Contract Opportunities Center

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The Contract Opportunities Center (COC) serves as an APEX Accelerator, formerly known as a Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC), administered currently by the Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP). This APEX Accelerator is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the Department of Defense. 

 

In 1986, the US Department of Defense awarded a Cooperative Agreement to the El Paso Community College to operate the Contract Opportunities Center to advance the DOD’s efforts to increase competition in the private sector in order to satisfy its requirements for products and services. The COC is part of the Association of Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (APTAC), a nationwide network of ninety-four centers - with over 300 local offices that work towards helping local businesses compete successfully in the government marketplace. 
 

The COC provides specialized and professional assistance to individuals and businesses in the El Paso area who are seeking to learn about contracting and subcontracting opportunities, who are actively seeking contracting and subcontracting opportunities and/or performing under contracts and subcontracts with the DOD, other federal agencies, or state and local governments.

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Mission
 

Small businesses have been an integral part of America’s economic growth and development. Because of this, to ensure continued growth, we must focus on this uniquely American phenomenon and maintain a productive and educated work force that contributes to the overall success of all businesses.

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The mission of the Contract Opportunities Center is to promote business development by providing procurement technical assistance throughout the County of El Paso. The Center is committed to assisting and motivating businesses - with emphasis on small, minority, women-owned, veteran-owned, small disadvantaged and HUBZone certified - toward market expansion and job creation through active pursuit of government contracting opportunities to include federal, state, county, municipal, educational institutions including their prime contractors.

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Services
 

Technical Support:  Includes bid preparation assistance, pre-award technical assistance and post-award assistance.

 

Counseling Support: Includes client needs assessment, new client program orientation, guidance and assistance with SAM and DSBS registration, bid analysis, proposal preparation and submission, use of electronic data information.

 

Outreach Support:  Includes conferences, networking, seminars/workshops, on-site visits and technical training.

 

Bid Matching Support: Customized bid matching services.  Annual fee $50.

 

Marketing Support:  Includes research, strategies in accessing federal, state and municipal markets and various electronic registrations.

 

Reference Support:  Includes Federal Acquisition Regulations, Texas State Procurement Information, Municipal purchasing Systems, Procurement Automated Source Systems, Reference Library and Government and Military Specifications.

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Training & Resources: Information and training seminars and workshops are offered throughout the year which assist businesses to increase their knowledge and enhance their skills in business management, operations, and specialized areas related to purchasing , procurement and contracting. Counseling and technical assistance  is provided free of charge.  Seminars and workshops will occasionally require a registration fee.