The Mason Enterprise Center (MEC) and the Town of Leesburg are pleased to announce a new partnership with the Procurement Technical Assistance Program (PTAP). To launch this effort, PTAP offered a seminar entitled, “So You Want To Be A Government Contractor?” at the MEC in Leesburg.

“We sought this new partnership with PTAP specifically to support the increased interest from local businesses in government contracting, brought about by the Leesburg HUBZone,” explained Marantha Edwards, Leesburg’s Economic Development Director. “Since the HUBZone designation was announced, not only is Leesburg attracting new federal contractors, but also our existing businesses are showing interest in expanding into government contracting.”

The Procurement Technical Assistance Program (PTAP), based at the MEC headquarters in Fairfax, provides specialized expertise to companies who are considering expanding their business to include government contracting or who are already government contractors and want to grow their business. PTAP’s goal is to help companies do business with government at the Federal, state and local levels, through services including: counseling, market research, educational seminars, and a Bid-Matching Program. PTAP provides training programs on a myriad of topics from basic to high level, to meet the needs of companies who may be new to contracting and those who need to move to the next level of knowledge and competitiveness.

“I am committed to responding to the demand in Leesburg and Loudoun County for PTAP services & expertise,” said Anna Urman, PTAP’s new director. “I look forward to working with Leesburg and the MEC located there, to assist and grow companies in the government contracting space.”

In addition to the morning seminar, Ms. Urman and PTAP counselors scheduled individual counseling sessions with companies in the afternoon. The seminar is designed to teach businesses how to get started as a government contractor, what the various set-aside certifications are all about and the tools and strategies that can help even established contractors grow their business.

“During my previous work in Kansas City, I experienced first-hand the significant impact that PTAP can have in assisting companies grow their business in the contracting sector,” stated Susan Henson, MEC Regional Manager. “I anticipate PTAP’s support of Leesburg and Loudoun businesses will offer similar positive results.”

PTAP is funded through a grant from the Department of Defense that is matched by the George Mason University and other local partners.

For more information, please visit www.vaptap.org or contact Marantha Edwards, Economic Development Director: medwards@leesburgva.gov, 703-737-7019