You earned the certification. Now make it work for you.
A free, hands-on two-week series for business owners certified at the state and/or federal level, including MWBE, Women-Owned Small Business and SDVOB, who are ready to turn certification into contracts.
Monday, November 2 & Wednesday, November 4
5:30 to 7:30 PM
Canisius University, Science Hall
What Did I Miss? Putting your certification to work
Wednesday, November 4
Science Hall
1901 Main Street
Buffalo, NY 14208
Less guessing. More contracts.
Whether you're certified with New York State, the SBA, or both, certification opened the door. This series shows you how to walk through it.
Know what your certification unlocks
How state agencies use MWBE and SDVOB utilization goals, how federal agencies use small business set-asides, and the difference between being listed and being competitive.
State and federal certifications, explained
MWBE, Women-Owned Small Business, SDVOB and more: how New York State certifications and SBA's federal programs, including 8(a), HUBZone and "small" business status, fit together.
State and federal procurement, demystified
How state agencies and federal buyers purchase, where opportunities are posted, and how to position your business to pursue them.
A finished capability statement
Built with you in the room, so you leave with one ready to send.
Your procurement portals, set up
Walk through SAM.gov, the NYS Contract Reporter and other state and federal portals, step by step.
A plan for primes and bids
How to build relationships with prime contractors on state and federal work, make the most of procurement events, and approach bids and RFPs with strategy.
Talia Johnson-Huff
Founder & CEO, MWBE Constructors, Inc.
Talia knows this journey from every side of the table. She has spent more than 20 years in construction, infrastructure and economic development, and more than 15 as a certified business owner who still renews her own certification.
As Director of Projects & Property at the Erie County Industrial Development Agency, she writes and reviews RFPs and oversees MWBE and SDVOB utilization on public contracts, so she knows exactly what buyers look for. She also founded the Buffalo Niagara MWBE & SDVOB Training Day Conference through her nonprofit, The RARE Place.
The RARE Place creates economic pathways for underestimated communities in Buffalo through workforce development, entrepreneurship training and leadership programs. That work is what fuels her passion for helping certified businesses grow, compete and win.
This workshop is for you if…
- You're certified at the state and/or federal level, such as MWBE, Women-Owned Small Business or SDVOB
- You expected certification to bring contracts, and they haven't come yet
- You hold one certification and wonder whether another could open more doors
- You want a clear next step, not another webinar
Not certified yet? Start here.
The Readiness Standard, also led by Talia, helps women-owned, minority-owned and service-disabled veteran-owned businesses get certified and become truly contract-ready.
You did the hard part. Let's put it to work.
Two evenings, alongside other state and federally certified owners who get it.
Wednesday, November 4
Science Hall
1901 Main Street
Buffalo, NY 14208