NEWS YOU CAN USE:

Indiana State Governor “Mitch” Daniels has recently issued Executive Order 05-05 to establish a “Buy Indiana” initiative with the goal of having state agencies procure ninety cents ($.90) of every dollar from Indiana businesses. As of June 2005, over forty cents ($.40) of every public purchasing dollar in Indiana state government was being spent on out-of-state companies. Since tax dollars spent on goods and services provided by Indiana-based companies will provide increased employment opportunities and more tax revenues, this policy change should benefit all Hoosiers.

Here are some of the highlights of the “Buy Indiana” initiative:

• A company is an “Indiana business” if it meets any one of these five (5) conditions: 1. A business whose principal place of business is located in Indiana. 2. A business that pays a majority of its payroll (in dollar volume) to residents of Indiana. 3. A business that employs Indiana residents as a majority of its employees. 4. A business that makes significant capital investments (minimum $5 million in plant and/or equipment or annual lease payment of $2.5 million) in Indiana. 5. A business that has a substantial positive economic impact on Indiana. This is defined in the full-text document (see clickable link below).
• Indiana companies must certify their status as such by going to www.BuyIndiana.IN.gov and clicking on the link to register.
• Request for Proposals will be scored with additional points for Indiana companies and/or Indiana Economic Impact companies.
• The “Buy Indiana” initiative became effective July 1st, 2005.
• A full-text version of this announcement appears in this link:

www.in.gov/idoa/proc/BuyIndianabusinessletter.pdf

CLIENT SPOTLIGHT:

This issue of our newsletter features one of our PICC clients, Spectrum Lasers www.spectrumlasers.org . This multi-axis, industrial laser job shop is located at 233 Matteson Street in Dyer, IN. Spectrum Lasers is both ISO 9001:2000 Certified and is also a Certified Woman Owned Business.

Barbara Case Andrews of Spectrum Lasers explains the benefits of laser drilling which provides the high speed and accuracy needed by many industries: “Our precision laser hole drilling is used by the aerospace and gas turbine industries. These holes are drilled at extreme angles with respect to the part.” “Repeatability, accuracy and speed are major advantages of using laser cutting and welding for our customers. Precision cutting and welding of medical components, stainless steel marine manifolds, and intersecting pipes are examples of applications where laser processing provides clean reliable results.”

“Three-dimensional shapes such as cylinders, pipes, spun and hydroformed parts can be processed on our 5-axis laser. A rotary table provides a sixth axis for indexing. We can process multiple materials including but not limited to stainless steel, aluminum, hastaloy, ceramic, brass, and copper.”

Spectrum Lasers services the aerospace, automotive, marine, medical, and appliance industries; however, metal fabricators, spinners, and hydroformers also benefit from the laser processing. Spectrum Lasers is flexible in meeting customers needs. Barb notes, “We can perform both production runs and/or rapid prototyping of experimental parts.”

For more information, phone or fax 219-864-1353.

CONFERENCE NEWS:

Crane Division, Naval Surface Warfare Center offers the 9^th Annual “Buy Indiana Expo”

 The Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce (Bedford, Indiana) will host the NSWC Crane event on Thursday, October 20, 2005 in the Bedford North Lawrence Community Schools gymnasium from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. mark your calendar now.

 The purpose of the event is to connect Hoosier companies to unique opportunities to expand their business through contracts with government centers. Last year NSWC Crane spent over $900 million for goods and services, but less than 17% was spent with Indiana companies.

 Workshops will be conducted that day to educate businesses on how to do business with the federal government, particularly NSWC Crane. 

 Businesses can participate either by attending the expo or by showcasing their business to those in attendance with an exhibit space.  A 10’x10’ area with a linen-clothed table and two chairs is $150. 

 For more information about the event, contact the Bedford Area Chamber at 812-275-4493 or email Bedford@bedfordchamber.com.

 DFAS Columbus Contractor Customer Service Open House scheduled for November 15-17

 The Defense Finance and Accounting Service Columbus Customer Support Office invites private sector contractors/vendors to attend their next Customer Service Open House November 15-17 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. There are no fees associated with the event; however, attendees must provide their own travel and accommodation expenses. 

 The Open House agenda will include briefings and discussions on the Customer Support Office, Mechanization of Contract Administration Services (MOCAS) payment procedures, the Standard Automated Material Management System (SAMMS) payment procedures, the Computerized Accounts Payable System (CAPS), and other electronic commerce initiatives.

