Listen to what politicians say in public forums…and find new contracting opportunities!
by Mary Scott Nabers, CEO of Strategic Partnerships, Inc.
Want to know where public officials will be spending money in the next 18 months? If so, follow what elected officials are discussing in public forums.
Interesting to note that politicians tend to talk freely about what their respective cities, counties, agencies or states are likely to be doing in the near future. And, at professional conferences for elected officials, the scheduled sessions deal with initiatives and issues being considered at the various levels of government.
So, it follows that if government contractors listen well, or read press accounts, or periodically check out national conference programs…it is not all that hard to know what kind of solutions are in high demand.
Here are a few trends that will lead to definite opportunities in the near future:
President Obama and others in his administration have publicly stated that America is behind many other countries when it comes to efficient transportation. Billions have already been allocated for high-speed rail. More funding is likely.
Currently, 31 states will participate in $8 billion in federal funding to be used for high-speed rail initiatives. California will receive the lion’s share of the funding - $2.3 billion. Florida will receive $1.25 billion and a few other states are not too far behind these two. Thousands of related contracting opportunities result from every transportation initiative.
The federal budget has allocated $280 million for local and regional economic development initiatives. Translated, that means that public officials are already in the planning stages for various types of projects related to economic development. This current funding will come through the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the program to watch is called the Rural Innovation Initiative.
Rural communities are also receiving billions in stimulus funding as they improve Internet capabilities, participate in distance learning initiatives, build health care clinics and upgrade technology in local school districts. In any region of the country, announcements are made daily about how and when the funding will be spent.
At the state level, while governors and legislators are focused on cost cutting, they are also discussing all types of public-private partnerships. P3s, as they are called, are also popular on university campuses where there are student housing needs.
At the state level, elected officials are launching programs based on available funding flowing from the federal level. These types of opportunities include:
- Fusion centers to assist law enforcement;
- Increased security initiatives of all types;
- Upgrades to existing technology, especially related to new federal mandates in health care and federal stimulus funding for broadband;
- Economic development efforts; and
- Energy conservation programs.
Mayors and city managers in every state are touting energy conservation as they announce new solar, wind and alternative energy initiatives. Opportunities related to energy have never been so abundant. Citizens want better energy management. Taxpayers want cost savings and the federal government has made money available for energy projects. This trend will not subside anytime soon.
Other popular initiatives with elected officials in municipalities include the following:
- More bike trails, street lanes, parking areas and preferential treatment programs;
- Kiosks that provide self-service solutions;
- Financial services kiosks at jail facilities that allow cash to be deposited into an account for an inmate and a "credit card" in that amount issued to the inmate for food, personal supplies and pharmacy purchases;
- Enhanced park facilities; and
- Increased public safety through enhanced security programs.
Politicians talk to the public every day. And, most of what they say will eventually lead to funded projects and opportunities for government contractors. It would be wise to look for opportunities related to some of the most popular current topics, such as:
- Social networking outreach;
- Nutrition concerns;
- Disaster planning;
- Water projects;
- Multi-generational centers; and
- Education reform.
Successful government contractors will find ways to tie product and service offerings to topics being discussed by elected officials in public forums. Simply put, that is where the best opportunities are likely to be found.
***Don’t have time to monitor public conversations? Contact SPI and ask about notification alerts to upcoming opportunities long before public announcements are made….RWeil@spartnerships.com
Mary Scott Nabers is president and CEO of Strategic Partnerships, Inc., a 15-year-old procurement consulting and procurement research firm headquartered in Austin, Texas.
