INVITES YOU TO THE
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The main objective of the conference is to foster business partnerships between the Federal Government, its prime contractors, and small businesses. Participating firms will have the benefit of marketing their products/services to procurement representatives and small business specialists from government agencies.
The conference also includes educational conference sessions, the latest business forecasts, expert insight on how to market to federal agencies and prime vendors, and ample networking opportunities.
Unlike other events, the Puerto Rico Federal Business Opportunities Conference brings federal agencies and prime vendors directly to the table alongside attendees to generate more candid dialogue and fewer generic presentations. In addition to agency procurement opportunities and overviews, the conference focuses on addressing specific issues facing the industry.
WHY SHOULD YOU ATTEND?
This conference will serve as a great opportunity to meet local businesses and to learn about the advantages that federal contracting firms in Puerto Rico offer as key partners to fulfill your agency’s contracting needs. Here is a quick look at some of the reasons why you should consider Puerto Rico businesses to meet your federal contracting needs:
SECTION 861
Section 861 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2019 stays that of an agency awards a prime contract to Puerto Rico business, the value of the contract shall be doubled for purposes of determining compliance with the goals for procurement contracts
LOWER COSTS MEANS MORE SAVINGS
Lowest labor costs of any region under U.S. jurisdiction makes almost any contracting opportunity more cost efficient in Puerto Rico.
WORLD CLASS WORKFORCE
Robust professional and specialized resources in a variety of fields including engineering, IT, science, manufacturing, financial services, among others, which guarantee high quality results. Over 20,000 degrees have been awarded in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) in the past four years, with a strong pipeline of certified IT talent that includes over 800 degrees awarded annually in computer and information sciences alone.
PROTECTION OF FEDERAL LAWS & REQUIREMENTS COMPLIANCE
U.S. federal law, and all the framework and protections, including intellectual property and patent protection apply fully in Puerto Rico. Additionally, businesses in Puerto Rico are ITAR, Berry Amendment & Buy American Act compliant so sensitive projects can be carried out securely.
DIVERSITY & INCLUSION IN CONTRACTING
By contracting with businesses in Puerto Rico you can accomplish your agency’s diversity and inclusion goals with experienced and qualified 8(a), HUBZone, Woman and Veteran owned small businesses that are lined up and ready to compete for your contracting opportunities. Additionally, 82% of Puerto Rico is designated as a HUBZone which can facilitate the contracting process significantly.
PROXIMITY &
CONNECTIVITY
Puerto Rico is only a three and a half hour flight away from Washington, D.C., and has direct flights from most major metropolitan areas in the states. High-speed broadband internet connection in most of the island, undersea fiber optic cable services, and a robust satellite system allow for continuous and immediate communication with stateside project and contract managers.
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT REGISTRATION
(must have .gov or .mil email)
Tuesday, December 4, 2018 | Government to Government Round Table Meeting
3:00 pm*
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Welcome: Congresswoman Jenniffer González
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Presentation: Manuel Laboy, Secretary, Economic Development and Commerce
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Roundtable discussion: Federal contracting as an economic development tool - Challenges and Opportunities
5:00 pm*
Networking reception
* For government representatives only
Wednesday, December 5, 2018 | Conference & Expo
7:30 am
Registration
8:30 am
Opening Remarks
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Secretary, PR Department of Economic Development & Commerce: Hon. Manuel Laboy Rivera
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Soraya Correa, Chief Procurement Officer – Department of Homeland Security
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Christopher B. Hall, Deputy Director, Office of Small Business Programs, Defense Logistics Agency
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Mr. Charles Manger, Associate Administrator, Office of Small Business Utilization, US General Services Administration
9:00 am
Decoding the World’s Largest Customer: opportunities and best practices across government agencies
Moderator: Christopher B. Hall, Deputy Director, Office of Small Business Programs, Defense Logistics Agency
Panelists:
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Emily Harman, Director, Office of Small Business Programs US NAVY
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Soraya Correa, Chief Procurement Officer – Department of Homeland Security
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Mr. Kenneth Dodds, Director – Government Contracting and Business Development - Office of Policy Planning and Liaison
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Gladys M. Bailey, PhD, Director OSDBU, Department of Labor
Networking Coffee Break sponsored by Ferraiuoli
10:15 am
10:30 am
Thinking Big: Teaming
for Success
Moderator: Wallace Sermons, HHS
Panelists:
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Cruz Andino, Honeywell