 This quarterly event reaches maximum registration quickly, so early registration is encouraged.  For additional information, call 1-800-756-4571, option 6.

Jack Schultz, COO, Agracel, Inc.; Morton Marcus, Director Emeritus, Indiana Business Research Center, Kelley School of Business, IU; and Damian Mason, Common Sense Comedy for Corporate America.

For more details contact Lincoln Schrock at 260-426-7649.

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS:

UPCOMING WORKSHOP:

 PICC is offering a low-cost workshop on

Doing Business with the GSA
August 4^th, South Bend, 1 p.m. until 4 p.m.

• Learn the reasons that Federal agencies like to use General Services Administration (GSA) schedules
• Discover the pros and cons of doing business with the GSA
• Find out whether being on a GSA Schedule is right for your company
• Get assistance in finding and downloading a GSA solicitation for your service or product
• Learn exactly how a GSA Schedule works from a practical, everyday point of view.
• Have your questions answered regarding special clauses and GSA requirements by experienced contractor personnel.

Call PICC today (219-762-8644) to register or obtain more information.  There is still time to be in this workshop.

Teaming to get Contracts  

This event, sponsored by Chester Technologies of Valparaiso www.chestertech.com and RomanArt www.romanartinc.com of Merrillville, will feature a representative from the SBA giving an overview of the guidelines for teaming. The program will also feature Stacey Smith, owner of Prairie Consulting of Fort Wayne, who will give a practical and real-experience perspective. Teaming is one way that smaller companies can expand their contract opportunities.

The event is scheduled for September 8^th from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Express, 2323 Willowcreek Road (adjacent to the I-80 Portage exit/entrance or I-94 to 149, south 1 mile).  This will also provide an opportunity for you to meet other companies interested in federal contracting and in partnering. A company must be registered in Central Contractor Registration (CCR) to attend.

The cost to attend this event is $10 per person, which includes hors d’oeuvres. There will be a cash bar. RSVP is not mandatory, but it will help us in making sure we have adequate food and drink. RSVP to mailto:picc@piccorp.org or call 219-762-8644 ex163.

OTHER NEWS:

Erin Arreguin, Research Analyst for PICC, has left for another position in Newport Indiana. Her last day with PICC was July 29, 2005. She had worked at PICC for over 3 years, and she will be missed.

Ad space is available in our e-news letter. Money from the ads go to help support PICC’s programming and is a great way to get your company name out to over 1000 business that are involved in federal contracting and subcontracting. Please visit our supporter s web site and support those companies that are helping our program.

Client Spot Light is a new feature article that will appear in each newsletter. Any company interested in appearing in the newsletter should contact Dennis Terry at dterry@piccorp.org.

In Kind Contributions

PICC would be at a great disadvantage without the In Kind contributions and wants to thank the following businesses, institutions and associations:

• La Porte Chamber of Commerce,

• The Greater Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce,

• Merrillville Chamber of Commerce,

• Michigan City Area Chamber of Commerce,

• Michigan City UEA,

• Hammond Development Corp.,

• Indiana University Northwest,

• NIPSCO,

• Netnitco,

• NIRPC,

• NWIN Forum,

• SBDC,

• Starke County.

Cash Contributors

 Cash contributions are necessary for PICC to obtain its federal grant.  The government matches 75% to 25% of the total contributions. Contributors for last year were:

• The Hammond Urban Enterprise Association

• City of East Chicago

• Lake County Council

• La Porte County

• Regional Development Corp.

• NIPSCO

PICC would like to thank these sponsors for their generous contributions.

Partners in Contracting Corporation
6100 Southport Road, Portage, Indiana 46368 219.762.8644

Satellite Offices: (By Appointment)
LaPorte Chamber of Commerce, 414 Lincolnway 219.362.3178
Greater Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce, 150 Lincolnway 219.462.1105
Hammond Development Corporation, 5246 Hohman Ave. 219.853.6399
Michigan City Urban Enterprise Assoc. 2601 E Michigan Blvd, Ste 200 219.873.2300
IUN, 3400 Broadway, 219.981.4258
Pulaski Co. Community Development Commission, 623 W. 11th St., 574.946.3869
Starke  Co. Development Foundation, 4 N. Main St., 574.772.5627