Procurement Technical Assistance Center(PTAC)
Federally funded local centers that provide free counseling and training to businesses seeking government contracts.
Overview
Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTACs) are a nationwide network of locally operated centers funded in part by the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA). They provide free or low-cost counseling, training, and technical assistance to businesses pursuing government contracts at the federal, state, and local levels. PTACs are one of the most valuable — and underused — resources for new and small contractors.
Why It Matters in GovCon
PTACs help businesses with everything from SAM.gov registration and NAICS code selection to proposal writing and compliance. They are staffed by procurement professionals who understand the government buying process and can provide one-on-one guidance tailored to your business. There are nearly 300 PTACs across the country.
Key Details
- Services: SAM registration assistance, bid matching, proposal review, contract compliance guidance, GSA Schedule application support, and training workshops.
- Cost: Most services are free; some centers charge nominal fees.
- Eligibility: Open to any business seeking government contracts, regardless of size or industry.
- Network: Managed by the Association of Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (APTAC) with centers in every state.
- Funding: Cooperative agreements between the DLA and local host organizations (universities, economic development agencies, etc.).
How GovCon Data Can Help
While PTACs provide hands-on counseling, GovCon Data complements that support with AI-powered opportunity discovery, automated bid matching, and proposal generation tools that accelerate your contracting journey.
Related Terms
- System for Award Management (SAM)
- Small Business Administration (SBA)
- NAICS Codes
- Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU)
More Agencies Terms
The DoD agency responsible for auditing defense contractor costs, pricing, and accounting systems.
The independent congressional agency that investigates federal spending, audits government programs, and adjudicates bid protests.
The federal agency responsible for managing government buildings, providing products and services to agencies, and administering the GSA Schedule program.
A federal agency that develops technology standards and guidelines, including the cybersecurity frameworks required for government contractors.
The office within each major federal agency responsible for promoting small business participation in the agency's contracting activities.
The federal database (now part of CPARS) where agencies record and retrieve contractor performance evaluations for use in source selection.
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