Catalyst Connection
Central Pennsylvania Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC)
Collectively, federal, state, local and international governments are the world’s largest purchasers of goods and services. The Central PA PTAC helps companies explore and compete in these markets. The Center’s services, resources and training programs can assist companies in either entering the government market place or expanding their current market share. With the exception of bidmatching searches most services are provided free of charge to companies in our 18 county service area.
One-on-One counseling services help to:
Evaluate your firm’s potential to compete in different government markets.
Analyze the government purchasing agencies and procedures specific your firm’s products.
Identify applicable small business programs.
Analyze your competition.
Clarify government contracting requirements and regulations.
Provide customized market or contracting issue research and support.
Free Resources Include:
Government specifications.
Price and procurement histories.
Lists of state and federal buying agency contacts.
Lists of subcontracting contacts.
Web site references.
Additional Resources:
Company specific bid matching for state and federal contracting opportunities at $10.00 per month.
Government Purchasing Services are Available in the following counties:
Adams
Centre
Clinton
Columbia
Cumberland
Dauphin
Franklin
Juniata
Lancaster
Lebanon
Lycoming
Northumberland
Mifflin
Montour
Snyder
Perry
Union
York
If your firm is located outside of this service area, identify similar Procurement Technical Assistance Centers servicing your local area by visiting: www.dla.mil/db/
Delaware Valley Industrial Resource Center
Determine Your State and Local Business Tax Obligations in Pennsylvania
In addition to business taxes required by the federal government, you will have to pay some state and local taxes. Each state and locality has its own tax laws. Having knowledge of your state tax requirement can help you avoid problems and your business save money. The most common types of tax requirements for small business are income taxes and employment taxes.
Government Agency Coordination Office (GACO)
The Government Agency Coordination Office (GACO) of California University of Pennsylvania is a Procurement Technical Assistance Center that assists companies in the region interested in pursuing federal, state and local government contracting and subcontracting opportunities. The office also helps local businesses explore export opportunities.
Among its services, GACO assists businesses in the region by:
Advising and assisting companies in marketing products and services to government agencies
Identifying codes for federal government contracting
Notifying companies of bid opportunities
Assisting you with government registrations
Advising of subcontracting opportunities and establishing a profile in GACO's Subcontracting Match Program
Assisting companies in filing applications for placement on state and local bidders' lists
Advising on bid preparation
Assisting with specifications and standards data and technical data packages for federal government work
Researching historical cost data and parts suppliers
Providing guidance and points of contact for federal, state and local contracting
Conducting seminars for education and training in government contracting policies and procedures
Hosting procurement fairs for face-to-face marketing opportunities
The main GACO office is located at California University of Pennsylvania. Clients can also visit the Pittsburgh satellite office and the Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania satellite office. All offices are open from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday. Businesses interested in GACO services must complete a client application.
IMC-Pennsylvania
Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) Government Contracting Assistance Program (GCAP)
The IUP GCAP provides specialized and professional technical assistance to individuals and businesses seeking to pursue and successfully perform under contracting and subcontracting opportunities with the Department of Defense, other federal agencies, and/or state and local governments. In addition, GCAP provides individualized assistance with marketing strategies to reach government agencies.
GCAP is funded by a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Defense. Together with affiliates in Pittsburgh and Greensburg, GCAP services businesses in Allegheny, Armstrong, Fayette, Indiana, and Westmoreland counties.
GCAP is part of the Management Services Group (MSG), an umbrella organization for the IUP Eberly College of Business and Information Technology.
Government Contracting Assistance Program
650 South 13th Street
Robertshaw Building, Room 5
Indiana, PA 15705
Phone: 724-357-7824
Fax: 724-357-3082
iupptac@gmail.com
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m
Johnstown Area Regional Industires Procurement Technical Assistance Center (JARI PTAC)
The JARI PTAC provides specialized and professional technical assistance to individuals and businesses seeking to pursue and successfully perform under contracting and subcontracting opportunities with the Department of Defense, other federal agencies, and/or state and local governments.
