Calvert County, Maryland Department of Economic Development Offers Free Workshop on Government Contracting

PRINCE FREDERICK, Md., -- April 27, 2005 -- Mia Darden, president and CEO of Darden Technologies, Inc. (DTI) of Lusby, Md., knows the value that government contracts bring to a business. For the past 3-1/2 years, she has maintained a program management subcontract with the Naval Air Systems Command, Upgrades Program Office based in Lexington Park and credits much of her company’s success to the work she does there. “Many small business owners are intimidated by the notion of doing business with the government,” she said. “But I know that my business wouldn’t be where it is today without this contract.”

When Ms. Darden first started her business, she sought out and received assistance and training in government procurement procedures and regulations from a variety of sources including the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), the Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization Office at Patuxent River’s Naval Air Systems Command, the College of Southern Maryland and the Calvert County Department of Economic Development (DED).

To assist other County businesses, the DED, in partnership with the College of Southern Maryland, will host a Procurement Fair on Wednesday, May 11, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Express in Prince Frederick. Workshops will provide information on how to do business with local utilities, Calvert County government, the State of Maryland and the federal government. A special session at 8:30 will feature the Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO) and discuss funding programs available for technology transfer and commercialization. Companies will learn how to use TEDCO’s programs to transfer or develop technology from Maryland universities and federal laboratories for use in the marketplace. Exhibitors and procurement officers from a number of government agencies will be on hand to answer questions one-on-one and provide additional guidelines on their specific procurement process.

Marge Ridgell, programs coordinator with the SBDC, helps small business owners gain knowledge to compete for the billions of dollars of government contracts that are offered each year by federal, state and local governments. She said, “Many agencies look specifically to small- and medium-sized businesses to provide a level of customer service and connection to the local community that they are unable to get from large corporations. The 2005 Procurement Fair will provide an excellent way for Calvert County’s business owners to learn more about the government procurement process – plus it’s free, which is always a good thing!”

For more information on the Calvert County, Maryland Department of Economic Development, our visitor sites and attractions and the services available to assist County businesses, call 410.535.4583, 800.331.9771 or 301.855.1880; or send an e-mail to info@ecalvert.com