From (L-R): Denise Rodriguez-Lopez, American Express OPEN Advisor on Teaming; Freida Curry, PTAC Director, WBDC; Alexandra Ytuarte, American Express OPEN, Senior Manager, Customer Advocacy
American Express OPEN Victory in Procurement has done a fantastic job of creating a robust environment through its LinkedIn group, with discussion from group members, over 50% of who are either chief operating officers or business owners. Denise Rodriguez-Lopez, American Express OPEN Advisor on Teaming, who recently spoke at the Women’s Business Development Center’s (WBDC) Victory in Procurement Marketing to the Federal Government event, provides insight.
Ms. Rodriguez-Lopez’s responses in the group, along with feedback from an attendee of the Chicago event, will give you a jumping off point in navigating government contracting and tell you what the Victory in Procurement program can offer your business.
Q: What do you look for in a successful teaming relationship?
Ms. Rodriguez-Lopez:
“When you are looking at a potential teaming partner, there are a lot of questions you need to answer: Are they reliable? Do they have experience? Do they have a positive industry reputation? Are they solid financially? You need to be comfortable and trust who you team with. Once you have vetted them, think about what the “team” will offer [you]: do their services/products complement yours and is there a demand for what the team may offer? Also remember that teaming does not necessarily have to be with folks you don’t know. Don’t overlook former employers and businesses within your circle.”
Q: Are there any particular websites that are used to identify companies in search of teaming partners?
Ms. Rodriguez-Lopez:
“Federal Procurement Data System www.fpds.gov; USA Spending www.usaspending.gov GSA E-Library http://www.gsaelibrary.gsa.gov/ElibMain/home.do; central Contractor Registration System www.ccr.gov*; trade associations for certain certifications, such as the 8(a) Association etc…”
Join the American Express OPEN Victory in Procurement LinkedIn group here: http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=4214818&trk=myg_ugrp_ovr
Joanne Cleaver attended the May 3rd American Express OPEN Victory in Procurement Marketing to the Federal Government workshop. Below is her response when asked what she learned from attending the May event as well as what attendees can learn from the Victory in Procurement Marketing to the Federal Government workshop in St.Louis on October 3rd?
“My key take away from the May OPEN [Marketing to the Federal Government] event was how to tailor my pitch to specific upcoming contracting opportunities. Denise Rodriguez-Lopez was an engaging and informative presenter, with well organized material and thorough answers to all our questions.
Based on what I learned, along with the ongoing coaching from the WBDC’s well informed staff, I have developed a ‘government pursuit plan’ that focuses on identifying the highest-potential opportunities, marketing my firm’s strategic communication services directly to small business advocates and hopefully to purchasing managers and customizing our materials to be most effective. As a result of all this, I have been invited to respond to a proposal for a substantial subcontracting opportunity with another woman-owned business.”
-Joanne Cleaver, Wilson-Taylor Associates, Inc. Develops and delivers effective strategic messages. For more information about Ms. Cleaver’s business visit: www.wilson-taylorassoc.com.
Register for the St. Louis American Express OPEN Victory in Procurement Marketing to the Federal Government here: http://goo.gl/I0Z1w
*Editors Note: As of July 29, 2012 ORCA and ccr.gov no longer exist. It is now www.sam.gov. If you have a prior CCR or ORCA account, it is possible to move data into www.sam.gov, once you have registered.
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