From fruitcakes to vacation

stays, the federal

government is buying
By Scott Nicholson

The military is not only a force for national defense, it’s also a power in the economic trenches.

Scott Dorney, executive director of the North Carolina Military Business Center, addressed a group of local business owners Thursday during the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce’s Lunch and Learn. Dorney said there were numerous business opportunities in dealing with the military, from fruitcakes to vacation stays to construction.

“It’s not just tanks, planes, and submarines,” Dorney said, outlining the process by which the military and the federal government procures goods and services. Purchases of less than $3,000 can be done by the agency with a credit card, while larger purchases require more stringent review.

Businesses wanting to deal with the federal government must be prepared for additional overhead and paperwork, and Dorney said it didn’t make sense for every kind of business, particularly those that have been around fewer than two years, to pursue contracts. However, there are simple resources to connect with bidding opportunities.

Matchforce.org is the electronic shopping center for the military, with nearly 14,000 businesses statewide listed on the side. The site matches government contractors with businesses, and an e-mail notification is sent to businesses that might be interested in providing a particular service. It also lists employment opportunities.

According to the U.S. Department of Defense, military spending in North Carolina rose 22 percent in the last fiscal year, up to $3.6 billion. That figure doesn't include military salaries, Dorney said.

He said the federal government was one of the few entities seeing a growth in spending, so it made sense for businesses to partner with them and seek out federal contracts.

Other affiliated Web sites can offer business opportunities with a number of different federal agencies, while veterans had a better shot at landing veteran-related contracts.

The Internet is a critical requirement for doing business with the government, Dorney said. Though the business center is located in Fayetteville, Dorney said the government made purchases all over the state.

The center’s goals include increasing contracts with North Carolina firms, recruiting defense contractors, and integrating military personal into the private workforce.

It also has a business development team and has posted nearly 4,000 job opportunities.

Chamber president Dan Meyer encouraged local businesses to pursue military contracts, and announced plans to have Dorney return to the area.

The Lunch and Learn was held at the Appalachian Enterprise Center in Boone.