Last week, the 15th Annual Smart Proc: Procurement Conference and Expo was held in Frederick. The conference offered local business owners a forum to meet and network with government agencies, prime contractors, and federal, state and local representatives. An educational component was prominent as well, as the two-day program featured over twenty breakout sessions providing valuable insights to businesses focused on anticipating, navigating, and executing contracting opportunities.
Frederick's unique access to key military decision-makers, facilities, resources, and programs due to it's proximity to Fort Detrick was highlighted by many of the exhibits and panel discussions.
Fort Detrick, located within the City of Frederick's limits, is home to the United States Army Medical Research and Material Command Headquarters. USAMRMC is the Army's medical material developer, with responsibility for medical research, development, acquisition and medical logistics management. The base also hosts the National Cancer Institute-Frederick, and is home to the National Interagency Confederation for Biological Research, and the National Interagency Biodefense Campus.
In 2008, a study conducted by Maryland's Department of Business and Economic Development found Fort Detrick to create or support more than $1.7 billion in economic activity in Maryland. The MD Department of Commerce is currently leading a follow-up study, updating these figures for 2018.
Throughout SmartProc 2017, subject matter experts encouraged Frederick businesses and individuals interested in pursuing new economic opportunities to..
explore the following resources:
1. FedBizOpps : Business opportunities solicited through Broad Agency Announcements, Requests for Proposals, and Requests for Quotes are posted to FedBizOpps.
2. Grants.gov : Federal awards of financial assistance to carry out a public purpose can be found at Grant.gov.
3. Military Health System Vendor Days: Hosted on base in Frederick, MHS Vendor Day is a free opportunity for vendors to showcase products to military medical logisticians and subject matter experts from the Defense Health Agency and six medical material agencies under the DOD. The event is held once a month, between March and November. Interested participants must register and receive approval online.
4. USAMRMC New Products and Ideas Portal: The NPI offers a web-based mechanism to gauge MRMC interest in medical-related products. Submissions of new ideas or products are reviewed by USAMRMC experts, who evaluate their applicability and provide feedback. Feedback may include referral to an existing Program or Broad Agency Announcement or an invitation to exhibit at an upcoming Vendor Day in Frederick.
5. Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer : As "America's Seed Fund," these programs are specifically designed to engage small businesses in the federal innovation research and development arena.
6. Fort Detrick Alliance: The Fort Detrick Alliance is a Frederick-based non-profit that helps build relationships and communication between Federal agencies at Fort Detrick and the community.
7. USAJobs: For those individuals looking for direct employment on the base, all civilian opportunities are announced on USAJobs.gov.