Each year Pennsylvania awards millions of dollars in state contracts in a wide array of information technologies–for electronic document management systems, e-commerce, geographic information systems, LANs/WANs services, software development and more. But so far, few of them have come form the Johnstown area. Bob Shark wants to change that.
Of the 170 Pennsylvania firms certified to compete for state contracts under the states Invitation to Qualifty (ITQ) system, only two on the list are from Cambria and Somerset counties. Thats the region covered by Johnstown Area Regional Industries, which will sponsor an April 20 workshop for local firms on how they can put themselves in position to bid on state contracts.
Despite the regions dominance in federal contracts, particularly in defense, the area has paid less attention to state contracts, says Shark. Its been focused on the federal side, as opposed to the state side. We want to bring the numbers up, to take advantage of those opportunities.
The one-day workshop is led by Dennis Fellin, who leads the states IT and telecommunication procurement effort. Fellin will lead participants through the paperwork required for ITQ status.
“The proposal requires some effort, says Shark. You need to have a track record and have been in business for a certain number of years. You cant do it in ten minutes online.”
JARI will partner with Indiana University of Pennsylvania and the Altoona Blair County Development Corporation to reach small businesses in the ten-county central Pennsylvania area. Refundable registration closes Friday, April 16.
Source: Bob Shark, JARI
Writer: Chris OToole