USPAACC Midwest attended a Small Business Week panel hosted by the Illinois SBDC and Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, focusing on partnerships between large corporations and minority-owned businesses. Panelists shared strategies for securing government and private contracts, emphasizing relationship-building, vendor registration, and leveraging certifications. Key insights included navigating procurement processes, accessing micro-purchase bids under $10,000, and utilizing funding programs like SBIR for tech innovation. Experts highlighted resources such as APEX Accelerators and USASpending.gov to help small businesses prepare for future contracting opportunities.
