$1.2 Trillion in Government Contracts: What Small Businesses Need to Know

$1.2 trillion in government contracting opportunities are on the table—but getting certified doesn't mean you're getting the contract. Angela L.

Alexander, Executive Director of the North Central Texas Regional Certification Agency (NCTRCA) , joins Making Black History Today to explain what small businesses need to know about government contracts, DBE certification, minority business certification, procurement and contracting opportunities in a changing environment. Changes affecting the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) programs are changing how some businesses demonstrate eligibility.

For Black-owned, minority-owned, women-owned and disadvantaged businesses, understanding those changes is increasingly important when competing for public-sector opportunities. But certification is only the beginning.

Getting certified doesn't guarantee a contract. Businesses still need the capacity to perform, relationships with buyers and prime contractors, visibility, access to information and a strategy for identifying and pursuing the right opportunities.

Angela discusses why partnerships and joint ventures can help small businesses compete for larger contracts, what entrepreneurs should be doing after becoming certified and why building relationships matters in government procurement. She also introduces The Bridge by NCTRCA , an AI-powered directory designed to increase the visibility of certified businesses and connect them with buyers and prime contractors.

In this episode, you'll learn: • What NCTRCA does and why business certification matters • What DBE, ACDBE, MBE, WBE and SBE certifications mean • What's changing for DBE and ACDBE businesses • Why certification doesn't guarantee government contracts • How small businesses can position themselves for contracting opportunities • Why capacity and relationships with prime contractors matter • How partnerships and joint ventures can create opportunities for small businesses • How The Bridge by NCTRCA helps certified businesses increase their visibility • What Angela Alexander believes entrepreneurs should be doing now • What Making Black History Today means to Angela Alexander Whether you're pursuing your first government contract , already have DBE, MBE, WBE or SBE certification , or you're trying to grow a Black-owned, minority-owned or woman-owned business, this conversation offers insight into what it takes to move from certified to competitive . Because with $1.2 trillion in contracting opportunities , knowing the opportunity exists isn't enough.

You have to be positioned to compete for it. 🎙️ Making Black History Today documents the leaders, entrepreneurs, educators, creatives and change-makers writing Black history right now. Hosted by Liz & Porter . 🌐 📩 impact@ New Episodes Drop Every Other Thursday