Procurement + Contracting Cohort Application
Please complete the following brief application to help us assess your knowledge, skill set and expectations for the procurement cohort. The information shared will aid us in ensuring we address your specific questions and knowledge gaps during these sessions.
General Information
The following questions ask basic information about you.
Full Name
*
First Name
Last Name
Email
*
example@example.com
Phone Number
*
Please enter a valid phone number.
Address
*
Street Address
Street Address Line 2
City
State / Province
Postal / Zip Code
County
*
Please Select
Buncombe
Alexander
Alleghany
Ashe
Avery
Burke
Caldwell
Catawba
Cherokee
Clay
Cleveland
Graham
Haywood
Henderson
Jackson
McDowell
Macon
Madison
Mitchell
Polk
Rutherford
Swain
Transylvania
Watauga
Wilkes
Yancey
Out of WNC Region
Primary Language
*
English
Spanish
Other
Are you from a low income household or community?
*
Yes
No
Unsure
What is your age range?
*
Please Select
Under 18
18-24
25-34
35-44
45-54
55-64
65 or older
How would you describe your race?
*
African American or Black
Asian/Pacific Islander
Latinx
Native American
White
Multi-Racial
Military Status
*
Non-Veteran / Non-Military
Veteran
Service-Disabled Veteran
National Guard / Reserve
Active Duty
Unknown/Not Stated
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Business Information
The following questions ask basic information about your business and your experience with procurement/contracting.
Business Name
*
Business Industry
*
Please Select
Beauty and Personal Care (e.g., hair and makeup stylist)
Construction and Engineering
Technology and IT Services
Healthcare and Wellness
Education and Training
Manufacturing
Retail and Consumer Goods
Professional Services (e.g., legal, consulting)
Hospitality and Tourism
Finance and Insurance
Environmental and Energy
Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation
Transportation and Logistics
Real Estate
Agriculture and Food Production
Business Website
Year Business Started
Business Stage - Please select the current stage of your business:
*
Ideation/Pre-revenue: I have not started selling yet
Startup: I have started selling my product(s)/service(s)
Early stage: My revenue is increasing and I am able to keep up with the demand
Scaling up: I want to maximize capacity by condensing outputs so our profit margins and operations increase.
Mature: Have achieved a comfortable level of success and am maintaining and fine-tuning
Exiting: I want to exit by selling or closing my business or converting ownership
What is your current business entity type:
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Sole Proprietorship
Partnership
Limited Liability Company (LLC)
Corporation
Social Enterprises
Cooperative
What were your Annual Gross Revenues last year?
*
Please Select
Less than $50,000
$50,000 to $99,999
$100,000 to $499,999
$500,000 to $999,999
$1,000,000 to $4,999,999
$5,000,000 to $9,999,999
$10,000,000 or more
In which sector(s) do you have experience?
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Federal
State
County
City Municipality
Private/Corporate
None
Other
Are you interested in conducting business with the Federal Government?
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Yes
No
Not sure
Other
Do you have any of the following diverse business certifications? (Select all that apply)
*
MBE - Minority Business Enterprise (NMSDC)
NC HUB - Historically Underutilized Business (State of NC)
NC SBE - Small Business Enterprise (State of NC)
DBE - Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (NC DOT)
WBE - Women Business Enterprise (WBENC)
SBA 8(a) Business Development Program Participant
WOSB - Woman Owned Small Business
EDWOSB - Economically Disadvantaged WOSB
SDVOSB - Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business
VOSB - Veteran Owned Small Business
Other
Are there any specific certifications you're considering or interested in pursuing?
Are you currently registered in SAM.gov? (A SAM registration is required for any entity to bid on and get paid for federal contracts or to receive federal funds. These include for profit businesses, nonprofits, government contractors, government subcontractors, state governments, and local municipalities.)
*
Yes
No
Not sure
Other
Do you have a Capability Statement? (A Capabilities Statement is a snapshot of your company that serves as a resume for your business. Capabilities statements are used to compare you with other vendors: Many government agencies require that a Capabilities Statement be submitted with bids.)