MANTEC
Manufacturers Resource Center
Northeastern Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center
Northeastern Pennsylvania Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC)
The PTAC at the Northeastern Pennsylvania Alliance (NEPA) provides specialized and professional technical assistance to individuals and businesses seeking to pursue and successfully perform under contracting and subcontracting opportunities with the Department of Defense, other federal agencies, and/or state and local governments.
The PTAC offers assistance in businesses in Carbon, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, Schuylkill & Wayne counties in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
Contact information:
Karen Ostroskie
Government Procurement Manager
Enterprise Development Division
Phone: 570.655.5581, x244
kostroskie@nepa-alliance.org
Northwest Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center
Northwest Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC)
The Northwest PTAC provides specialized and professional technical assistance to individuals and businesses seeking to pursue and successfully perform under contracting and subcontracting opportunities with the Department of Defense, other federal agencies, and/or state and local governments.
This PTAC serves clients in the counties of Clarion, Crawford, Erie, Forest, Lawrence, Mercer, Venango and Warren.
Pennsylvania Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Business Center
MBDA provides funding for a network of minority business centers located throughout the nation. The Centers provide minority entrepreneurs with one-on-one assistance in writing business plans, marketing, management and technical assistance and financial planning to assure adequate financing for business ventures.
The Centers are staffed by business specialists who have the knowledge and practical experience needed to run successful and profitable businesses. Business referral services are provided free of charge. However, the network generally charges nominal fees for specific management and technical assistance services.
MBDA strives to create a new generation of minority-owned businesses generating $100 million in annual revenues. The strategic focus is to maximize job creation and global competitiveness for minority-owned businesses and to foster innovation and entrepreneurship with minority-owned businesses in high-growth industries.
The MBDA Business Center of Pennsylvania, operated by The Enterprise Center (TEC), is the region’s leader in minority business development.
Location:
4548 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19139
Telephone #: 215-895-4046
Program Director: James Sanders
To obtain additional information on the Minority Business Development Agency, please visit: www.mbda.gov.
Pennsylvania State Capital Office
The Pennsylvania State Capital Office serves as a State Data Center that provides education and access to Census Bureau data and products as well as other statistical resources to millions of data users at the local level. Population estimates and projections, income, poverty, and employment data in addition to other economic data and statistical resources are available.
Location and contact information:
Pennsylvania State Data Center
State Capital Office
Room 357 Forum Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120
-or-
Mailing Address:
777 West Harrisburg Pike
Middletown, PA 17057
Mr. John Mauer
jrm55@psu.edu
(717) 772-2710
FAX (717) 772-2683
Pennsylvania State Data Center
The Pennsylvania SDC serves as a State Data Center that provides education and access to Census Bureau data and products as well as other statistical resources to millions of data users at the local level. Population estimates and projections, income, poverty, and employment data in addition to other economic data and statistical resources are available.
Location and contact information:
Pennsylvania State Data Center
Institute of State and Regional Affairs
Penn State Harrisburg
777 West Harrisburg Pike
Middletown, PA 17057-4898
Ms. Sue Copella (Director)
sdc3@psu.edu
(717) 948-6336
FAX (717) 948-6754
Pennsylvania State Library
The Pennsylvania State Library serves as a State Data Center that provides education and access to Census Bureau data and products as well as other statistical resources to millions of data users at the local level. Population estimates and projections, income, poverty, and employment data in addition to other economic data and statistical resources are available.
Location and contact information:
Pennsylvania State Library
Forum Building, Room 219
333 Market Street
Harrisburg, PA 17057
Ms. Kathy Hale
kahale@state.pa.us
(717) 787-2327
FAX (717) 772-2683
Pennsylvania State Trademark Registration Information
To register a trademark and/or service mark at the state level, you must file an application with the trademark office of the specific state in which protection is sought.
To learn about your state registration requirements, visit the link below for contact information for your location.
Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation
The Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation (PIDC) is Philadelphia's city-wide economic development corporation. Founded in 1958 as a non-profit, joint venture between the City of Philadelphia and the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, PIDC plans and implements real estate and financial transactions that attract investment, jobs and tax ratables to the City of Philadelphia. PIDC offers loan programs beginning at $75,000 for small businesses across all business sectors and throughout all neighborhoods of Philadelphia. Businesses must have been in operation for a minimum of three years in order to be eligible.
