THINKING BEYOND THE BELTWAY -
[Cached Version]
Published on: 7/1/2000
Last Visited: 12/24/2006
Pat Gallagher, director of business development for Compaq Federal, agreed that federal buyers may prefer to purchase from local resellers."All agencies have some degree of latitude," he said.
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Regardless of their location or approach to securing GSA schedule sales, Gallagher cautioned resellers against being intimidated by the government's reputation as a demanding client.
"The federal customer is just like any other customer out there in the world.Yes, they have slightly more rules, but if you sell them quality products and services they will come back and buy from you again," he said."They're very reasonable people, and they have a mission to accomplish, and automation is one of the things they need."
In fact, he said government buyers usually are quite interested in expanding their pool of suppliers, and they want to hear about innovative solutions to their IT requirements.Contracting officers also may be particularly interested in talking with small or disadvantaged businesses, given the federal government's goals for buying from these organizations.
At least 23 percent of federal prime contracts should be awarded to small businesses under procurement goals established by the Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP).Within that amount, no less than 5 percent should go to small disadvantaged businesses and at least another 5 percent should go to women-owned businesses according to OFPP.
"[Agencies] have to do business with these firms, and they do," Gallagher said.