Thomas Rogers | PCR, SBA Area III (Alabama)

Small Business Success Tips Podcast (Episode 5)

Summary: Tom Rogers, Procurement Center Representative for Small Business Administration Area III, stresses that small businesses get more government contracts by working together, developing reliable performance records and providing needed solutions.

Guest Bio:  Thomas Rogers helps small businesses understand government roles and regulations, and how to fit into the system. He supports the US Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile District – Mobile, AL, Air Force SOCONS (Special Operations Command) Hurlburt Field, FL, NSWC / NAVSEA (Navy Surface Warfare Center) Panama City, FL, 325th Contracting Squadron, Tyndall AFB, FL, 42nd Contracting Squadron – Maxwell AFB, AL, Program Executive Office Enterprise Information Systems (PEO-BES) – MAFB-Gunter Annex, AL.  Prior to joining the SBA, Tom worked as a Procurement Analyst with the Army Corps of Engineers and as a Contracting Specialist with the Army Contracting Command. 

In this episode, Tom Rogers discusses:

• How the key to success is delivering exactly what is promised within the promised timeframe, without excuses.
• How responding to requests for information on FBO (Federal Business Opportunities) get small businesses get on the radar of contracting officers
• How competitors with similar services can influence the chance of set-aside contracts simply by having enough businesses respond to RFIs
• The importance of creating solutions, rather than problems
• How agency forecasts only deviate modestly year over year, so recent history indicates future activity
• How businesses can create personalized forecasts based FPDS market research on recent five-year purchase patterns, contract players and processes
• Why government contracts are consolidated and bundled to minimize the excessive administrative logistics and expenses
• How developing performance history as subcontractor demonstrates capabilities to government contractors
• How the government will soon be looking for local manufactures to replace what is currently being bought overseas 

Host:  Neil McDonnell is an experienced small business owner and seasoned entrepreneur. An Army veteran and the founder HUBZone Chamber of Commerce, Neil is a government contracting subject expert and HUBZone advocate for media and conferences.

His podcast series offers key information and tips to help small businesses gain insight into government agencies and large prime contractors and develop strategies to effectively present services.