Philiadelphia Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Business Center
MBDA provides funding for a network of minority business centers located throughout the nation. The Centers provide minority entrepreneurs with one-on-one assistance in writing business plans, marketing, management and technical assistance and financial planning to assure adequate financing for business ventures.
The Centers are staffed by business specialists who have the knowledge and practical experience needed to run successful and profitable businesses. Business referral services are provided free of charge. However, the network generally charges nominal fees for specific management and technical assistance services.
MBDA strives to create a new generation of minority-owned businesses generating $100 million in annual revenues. The strategic focus is to maximize job creation and global competitiveness for minority-owned businesses and to foster innovation and entrepreneurship with minority-owned businesses in high-growth industries.
Small Business Administration (SBA) Philadelphia District Office
Small Business Administration (SBA) Pittsburgh District Office
Southeast Pennsylvania Procurement Technical Assistance Center (SE PA PTAC)
The Southeast Pennsylvania Procurement Technical Assistance Center (SE PA PTAC), administered by the Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers within the University of Pennsylvania, helps businesses of all sizes market to the government – federal, state and local.
The SE PA PTACs are part of a national program authorized by Congress in 1985 to expand the number of businesses capable of participating in the government marketplace. Through cooperative agreements with DoD, PTACs are administered nationally by a variety of entities, including state governments, universities, community colleges, local economic development corporations, Native American organizations and other local institutions. PTACS are staffed with counselors experienced in government contracting, and all participate in ongoing professional training required to keep pace with continually evolving acquisition procedures and policies.
Businesses that want to get into government contracting and needing assistance, can do no better than to talk to a PTAC – they are the go-to-people for marketing your products or services to the government. PTAC counselors can teach you how to explore the government arena for possible market opportunities.
Contact Information
For additional information about how we can help your company pursue government marketing, please contact the Procurement Technical Assistance Centers at the following locations:
Kutztown University
877-472-7232
Serving Berks, Chester, Lancaster, and York Counties
www.kutztownsbdc.org
Lehigh University
(610) 758-4089
Bethlehem, PA
Serving Lehigh, Northampton, Upper Bucks and Upper Montgomery Counties
www.lehigh.edu/sbdc
Temple University
(215) 204-3532
Philadelphia, PA
Serving Philadelphia, Lower Bucks and Lower Montgomery Counties
www.temple.edu/sbdc
Widener University
(610) 619-8492
Chester, PA
Serving Delaware County
www.widenersbdc.org
Please contact sepaptac@pasbdc.org for more information on the procurement technical assistance program.
Southern Alleghenies Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC)
The Southern Alleghenies PTAC helps regional businesses create and retain jobs by increasing sales of goods and services to government agencies. The PTAC provides businesses with the individual guidance and resources necessary to develop strategies for securing a share of lucrative local, state and federal government markets.
The PTAC accomplishes its mission by assisting businesses with:
Completing necessary vendor registrations
Securing applicable socio-economic certifications (Disabled Veteran, Disadvantaged Business, 8(a)/Minority, HUBzone and Women Owned Small Business)
Researching procurement trends and specific contract histories.
Identifying viable bid opportunities
Providing applicable specifications and drawings
Preparing legitimate proposals & bid responses
Complying with contract requirements post award
The PTAC also facilitates contracting related training and networking opportunities.
Since 1996, The PTAC at Southern Alleghenies has partnered with two of the State's other PTACs in order to share costs while providing enhanced outreach services. Southern Alleghenies operates as the lead agency in this partnership which includes the sub-recipients, North Central Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission (NCPRPDC) and Northern Tier Regional Planning and Development Commission (NTRPDC). The combined effort encompasses a service area of fifteen contiguous counties.
Contact: Dan Shade
PTAC Program Director
shade@sapdc.org
814-949-6528
Start a Business in Pennsylvania
Visit this state website to find resources and tools to help you start and operate a business in Pennsylvania, such as registering your business name or applying for licenses and permits.