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.
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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?
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This event is an opportunity for businesses looking to increase their sales in the federal market. Here are five reasons why you should be there.
NETWORKING
Relationships, relationships and relationships… people do business with people and federal contracting is no different. At this conference, you’ll have the opportunity to meet with other small businesses, large business prime contractors and representatives from multiple government agencies.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Procurement experts from federal agencies and seasoned prime vendors will hold panels discussions to examine the different aspects of working with the government. These educational opportunities are a great resource for both new and experienced contractors.
GOVERNMENT & LARGE PRIME CONTRACTORS
Meeting face to face with the government and commercial customers you want to market to is a challenge for many small businesses. This conference offers that unique and important opportunity to all attendees.
IT'S ALL ABOUT SMALL BUSINESS
The conference revolves around the needs of small and growing companies of fostering business relations and develop the know-how of government procurement. If you fall into one of these needs this conference is the perfect space for you.
SUBCONTRACTING OPPORTUNITIES
Subcontracting with seasoned federal prime vendors is a perfect opportunity for small businesses to get the experience and gain the knowledge required to become successful in the federal market. In this conference you will have the opportunity to hear directly from prime contractors what you need to know to get their business.
ATTENDEE & REGISTRATION INFO
** Walk- In Admissions $125
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
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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
3:00pm
3:20 pm
Telling Your Business Story: a business strategy that works
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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
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:
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
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