Message from Special Secretary Rhee
Catalyst for Change
Are you an innovative small company looking for more business opportunities? If so, you should take the time to understand the programs where the U.S. government acts as a catalyst for change - the spark that lights the fire!
1. DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) - The technological developments necessary to win wars have provided lessons to those seeking to improve innovation policy as a whole. Created in 1958 as a direct result of the launching of 1957 launch of Sputnik by the Soviets, DARPA is known for its “blue-sky thinking” – ideas that went beyond the horizon in that they may not produce results for 10 or 20 years. This opened numerous windows for scientists and engineers to propose innovative ideas and receive funding and assistance.
2. SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) Program - SBIR was created to support scientific excellence and technological innovation. It is specifically intended to help small businesses conduct research and development via grants for projects that have the potential for commercialization. SBIR has provided funding for some of the best early stage innovation ideas which were highly promising, but were too risky for private investors such as Intel and Compaq, when they were start-ups.
3. Orphan Products Development - The Orphan Drug Act of 1983 was created specifically for the biotech industry, making it possible for small firms to carve a tiny portion of the pharmaceutical market. The act includes certain tax incentives, clinical subsidies, fast-track approvals, and marketing rights for products developed for treating rare conditions. A rare disease is defined as any disease that affects less than 200,000 people, which if left alone, given its small market, any potential drugs would remain ‘orphans’ without financial incentives. Orphan drugs have played an important role for major biopharmaceutical firms such as Genzyme, Biogen, Amgen, and Genentech.
Who has received funding from these programs? The Internet, global positioning systems, touchscreen technology, and the cheeky voice we all know as SIRI just to name a few. I encourage you to make the time to learn more about them and determine if one of these programs could help your small business.
Sincerely,
Jimmy Rhee
Special Secretary
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ATTENTION eMaryland Marketplace Vendors
Big things are happening as a result of Maryland's statewide procurement modernization efforts. Late this summer, eMaryland Marketplace, the state's online bid board system, will transform into eMaryland Marketplace Advantage (eMMA). As the name suggests, the system will offer new features and enhancements to improve the customer experience.
As we prepare for this big change, we're asking all vendors who are currently registered in eMaryland Marketplace to complete a brief supplier information questionnaire. The information provided will serve as your preliminary registration in eMMA. When we're ready to go online later this summer, you'll be provided with a temporary user name and password so you can log into the new system and complete the user profile. Existing vendors that do not complete the survey prior to the launch date will have to register as a new vendor, so please take the time to complete the questionnaire at your earliest convenience.
eMMA Supplier Information Questionnaire
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DoIT Master Contract Window is Open
Maryland does most of its IT procurements and contracts through a vehicle known as a "master contract." A master contract is the equivalent of an Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract. Goods and services are purchased by issuing competitive task orders for which only master contractors may bid. Participation by firms that have not been named as a master contractor is limited to subcontracting only. Firms interested in becoming a master contractor must complete a solicitation package for evaluation. Visit the Department of Information Technology to learn more.
IT Master Contractor Solicitation Package
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Ready, Set, GROW!
Our recent Ready, Set, GROW! Procurement Connections Workshop was held in Anne Arundel County at the Maryland Department of Transportation's Headquarters in Hanover. We took the opportunity to celebrate three small business owners who are making a big impact on the local community. They each received a Governor's Citation in recognition of their hard work, dedication, and pursuit of excellence as a small business owner. Congratulations to:
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Small Business Events
Most business development takes place outside the office. We maintain a robust calendar of events on our website. It's updated regularly, so be sure to check back often. Here are just a few upcoming events:
05/08/2019 - Reading and Understanding Basic Financial Statements
05/09/2019 - 2019 Super Matchmakers Conference
05/13/2019 - Business Succession Planning
05/14/2019 - Doing Business with Horseshoe Casino Baltimore
05/17/2019 - Pathway to Growth Procurement Conference
05/21/2019 - Doing Business with Maryland Live! Casino & Hotel
05/21/2019 - WSSC's Technical Assistance Workshop
05/28/2019 - Doing Business with MGM National Harbor
05/28/2019 - Federal Contracting 101
05/28/2019 - Negotiation Strategies & Closing Techniques
Check out our full range of small business events
online at goMDsmallbiz.maryland.gov.
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