Find the Right Partner
Partnering with another firm is a great way to grow your business and expand your capabilities. If you’re just starting out, a subcontracting partnership can help you improve your business management and other industry-specific skills.
The City of Wichita helps connect small businesses and large firms through regular networking events. These events are a great way to meet prime contractors and explore new opportunities.
Creating a strong capability statement ahead of time and sharing it with representatives from larger firms is a good way to maximize the value of these networking events.
Build a Mentor-Protégé Relationship
Once you have found a larger firm to work with, you can formalize your working relationship using the Small Business Administration’s All Small Mentor-Protégé program. This program helps small businesses and seasoned professionals work together to bid on government contracts.
You can learn more about the program at the SBA’s Mentor-Protégé website.
Find a Prime Contractor to Work With
Lack of experience and certain certifications may disqualify some smaller firms from bidding on larger government contracts. However, for certain bids, the City requires that larger contractors partner with small firms in order to promote local businesses and ensure a more equal playing field.
In order to facilitate these partnerships, the City holds matchmaking events before major projects. If you are interested in attending one of these events, contact the Office of Supplier Diversity.
Additionally, larger contractors can find smaller firms in the EBE Directory.