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A.R. (Rey) Almodóvar, P.E. Intuitive Research and Technology Corporation
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Noah Robins, Global Supply Chain Specialist, Small Business Office, RTI International
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Teanna Jones, Small Business Liaison Officer, Deloitte Government & Public Services
Continuous education program for federal contracting personnel
9:00 am-11:30 am
12:00 pm
Matchmaking Lunch
1:30 pm
Concurrent Sessions
Business Opportunities for the Information Technology Sector
Moderator: Christian Gonzalez, Wovenware
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Soraya Correa, Chief Procurement Officer, Department of Homeland Security
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Arleas Upton Kea, Deputy to the Chairman, Chief Operating Officer, and Chief Procurement Officer, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
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Michael Conroy, Branch Chief, IT Services, Strategic Sourcing Acquisition Division Acquisition and Grants – Department of Commerce - NOAA
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Carlen Capenos, Director, Office of Small Business Programs – Defense Information Systems Agency
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Frank Mayer, US General Services Administration
Business Opportunities for the Construction and Engineering Industry
Moderator: Patrick J Balcazar, PE. Principal San Diego Project Management
Federal Representatives:
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Ronnell Booker, District Contracting Chief, Jacksonville District, Directorate of Contracting, US Corps of Engineers
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Arlan Finfrock, Chief, Contracting and Acquisition, US Department of Transportation
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Maj. Carlos Rivera, Contracting and Acquisition, USPFO-Puerto Rico
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Rubin Padilla, Supervisory Contract Specialist, Public Buildings Service, US General Services Administration
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Israel Álvarez De Jesús, President, Multi Air Services Engineering
Standing out from your competition: Ask the experts
Moderator: Michelle Warren, Acting Director OSDBU, U.S. Department of Agriculture
Panelists:
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Arthur Collins, Deputy Director, Government Contracting & Business Development, Office of HUBZone Program, U.S. SBA
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Jean Lin Pao, Director OSDBU, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
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Geena Wooten, Small Business Deputy Director, Missile Defense Agency Redstone Arsenal
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Jezabel Rodríguez, US SBA PCR
Networking Coffee Break sponsored by Ferraiuoli
3:00 pm
3:20 pm
Telling Your Business Story: a business strategy that works
Case Study: Luis Báez-Black, CPA- CEO, EliteBco
Reaction panel:
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Mauricio Vera, Director, OSDBU, US Agency for International Development
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Donna M. Ragucci, Executive Director, OSDBU, U.S. Department of the Treasury
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Trisha Bursey, Supervisory Contract Specialist, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
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Denise Benjamin-Sirmons, Director OSDBU – U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
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Katherine González-Valentín, Capital Member and Chair of the Labor and Employment Practice, Ferraiouli LLC
Closing Remarks: Governor Ricardo Rosselló Nevares
4:50 pm
Networking reception:
Enjoy an informal opportunity to network with speakers, buyers and colleagues
5:10 pm
Thursday, December 6, 2018 | Government to Government Meeting
8:00 am - 11:00 am*
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Strategy session to determine the next steps to help PR small businesses increase their federal sales
* For government representatives only
TIPS TO HELP MAKE THE MOST OF THIS CONFERENCE
Do your homework! Review the Procurement Opportunities page to identify your target agencies and learn as much as you can about what the agencies purchase and how.
Be sure your registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) is current.
Have a clear, concise capability statement that includes business type (socio-economic status), NAIC codes, and a description of your products and services. This should either be on a 1-page document, available on a url that you distribute or through a QR code.
Send at least 2 representatives from your company. One of you can attend the sessions, the other can “work” the exhibit floor and/or participate in the matchmaking sessions
Bring lots of business cards!
Check out the agenda on-line. It will be updated with speakers and abstracts as they become available.
Stay up to date with Social Networking:
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The Federal Contracting Center, a Procurement Technical Assistance Center is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the Defense Logistics Agency.
For more information about the Puerto Rico Federal Business Opportunities Conference please contact:
For more information about registration, sponsorship opportunities or exhibitors please contact:
Cube Group Events | hello@cubegroupevents.com | +1.787.568.7646