In Enterprise contractor explains how to do business with Rucker

To encourage and solicit new contractor sources was one of the reasons officials of Fort Rucker’s Directorate of Contracting accepted Enterprise Mayor Kenneth Boswell’s invitation to meet with local business people Wednesday afternoon.
“One of Maj. Gen. James Barclay’s initiatives is that when projects are going to be bid on this year, local Wiregrass companies will have opportunities,” Boswell said.
Representing the contracting office was Deputy Director Jim Snellgrove, who explained the mission and focus of the directorate that awarded $192.6 million in contracts during the 2008 fiscal year and is expected to award $230 million this year. Echoing the mayor’s remarks about Barclay’s initiative, Snellgrove said, “We are looking to do construction projects, but we do buy goods and services every day.”
Providing contracting support for Fort Rucker is his office’s purpose, Snellgrove said. “Our ultimate customer is the soldier,” he said. “We support their needs for training and material and for their well-being.”
Citing an expected 25 percent increase in flight training at Fort Rucker, Snellgrove said his office “anticipates that there will be a number of construction contracting opportunities during the upcoming year.”
Snellgrove advised the business people to visit the contracting office Web site at www-rucker.army.mil, and said the hyphen after “www” is the correct address.
“From there, select the ‘Garrison Command’ button, then the Installation ‘Support’ button and then click on ‘Contracting’ on the drop-down menu.” he said.
Recurring contracts include laundry services, refuse collection, elevator maintenance, custodial services, packing and crating of household goods and copier machine leasing. Contracts are also let for general construction repair and renovation work, equipment and repair parts, he said.
Snellgrove advised the group to visit the Federal Business Opportunities Web site, which he called “your main Web site, a one-stop shopping center.”
“The first thing to do,” Snellgrove said, “is to register in the Central Contractor Registration Web site.” The Web site is www.ccr.gov and it will take three to five working days to get set up, he said. “I recommend going ahead and getting registered in advance.”
Contracting opportunities with the Army can be found at https://acquisition.army.mil/asfi/, Snellgrove said. “That is where we actually post solicitations.”
Snellgrove recommended visiting the Small Business Administration’s Web site at www.sba.gov. “You can find out the exact criteria to be classified as a small business,” he said. “It has a lot of valuable links to other places.”
“You should know the Federal Supply Class Code or Service Class Code that is applicable for the product or service you provide,” Snellgrove said. “You should obtain a Dunn and Bradstreet number and register your company in the Central Contract Registration System Database.”
“Consider subcontracting with prime contractors,” Snellgrove said. “Become familiar with federal contracting regulations and procedures.”
The Small Business Specialist for Fort Rucker is Richard Bledsoe, who can be reached at 255-2013 or by e-mail at: richard.bledsoe@conus.army.mil, Snellgrove said. “His office can provide information and guidance on defense procurement procedures and how to identify prime contact and subcontract opportunities.”