Oklahoma Bid Assistance Network Receives Funding

Volume 36

Number 3

Fall 2005

Story by Ann Houston

Oklahoma Bid Assistance Network Receives Funding

The Defense Logistics Agency recently awarded $495,000 to the Oklahoma Department of CareerTech to continue its Oklahoma Bid Assistance Network (OBAN). OBAN is in its 19th year of service for businesses that want to do business with the government.

Established in 1986 by the state CareerTech agency, OBAN trains Oklahoma firms to successfully compete for and perform government contracts. Customized services are delivered from 15 of Oklahoma’s technology centers across the state.

The return on investment of tax dollars at mid-year was 130 to one. This means for every tax dollar spent, 130 dollars in contracts were awarded to Oklahoma businesses.

In August, OBAN sponsored the Manufacturing for Aviation Conference at Gordon Cooper Technology Center. More than 130 people participated in this event.

Later in August OBAN helped organize a Small Business Opportunities Fair held at Metro Technology Centers for small businesses to learn how to be involved in a $500 million contract to increase efficiency at Tinker Air Force Base (See Sidebar).

The OBAN leads its clients through the government procurement maze. This network trains Oklahoma firms to successfully compete for and perform government contracts.

Local bid assistance personnel at CareerTech’s technology centers assist in:
Locating bidding and subcontracting opportunities in manufacturing, construction, services, and research and development.
Developing approved quality assurance and inspection systems.
Developing a company profile for federal, state, local and international bidding opportunities.
Locating and obtaining federal and military specifications, standards, acquisitions regulations, and other technical information cited by reference in bid documents.
Providing detailed information on the goods and services that government agencies are buying today.
Providing rapid access to valuable research information, including information on previous buying trends.

Contact your nearest local technology center at www.okcareertech.org for more information on services found through the Bid Assistance Center in your area. Visit the OBAN Website at: http://www.okbid.org

Related Story

Companies Learn About Tinker Contract

More than 200 representatives from companies throughout the state recently learned how they could be a part of the contract for transformation of maintenance, repair and overhaul at the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center, Tinker Air Force Base.

These companies attended the Small Business Opportunity Fair at Metro Technology Center organized by the Oklahoma Bid Assistance Network (OBAN), a joint service of the Oklahoma Department of CareerTech and the Defense Logistics Agency Procurement Technical Assistance Program. Sponsors were OBAN, Oklahoma Small Business Development Center, Rose State College, and the Small Business Administration.

In May the Columbus, Ohio company, Battelle was awarded a $500 million contract to design, develop, construct and implement a lean transformation which is intended to improve operating and financial efficiencies at the base. Battelle and its first-tier subcontractors, ARINC and Standard Aero, provided information at the Opportunity Fair on how small businesses can partner in this project.

Representatives of companies attending the fair learned about opportunities to subcontract, primarily in areas of electrical, roofing, painting and other trades. They also were able to participate in individual interviews with Battelle, Standard Aero, ARINC and Hensel Phelps Construction.

“Our goal was to provide information and opportunities for small businesses to network with those involved in the Tinker project,” said Carter Merkle, program manager for OBAN.

One such organization was the Guthrie Job Corps, who plans to offer a similar event at its center to assist small businesses on the bidding process. The Job Corps brought together a jobs and economic development program with the businesses it needs to fulfill its mission. “The program, the businesses and the students served all will benefit from the networking provided,” said Merkle.

For more information about the OBAN, please contact Merkle at camerkle@okec.org or 405-743-5592.