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MATC’s BPAC Tops $1 Billion Mark for Helping Wisconsin
Businesses Win Government Contracts Since 1988
Wisconsin Moves Up to 48th Spot for Bringing Home Federal Dollars
Madison Area Technical College (MATC) announced today that, with the close of 2004, its Business Procurement Assistance Center (BPAC) has helped Wisconsin businesses win a total of $1.2 billion in government contracts since the center’s inception in 1988. Year-end results also show that BPAC assisted Wisconsin businesses in capturing $205.5 million in contract awards in 2004, which exceeded last year’s record of $193 million. An estimated 6,575 jobs were created or retained in Wisconsin this year based on BPAC’s efforts targeted to businesses statewide.
Wisconsin now ranks 48th, moving up from 49th, among all states in the U.S. for winning federal dollars. Wisconsin has surpassed Minnesota, which ranked 48th last year but now has moved to the 49th spot.
“The ranking change is an important indicator of efforts to improve Wisconsin’s share of federal dollars,” states Denise Kornetzke, BPAC’s program manager. “Our state has been trailing in capturing government business for too many years. Capturing a greater share of federal procurement spending is a major focus of Gov. Doyle's Grow Wisconsin initiative.
“This year, due in a large part to increased grant funding, our center has been able to enhance efforts to help make Wisconsin businesses more aware of and competitive in the huge government market." An annual grant from the U.S. Department of Defense funds MATC’s operation of BPAC. MATC was awarded a grant for BPAC’s 2004 operation of $348,054, a 65% increase over the prior year, to provide Wisconsin businesses free technical and marketing services to help them compete for government contracts.”
“Our increased grant award demonstrates the federal government not only wants BPAC to continue, but to expand services, which we have done,” states Kornetzke. Enhanced services include an online training course and sponsoring 56 procurement-training events throughout the state, including FedShare 2004, a major procurement match-up fair. BPAC provided 3,502 individual counseling
sessions to businesses, with the majority assisting small businesses owned by minorities, women and veterans, or businesses located in HUBZones (Historically Underutilized Businesses). All BPAC services are provided free of charge. Information about BPAC services and training events is available by calling (608) 243-4490 or visiting http://matcmadison.edu/bpac.
“Wisconsin businesses certainly have the ability to compete in the government market,” says Kornetzke. “The federal government is the largest buyer of goods and services in the world, with an average spending rate of $42 million per hour. Government buyers are seeking three things – high-quality products and services, on-time delivery and competitive prices. Our Wisconsin businesses can meet those demands.
“But,” she adds, “businesses need to know how to compete in this vast market. And that’s what BPAC is all about, empowering Wisconsin businesses to compete and win. Competing in the government market is like learning how to ride a bike. At first, you need someone to guide you and provide advice but soon, you’re off and running.”
According to a recent Department of Defense report, MATC received the highest quality rating possible for its center. The report states, “The center is well managed and an effective asset in the defense procurement system…Their performance is excellent.”
"We are proud of BPAC’s accomplishments,” states Rose Ann Findlen, MATC’s acting president. “Economic development is a vital part of our college’s mission. Selling to the federal government is an increasingly important way to bring new business to the state and fuel Wisconsin’s economic recovery.”
MATC is one of the largest of the Wisconsin Technical College System’s 16 colleges. An important part of MATC’s mission is to support economic development in Wisconsin. The college provides a comprehensive curriculum of technical, liberal arts and science, adult basic education and life enrichment studies and activities, and customized employee training. MATC serves approximately 50,000 individuals each year.
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Last
Modified:
January 3, 2005
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