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FAQs

You probably have questions about Albany’s Small Business Procurement (SBP) Program.

Well, here are the answers to the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) we’ve been asked:

What is the Albany Small Business Procurement (SBP) Program and what is its purpose?

  • The City of Albany developed a small business program to provide procurement training and assistance to local small businesses.  The purpose of the program is to increase the number of City contract awards, and other procurements, to local small businesses, and thereby build business capacity, create jobs, and strengthen the local economy.

Who is eligible to participate?

  • To be eligible to participate in this program, a small business must be located inside Albany’s city limits or in Dougherty County.  Exact location of a business determines eligibility to participate in different aspects of the SBP Program. 

What about businesses who are not small businesses or are not located in Albany or Dougherty County — can they participate in the SBP Program?

  • Both large businesses and businesses located outside of the Albany area can participate by partnering with Albany-area businesses.

What are the benefits to eligible businesses?

Participating businesses:

  • Receive customized training on how to do business with the City of Albany, including instruction on how to prepare bids and proposals.
  • Receive instruction and counseling on all aspects of government contracting, including how to effectively market your business in the government arena.
  • Are provided with detailed information about upcoming contract opportunities with the City, other local governments in the area, the State of Georgia, and federal agencies – as often as daily.
  • Are included in an on-line certified small business vendor directory for use by the City, other local governments, prime contractors and local small businesses to identify business sources and develop relationships.
  • Have exclusive access to bid on City contracts valued at less than $50,000, through the City’s sheltered market program.
  • Receive a purchasing preference on City contracts involving requests for proposals and other solicitations involving proposal evaluation factors.
  • Receive invitations to attend matchmaking and networking events, exclusively designed to help Albany-area businesses build business relationships and partnerships.

How do I sign-up?

  • To participate, a company first must be certified as an Albany Small Business Enterprise (ASBE).  We will help you with this application process.  There is a one-time, nonrefundable $25 fee to cover the City’s cost of administration.

What is Georgia Tech’s role in this program?

  • The City of Albany selected Georgia Tech to provide management and administrative support to the Small Business Procurement (SBP) Program.  Experienced government contracting experts are providing the training, instruction, and counseling to the Albany-area small businesses participating in the program.