*
Yes
No
Not sure
Other
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Experience and Expertise
The following questions are about your experience and expertise in procurement.
Please select the top 3 challenges and specific barriers you have encountered in securing contracts with companies and government entities, and in the procurement/contracting process (Select the top 3)
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Lack of access to opportunities
Lack of access to capital
Complex procurement processes and requirements
Limited networking and connections
Insufficient resources for bid preparation
Difficulty in meeting certification or qualification criteria
Perceived lack of experience or references
High competition from established companies
Lack of knowledge about the bidding process
Challenges in meeting the scale of demand or contract size
Navigating legal and regulatory requirements
Complex bidding or application procedures
High qualification criteria or standards
Bias towards larger or more established firms
Difficulty in meeting financial or bonding requirements
Inadequate feedback on unsuccessful bids
Unclear or changing procurement/contracting policies
Language and communication barriers
Technological challenges or requirements
Geographic limitations or preferences
Time-consuming certification processes
Not Applicable
Other
Would you please elaborate on the challenges and specific barriers you selected? Specifically, we're interested in hearing about your experiences, how these issues have impacted your ability to secure contracts, and any suggestions you might have for overcoming these challenges.
What are some of your experiences/lessons learned or successes in past procurement processes?
With what organizations have you applied to access capital?
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Commercial Banks
Credit Unions
Venture Capital Firms
Angel Investors
Private Equity Firms
Crowdfunding Platforms
Microfinance Institutions
Government Grant Programs
Online Lending Platforms
Peer-to-Peer Lending Networks
Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs)
Small Business Administration (SBA) Loans
Self-Funded
Other
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Needs and Support
Please answer the following questions so we can understand your needs and areas support that you desire.
What type of SUPPORT or RESOURCES would help you in obtaining more contracts? (Select up to 3)
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Networking events and opportunities
Workshops on writing bids and proposals
Access to market research and data
Mentorship programs with experienced contractors
Legal and regulatory compliance assistance
Financial planning and management advice
Certification and qualification guidance
Technology and software tools for business management
Marketing and branding advice
Partnership and collaboration opportunities
Dedicated platforms for contract opportunities
Assistance in meeting procurement criteria
Other
Please elaborate on the types of support or resources you selected. We're interested in understanding how these specific supports could better assist you in securing more contracts. Feel free to share any particular needs or suggestions that you think would make a difference in your procurement efforts
What are the specific areas where you need ASSISTANCE or INFORMATION? (Select up to 3)
*
Bid writing and proposal preparation
Navigating certification processes
Accessing capital and financial resources
Expanding professional networking
Understanding and meeting procurement criteria
Legal and regulatory compliance
Marketing and business development strategies
Technology and digital tools for business efficiency
Project management and operations
Sustainability practices and certifications
Diversity and inclusion initiatives
Human resources and talent acquisition
Other
Please elaborate on the types of assistance or information you selected. Sharing your experiences or challenges in these areas will help us tailor our support and resources more effectively to your needs.
What are the top GOALS do you have for your business in terms of procurement opportunities? (Select up to 3)
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Expanding into new markets or sectors
Securing larger contracts or projects
Increasing the number of government contracts
Collaborating with larger corporations or businesses
Leveraging technology for better procurement processes
Building long-term partnerships and relationships
Achieving specific certification or compliance standards
Enhancing competitiveness and market positioning
Other
Please elaborate on the goals you selected. We'd love to hear more about your vision and how you see these goals driving your business forward.
What are the top industries or types of contracts you are targeting? (Select up to 3)
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Construction and infrastructure
Technology and IT services
Healthcare and medical supplies
Government and public sector services
Education and training services
Transportation and logistics
Environmental and energy solutions
Professional services
Manufacturing and supply chain
Retail and consumer goods
Financial services and insurance
Media and entertainment
Hospitality and tourism
Real estate and property management
Other
Do you have any questions, comments, or suggestions for us?
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