CareerTech Provides Bid Assistance to Companies

The Oklahoma Bid Assistance Network, a division of the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education, is beginning its 20th year of service to Oklahoma companies who want to conduct business with government agencies.

OBAN recently received $495,000 in a cost-matching cooperative agreement with the Defense Logistics Agency to help these Oklahoma companies.

“OBAN helps companies, large and small, contract for a wide variety of products and services,” said Carter Merkle, program manager. “We provide training, one-on-one counseling and partner with other organizations to assist companies in bidding for valuable contracts.”

OBAN has 15 bid assistance coordinators in 14 technology centers throughout the state. These coordinators work through the technology centers to provide bid matches, market research, procurement history, interpretation of technical drawings and specifications as well as individualized specific counseling sessions. Specialized workshops and training and small business programs also are offered.

OBAN plans to open at least one additional center this year.

OBAN operates out of the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology located in Stillwater. The state office provides resources, ensures OBAN meets the goals and requirements required by the cooperative agreement and ensures each coordinator has the resources and tools to work with the individual companies.

In 2005 OBAN’s return on investment was $418 to $1. Each year OBAN assists 2,000 Oklahoma companies and individuals who want to do business with local, county, state and federal agencies. OBAN has four construction plan rooms in the rural parts of Oklahoma to help construction companies with drawings and plans. They are High Plains Technology Center, Woodward; Red River Technology Center, Duncan; Pioneer Technology Center, Ponca City; and Indian Capital Technology Center, Muskogee.

For more information visit OBAN’s website at www.okbid.org or call 405-743-5571 to locate your local Bid Assistance Center.

Posted Oct. 23, 2006