The City of Knoxville's Equal Business Opportunity Program will kick off its second series of business workshops this fall on September 18th with a session on United States General Services Administration contracts. The city is partnering with GSA, the University of Tennessee's Procurement Technical Assistance Center and the Knoxville Utilities Board to offer the series. The other two sessions are set for October 2nd and October 9th and all three of the workshops will be conducted in the Knox Community Room at the Knoxville News Sentinel Building, 2332 News Sentinel Drive.

The city will conclude the series of workshops with a November 13th reception that will highlight timelines and bidding opportunities for large upcoming city projects like the South Waterfront Development and the Knoxville Station Transit Center among others. The goal of the workshop series is to give individuals involved in small businesses in Knoxville and the surrounding area a better understanding of government contract processes helping them take advantage of the opportunities available to them.

The three workshops include:Sept. 18th -

9 a.m. until noon: GSA Schedule Contract Training
The workshop will assist small businesses in obtaining a GSA Schedule and understanding how they are used in the federal acquisition process among other topics.
This session will feature Calvin A. Stevens, deputy director of the GSA's Marketing Division.

Oct. 2nd - 6-8 p.m.: Bid Estimating
This workshop will feature topics like estimating and bidding methodologies; indirect and overhead costs; calculating profits on a contract and finalizing a profitable and competitive bid proposal.

Oct. 9th - 6-7:30 p.m.: Doing Business with KUB
The workshop looks at all elements of working with KUB including how to develop a responsive quote, bid or proposal; learning about the utility's Supplier Diversity Program and construction and service contracts.

November 13th - 5:30-7:30 p.m.: Reception, location to be determined
City of Knoxville reception for workshop participants. This event will include information on bidding opportunities for city projects.Seating is limited for these workshops so early registration is encouraged.

To register for one or all of the workshops please submit the following information:

Full name, name of the business, address, telephone number and email address, number of years you have been in business, number of people from your business who will be attending

To: The Equal Business Opportunity Program @ 865-215-3867 or fax 865-215-2211 or email [email protected]