Step 9: Seek additional assistance in the Defense marketplace

There are numerous agencies that can assist small business firms seeking to do business with the Army and other federal agencies, including:

• The Small Business Administration (SBA), which provides a wide array of services to small businesses including counseling, certifications, financial assistance, small business management assistance and free or low cost training.
• Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTAC), which serve as a resource for businesses that are both pursuing and performing under government contracts. They are located in most states and are partially funded by the Department of Defense. Services provided by PTACS include counseling, registration assistance for systems such as SAM, identification of contract opportunities, help in understanding requirements, and training at minimal or no cost.
• Small Business Development Centers (SBDC), which provide aspiring and current small business owners a variety of free business consulting and low-cost training services including: business plan development, manufacturing assistance, financial packaging and lending assistance, exporting and importing support, disaster recovery assistance, procurement and contracting aid, market research help, 8(a) program support, and healthcare guidance.
• Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE), a nonprofit association dedicated to helping small businesses gets off the ground, to grow and to achieve their goals through education and mentorship. They are supported by the SBA and thousands of volunteers and are consequently able to deliver their services at no charge or at very low cost.