Doing Business with U.S. Customs and Border Protection CBP

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Doing Business with U.S. Customs and Border
Protection (CBP)

• We are the guardians of our nations borders
• We are Americas frontline
• Procurement Symposium Feb 27, 2009

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CBPs MISSION
U.S. Customs and Border Protection

• We safeguard the American homeland at and beyond
  our borders
• We protect the American public against terrorist
  and instruments of terror
• We steadfastly enforce the laws of the United
  States while fostering our nations economic
  security through lawful international trade and
  travel

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Small Business PolicyFAR 19.201
U.S. Customs and Border Protection

• It is the policy of the Government to provide
  maximum practicable opportunities in its
  acquisitions to small business, veteran-owned
  small business, service-disabled veteran-owned
  small business, HUBZone small business, small
  disadvantaged business, and women-owned small
  business concerns. Such concerns must also have
  the maximum practicable opportunity to
  participate as subcontractors in the contracts
  awarded by any executive agency, consistent with
  efficient contract performance.

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Why Sell to CBP?
U.S. Customs and Border Protection

• Our mission is linked to National Security
• CBPs mission is very important and requires a
  significant amount of goods and services
• Makes payments through electronic funds transfers
  (EFT).

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CBP ExpendituresIts a Good Idea!
U.S. Customs and Border Protection

• 2005 2,172,811,198
• 2006 2,602,166,681
• 2007 2,760,882,033

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U.S. Customs and Border Protection
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Sources of Information
U.S. Customs and Border Protection

• www.dhs.gov/openforbusiness
• Contracting with the Dept of Homeland Security, a
  resource on how to get started and more.
• Opportunities-Current Contracting Opportunities.
• Small Business Procurement Assistance- a wealth
  of DHS-Small Business Procurement information
  is provided for you.
  
• Mentor Protégé Program is also included on this
  website. DHS Mentor Protégé Program Manager is
• Ms. Angela Williams and may be reached at 202
• 202-447-5280.

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Sources of Information
U.S. Customs and Border Protection

• Vendor Outreach Sessions (VOS)
• On-line 15 minute appointments with Small
  Business Specialists from various DHS components
  which convene monthly in Washington D.C.
• It gives the Small Business Community an
  opportunity to discuss their capabilities, and
  learn about potential Procurement Opportunities.

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Sources of Information
U.S. Customs and Border Protection

• Next VOS Session is scheduled
• On March 19,2009
• For Women Owned Businesses

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Four Magic Ps For Small Business
U.S. Customs and Border Protection

• Past Performance develop past performance that
  you can be proud of
• Patience- Who is the right person to contact
• Persistent- Be persistent in a professional way
• Polite- The words Thank You can carry a-lot of
  weight

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Vendor Marketing Tips
U.S. Customs and Border Protection

• Provide a superior product or service, in a
  timely manner, at a demonstrated fair and
  reasonable price
• Identify your customers and know their needs
• Provide information on company web pages
• Join Professional Acquisition and Supply Chain
  Associations
• Attend Agency Business Outreach Sessions

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Potential Business Opportunities
U.S. Customs and Border Protection

• Review the Forecast of Contract Opportunities for
  future opportunities (www.dhs.gov/openforbusiness)
  , also at www.fido.gov/dhs/aap/
• FedBizOpps (www.fbo.gov) procurement
  opportunities over 25,000 are posted here
  (unless awards are made against a GSA Schedule
  contract)
• Subcontracting opportunities-Review DHS List of
  Prime Contractors (www.dhs.gov/openforbusiness)
• SBA SUB-Net (http//web.sba.gov/subnet) Prime
  Contractors post subcontracting opportunities.

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Examples of What CBP Buys
U.S. Customs and Border Protection

• Goods of Every Type
• Law Enforcement Equipment, Body Armor,
  Ammunition, Firearms, Boats, Aircraft, Uniforms,
  Software, Hardware, Office Machines, Laboratory
  Equipment, Fitness Equipment, Vehicles, ATVs,
  Canines, Horses, Hay, Computers, Furniture

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Examples of What CBP Buys
U.S. Customs and Border Protection

• Services of Every Type
• Architect Engineering, Construction,
• Medical, Automated Data Processing,
• Custodial, Aircraft Maintenance, Training,
• Disposal, Farrier, Porta-Potty, Pest Control,
• Bottled Water, Potable Water,

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Prior to Doing Business with CBP
U.S. Customs and Border Protection

• Determine your NAICS Code(s)
• Obtain a TIN Duns Bradstreet No.
• Register in CCR (www.ccr.gov)
• Know what CBP buys

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After Earning your First GovernmentContract-R
emember to
U.S. Customs and Border Protection

• Perform
• Deliver on time
• Keep in touch with the Contracting Officer

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Summary
U.S. Customs and Border Protection

• Past Performance is Very Important!
• Invest time in studying the business and the
  Governments acquisition process
• Be patient
• Market, Market, Market

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Summary
U.S. Customs and Border Protection

• Build Business Relationships
• Network
• Attend Government Acquisition Conferences
• Price goods and services fairly
• Deliver a quality product/service in timely manner

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Summary
U.S. Customs and Border Protection

• If you can deliver timely, quality, goods and
  services at fair prices, CBP is interested in
  doing business with you.

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Small Business Specialist
U.S. Customs and Border Protection

• Clarence Abernathy, Small Business Specialist
• 317-614-4562, E-mail clarence.abernathy_at_dhs.gov

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Point of Contacts in El Paso Office
U.S. Customs and Border Protection

• Our office is located at
• El Paso Sector Border Patrol Headquarters
• 8901 Montana Ave-Corner of Hawkins Montana
• Barbara Aspera-Lead Contract Specialist
• Barbara.aspera_at_dhs.gov
• 915-834-8609

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Point of Contacts in El Paso Office
U.S. Customs and Border Protection

• Hilaria Candy Ehrlich 915-834-8607
• Hilaria.ehrlich_at_dhs.gov
• Sylvia Rios 915-834-8604
• Sylvia.rios_at_dhs.gov
• Russell Brehm 915-834-8610
• Russell.Brehm_at_dhs.gov

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Upcoming Event
U.S. Customs and Border Protection

• EPCC-Contract Opportunities Center
• Meet Greet with CBP
• May 7, 2009
• At
• El Paso Community College Opportunity Center

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Thank You!
U.S. Customs and Border Protection

• Thank you for your interest in U.S. Customs and
  Border Protection (CBP)
• We look forward to working with you!