to state government.

Virginia's government purchasing is conducted on eVA, the state's electronic purchasing system. Businesses interested in selling to the Commonwealth need to register on eVA in order to access state procurement opportunities. To access online eVA vendor registration, visit www.eva.virginia.gov and click on "Sign Up," then on "Register your company as a vendor." eVA is managed by the Department of General Services (DGS), the Commonwealth agency which oversees state purchasing and sets related policies. VDBA has partnered with DGS to develop educational tools and provide outreach throughout the Commonwealth, helping businesses understand how to use the eVA system.

Using the following reference sections of VDBA's website, businesses can proactively navigate the state contracting process, while developing prospects for new business.

• List of State Agencies making purchases from small businesses
• One on One Counseling
• Library - This resource will let you access a variety of web links and electronic reference material on the topic of state government purchasing.
• Selling to Schools - This is a list of contacts to help your business sell to colleges in The Commonwealth.
• Vendor Training Tools - Our most helpful vendor training tool is the "Selling To The Commonwealth Supplier Tip Sheet." This two-page brochure provides step-by-step instructions and contact information for help with the process.
• Technical Assistance - contact VDBA's Procurement Assistance Team at (804) 371-0465
• Supplier-Buyer Networking Events - VDBA is host or partner to supplier-buyer networking events around Virginia. These are low-cost or free events which provide businesses an educational experience, and an opportunity to meet state government buyers face to face. Check our website Events Calendar for upcoming "Selling To The Commonwealth" events in your region.
• Supplier-Buyer Exchange - VDBA issues a bi-monthly online newsletter for people interested in Virginia's government purchasing process (Link goes to current issue - access archived issues in the right-hand column).

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Selling to the Federal Government

The federal government is a vast and varied marketplace for goods and services. Between the many federal government agencies and the military, the federal government spends around $350 billion annually. There are a number of organizations that can help your company tap into this market:

• Procurement Technical Assistance Center - Holds seminars and conferences about federal procurement, as well as in-person counseling sessions for individual businesses.
• Central Contractor Registration (CCR) - This online registration is required of companies seeking to sell goods and services to the federal government.

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Business Certification

STATE CERTIFICATIONS: The Commonwealth is committed to having an open and fair government marketplace. In an effort to reach diversity among state government suppliers, and make sure that historically underutilized businesses gain access to state contracting opportunities, the Commonwealth is tracking state government spending with small, women and minority owned (SWAM) businesses.

All Commonwealth agencies maintain procurement utilization plans, with targets for spending with SWAM firms. Having this designation can increase your opportunities as a state vendor.

The Department of Minority Business Enterprise oversees the Commonwealth's SWAM initiative and provides certification to firms interested in obtaining SWAM designation.

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eVa Information

• eVA Overview
• Understanding Commodity Codes
• Who's Buying What You Sell?
• eVA Account Maintenance Tips
• New Vendor Registration Guide

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