Are there opportunities for manufacturing businesses?

Yes, there are opportunities for manufacturers in the federal marketplace both directly with government agencies and with prime contractors.

The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Internet Bid Board System (DIBBS) is a web-based application that provides access to the majority of DLA’s solicitations that support America’s combat logistics. DLA procures, manages, stores, and distributes almost every consumable item the military needs to operate. Commodities include everything from maritime and land weapons systems support to medical supplies.

Opportunities with the Navy for manufacturers are posted to the Navy Electronic Commerce Online (NECO).

Manufacturers who are not familiar with federal requirements may want to consider starting out as a subcontractor to a federal prime contractor. As a subcontractor, you will still be responsible for the federal requirements, but you would be working with someone that is experienced in the process.

The U.S. Department of Commerce, through the National Institute of Standards and Technology, helps support the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) whose mission it is to assist small and medium-sized manufacturers increase in competitiveness.

The Wisconsin Procurement Institute (WPI) offers free bid matching services. Our bid match service searches over 3,000 federal, state, local and international procurement databases and sends potential opportunities to your inbox on a daily basis. Working with you one-on-one, Wisconsin Procurement Institute staff will create a profile specific to goods and/or services your business provides. If you are interested in setting up your bid match profile, please contact the Wisconsin Procurement Institute to get started, at info@wispro.org or at 414-270-3600.