The University of Georgia Small Business Development Center at Valdosta State University will present Doing Business with GDOT for Routine Maintenance Service Contracts-Procurement and Intro to Government Contracting and Small Business Certifications-Procurement on Tuesday, May 14.

Doing Business with GDOT for Routine Maintenance Service Contracts-Procurement will meet from 10 a.m. to noon in the University Center Magnolia Room. Registration is free of charge. Facilitated by Georgia Department of Transportation supportive services representatives, this workshop will provide information on how to qualify to become a routine maintenance contractor with GDOT. Attendees will learn about projects funded by Georgia House Bill 170; the process to become eligible to apply for maintenance projects with GDOT; how to register with Team Georgia Marketplace; and about the supportive services available to disadvantaged business enterprises, small businesses, and veterans on state-funded projects. They will also have an opportunity to talk to a GDOT district equal employment opportunity review officer and engineer.

Intro to Government Contracting and Small Business Certifications-Procurement will meet from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the University Center Magnolia Room. Registration is $39. This workshop will help small business owners diversify their customer base by gaining a strategic foothold in public sector procurement. Last year, for example, the federal government awarded more than $100 billion in government contracts to small businesses. Attendees will learn how to navigate the challenges of government contracting and how specialty certifications can help.

Headquartered in Athens, the Small Business Development Center is a partnership between the University of Georgia, Valdosta State University, the University of West Georgia, Georgia State University, Georgia Southern University, Clayton State University, and Kennesaw State University. It is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the United States Small Business Administration, boasts 17 offices across the state, and strives to enhance the economic well-being of Georgians by providing a wide range of educational services for small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs, including no-cost, confidential consulting services.

The UGA Small Business Development Center at VSU serves the citizens of Atkinson, Berrien, Brooks, Clinch, Coffee, Cook, Echols, Lanier, Lowndes, and Thomas counties and is considered an essential resource for small businesses in South Georgia.

Doing Business with GDOT for Routine Maintenance Service Contracts-Procurement and Intro to Government Contracting and Small Business Certifications-Procurement are presented in collaboration with the University of Georgia Small Business Development Center’s Office of Minority Business Development. This special initiative is designed to meet the unique needs of minority entrepreneurs and small business owners by identifying procurement opportunities, locating sources of capital, and supporting outreach efforts of minority business people across the state.

Please contact Cindy Corgan, program coordinator with the University of Georgia Small Business Development Center at VSU, at [email protected] or (229) 245-3738 to reserve a seat or learn more. Class size is limited. Registration is required.