A Guide To STARTING A BUSINESS IN MINNESOTA 42nd Ed 2024

• View and submit BioPreferred and Service Contract Reports • Access publicly available award data via data extracts and system accounts

Apex Accelerator assists businesses by providing individualized technical assistance in navigating federal, state, and local contracting requirements as well as performance assistance. Assistance with market identification, registration, federal contracting regulations, military specifications, subcontracting opportunities, training, and ongoing technical support throughout the procurement process is offered. Contact information for the various federal, state, county, city and other procurement /purchasing certification offices are listed in the Procurement/Purchasing/ Certification/Other Assistance section of the Resource Directory of this Guide. Procurement Center Representatives Procurement Center Representatives (PCRs) assist small businesses who are trying to win federal contracts. PCRs view many federal acquisition and procurement strategies before they’re announced, which enables them to influence opportunities that should be set aside for small businesses. PCRs also: Help carry out SBA policies and programs Conduct market research Assist small businesses with payment issues Provide counseling on the contracting process Commercial Market Representatives Commercial Market Representatives (CMRs) work to ensure that small businesses are receiving maximum practicable opportunity to participate as Federal subcontractors. CMRs perform reviews of “other than small” Federal contractors to ensure their compliance with the goals and objectives in their small business subcontracting plans. They provide training to Federal agencies and “other than small” contractors on subcontracting plans and their reporting requirements. STATE PROCUREMENT The state of Minnesota has a program for enabling small businesses and small businesses owned by targeted groups to participate in the state procurement process. Under this program, the state may set aside certain contracts for award to small businesses, may grant preferences for bids by small targeted group businesses, and may require state contractors to subcontract with small firms. The small business procurement program and the targeted group procurement program are administered by the Minnesota Department of Administration through their Office of Equity in

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