Federal State and local government organizations are a viable market for Montana businesses. Federal agencies alone have spent over $250,000,000 purchasing goods and services in Montana on an average the last 5 years. The Montana Procurement Technical Assistance Center helps businesses understand how to tap into this profitable market. The counselors at the Montana PTAC are here to help you learn the ins-and-outs of government contracting while helping you avoid the pitfalls that plague many government contract holders.

The Montana PTAC is a statewide program, so no matter where in Montana your business is located, you can get personal government marketing assistance at no cost. Maureen Jewell, located in the Billings office of Big Sky EDA, is the statewide director.

MTPTAC counseling is one-on-one and the MTPTAC offers information to assist in finding out what and how the government does business, some of the services of the MTPTAC are:

• Help with required registrations processing, etc.
• Assistance in developing Bid/Proposal work
• Understanding the solicitations and bids & associated documents
• Learn "the right way" to interact with government buyers

Getting Started Means Understanding The Basics.
We're Here To Help.

• What it takes to do business with the government?
• How to get started, what is required
• How to find your market in the government
• Understanding the market

Next Step - Understanding The Bidding Process

• What has the government purchased?
• Can you be competitive
• Preparing bids/proposals
• Pre- Post Award requirements

Web & E-Commerce Issues

• Most government business is done online, learn where and how?
• How to find and understand opportunities
• How to get paid and submit invoices
• Sub-Contracting

THE MTPTAC PRESENTS WORKSHOPS AND SEMINARS ACROSS THE STATE ON CONTRACTING PROCESSES AND PROCEEDURES, IN ADDITION TO SPECIAL TOPICS RELATED TO FEDERAL AND STATE PROCUREMENT.

REQUIRED PAPERWORK - YOU ARE DEALING WITH THE GOVERNMENT

Mandatory Registrations for Government Contracting

DUNS Number - What is the D-U-N-S Number?

The D&B D-U-N-S Number is a unique nine-digit identification sequence, which provides unique identifiers of single business entities, while linking corporate family structures together. The U.S. government requires their suppliers and contractors to have a D-U-N-S Number. You must have a DUNS number to register with CCR. To obtain a DUNS go to: http://www.dnb.com/US/duns_update/

(CCR) Central Contractors Registration

Registering in the Central Contractors database is step one in becoming a government contractor. The federal government utilizes the information found in the CCR database to find potential vendors and to process contract payments electronically. Being registered in CCR is now mandatory if you want to work for the federal government. To learn more, utilize the following link: CCR Registration

(ORCA) On-line Representations and Certifications

ORCA is an e-Government initiative that has been developed to replace the paper based Representations and Certifications (Reps and Certs) process. To find out more, utilize the following link: ORCA - Login

(MPIN) Marketing Partner Identification Number

The Marketing Partner ID Number (MPIN), the Government Business Point of Contact (POC), and the Alternate Government Business POC are now mandatory for all CCR registrations.

Marketing Partner ID (MPIN) is a personal code that allows you to access other Government applications such as the Past Performance Information Retrieval System (PPIRS), FedBizOpps, FedTeDS, Orca, and grants.gov. The MPIN acts as your password in these other systems, and you should guard it as such. The MPIN must have 9 digits containing at least one alpha character (can be entered in upper or lower case) and one number (no spaces or special characters permitted). To learn more, utilize the following link: Central Contractors Registration - Handbook