Lewisburg Business Secures $18K Contract with SEDA-COG Partnership

LEWISBURG – In a time when businesses are struggling to survive because of the COVID-19 pandemic, CSSI Technologies Inc. is expanding their business to selling to the government in partnership with SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG).

The Lewisburg-based mobile computing hardware and software company recently secured a 3-year contract of $18,472 to sell software to the Philadelphia-based office of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.

The software, “Bartender,” is used for designing, printing, and managing barcodes, RFID tags and documents. It is the best-in-class software that allows companies to design and manage their barcode labels.

SEDA-COG worked with CSSI so they can sell to the state and federal governments, involving multiple registration processes, certifications, trainings, and bid notifications. This included obtaining a PA COSTARS and PA Invitation to Qualify contract, which will position CSSI to sell to local and state government agencies.

CSSI President Joe Tosolt said SEDA-COG made the process simple for them and described it as a big “win” in these tumultuous times.

“SEDA-COG spent a lot of time helping us through this process,” Tosolt said. “Particularly in this era right now, when COVID is causing havoc on businesses, having another source of sales is essential.”

Tosolt said Robert Brown, director of SEDA-COG’s Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC), was quick to respond to their needs and expertly guided them through the process.

“Trying to get into government contracting from the outside is not intuitive and Rob provided a lot of guidance. He has been extremely responsive to us. It would have been very difficult to navigate it otherwise. We’re thankful for support and help and responsiveness from SEDA-COG especially in this time,” Tosolt said.

Brown said SEDA-COG, as a community and economic development agency, empowers businesses to prosper – and that many businesses aren’t aware that selling to the government is the nation’s largest marketplace.

“Businesses have a great opportunity to expand and diversify their sales by partnering with us to sell to the government. Each year, the federal government alone purchases over $400 billion in products and services from businesses. We can help your business tap into that opportunity,” Brown said.

Serving the Mid-Atlantic region with a staff of 12, CSSI powers business productivity with the smart integration of mobile computing, barcoding/RFID, and customized business software. They specialize in working closely with each customer to create high-impact solutions in demanding environments such as warehousing, distribution, manufacturing, transportation, and logistics.

“CSSI powers productivity by applying technology tools to make businesses more efficient and productive. We do everything from process consulting to custom programming to integration so that our customers get the maximum bang out of their investment,” Tosolt said.

SEDA-COG’s PTAC helps companies explore and compete in the local, state, and federal government marketplace. For more information about the SEDA-COG PTAC, visit www.seda-cog.org/ptac/ or contact Brown at rbrown@seda-cog.org.

The PTAC is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the Defense Logistics Agency and by a grant through the Partnerships for Regional Economic Performance (PREP), from the PA Department of Community and Economic Development.

Webcast: New cybersecurity requirement for Department of Defense contracts

Starting this fall, contractors will be required to have a cybersecurity certification to obtain U.S. Department of Defense contracts.

A free webcast will show interested businesses how to obtain the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification. It will be held from 2 to 3 p.m. May 28 through Zoom.

There is a limit of 100 registrants. To register, visit https://bit.ly/2xOlB96.

Scott Dawson, president of Core Business Solutions, will present the training. It is cosponsored by SEDA-Council of Governments’ (SEDA-COG) Procurement Technical Assistance Center.

For more information, contact Robert Brown at rbrown@seda-cog.org or 570-522-7224.

The webcast is sponsored by the Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTACs) of SEDA-Council of Governments, Southern Alleghenies Planning and Development Commission, Northwest, Southeast PA, Northern Tier, Northeastern PA, JARI, and North Central; and Indiana University of Pennsylvania, California University of Pennsylvania’s Government Agency Coordination Office, Slippery Rock University, the Innovative Manufacturers’ Center, and PA Partnerships for Regional Economic Performance.

SEDA-COG’s Procurement Technical Assistance Center helps companies explore and compete in the local, state, and federal government marketplace. For more information about the SEDA-COG Procurement Technical Assistance Center, visit www.seda-cog.org/ptac/.

The Procurement Technical Assistance program is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the Defense Logistics Agency.

Workshop in Chambersburg to help businesses tap government marketplace

Businesses will have the opportunity to gain basic principles they need to do business with local, state, and federal governments in a free workshop conducted by SEDA-Council of Governments’ Procurement Technical Assistance Center staff.

The Selling to the Government: The First Steps workshop will be held from 10 a.m. to noon February 20 at the Franklin County Area Development Corporation, 1900 Wayne Road, Chambersburg. Kelly Rhodes, Small Business Specialist from Letterkenny Army Depot will be the featured guest.

Topics include:

  • • How the government buys goods and services
  • • Certifications and registrations necessary to sell to local, state and federal governments
  • • How government agencies advertise their opportunities
  • • Locating subcontracting opportunities with government “prime” contractors
  • • Understanding the sales process
  • • How Letterkenny Army Depot procures products and services

Registration is required and can be completed online at https://bit.ly/30YYy6j. For more information, contact SEDA-COG’s Robert Brown at 570-522-7224 or rbrown@seda-cog.org.

Cosponsors are Franklin County Area Development Corporation and the Small Business Development Center at Shippensburg University.

SEDA-COG’s Procurement Technical Assistance Center helps companies explore and compete in the local, state, and federal government marketplace. For more information about the SEDA-COG Procurement Technical Assistance Center, visit https://seda-cog.org/departments/ptac/

Technical proposal seminar for small business owners

Small business owners can learn how to write technical proposals in order to win federal contracts at a seminar cosponsored by SEDA-Council of Governments’ (SEDA-COG) Procurement Technical Assistance Center.

It will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 20 at the Ramada Hotel & Conference Center, 1450 S. Atherton St., State College.

Understanding a potential customer’s needs and generating a compliant proposal are critical to winning federal contracts. Firms must be familiar with the agency’s procurement process, clearly identify what the buyer has requested, and determine the best method to position and present their firm in the proposal.

This session is designed to equip participants with the knowledge of how to develop a compliant and effective technical proposal. The session includes but is not limited to: assessing solicitation documents; preparing outlines to ensure compliance with the solicitation; and identifying effective methods to present your company’s response.

Topics presented by Quality, Compliance, & Management Inc. include:

  • Understanding the procurement process
  • Review and analysis of solicitation/request for proposal (RFP)
  • Presenting well – what reviewers look for
  • Tailoring the components of the technical proposal to the buyer’s need
  • Presenting past performance
  • Use of templates

Space is limited to 30 attendees. To register for this free seminar, visit https://bit.ly/2M3aQ7u.

Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. To do so, contact Tina Young at 301-604-9898 or tyoung@qcmconsulting.com.

For more information, contact SEDA-COG’s Jennifer Heebner at 570-522-7256 or email jheebner@seda-cog.org.

This project is funded by a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The SEDA-COG Procurement Technical Assistance Center is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the Defense Logistics Agency.

SEDA-COG’s Procurement Technical Assistance Center helps companies explore and compete in the local, state, and federal government marketplace. For more information visit SEDA-COG Procurement Technical Assistance Center.