2024 TRAINING AND MATCHMAKING EVENT Burlington, Vermont
MATCHMAKING

NOTE: Matchmaker Scheduling Begins Soon!  Suppliers, be sure to complete your profile in the Portal to access the Scheduler

 

 

What Is A Matchmaker?

 

• Matchmaker or Speed Partnering are one-on-one sessions that connect small businesses with federal, state, local government agencies, and large prime contractors.

• Speed partnering is like speed dating for your business, but with scheduled appointments/matches based on a firm's capabilities and the buyer's needs.

 

What to Do Before the Matchmaker?

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• Look at the list of the government agencies and prime contractors who will be attending the Matchmaker and their procurement opportunities. Make sure to target the organizations that are looking for the products and/or services that you provide.

• Complete Market Research - The websites for each government agency and prime contractor are the best source to determine whether they might be candidates for your service or product. Remember, use your time wisely!

• Prepare Effective Marketing - Remember to bring your business cards and corporate capability statements. Also, make sure your website and marketing materials are up to date before giving out your information.

• Update Registrations - Make sure that you are registered with each level of government in order to do business with each agency and prime. Important registrations include: System for Award Management (SAM), Dynamic Small Business Search (DSBS). Make sure you have current local or state certifications, bonding and insurance information.

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How Does Matchmaking Work?

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Matchmaking operates as a rapid interviewing process. The structure and flow of the appointment is determined by the personnel of the buying organizations conducting the interview(s). 

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Government buyers and large prime contractors will be seated at tables. Small businesses will be able to meet with them on a one-on-one basis for ten minute increments. When time is up, small businesses must conclude and allow for the next small business. We ask that you please be considerate of the buyers' time limits and other small businesses as you would like others to do the same. 

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Prior to the event, Suppliers will be asked to register in a Matchmaking Portal.  This Portal requests the Suppliers company information including NAICS and small business certifications.  Registering in this Portal is what allows the Suppliers to schedule their meetings.

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The Matchmaking Portal will try to match the Supplier NAICS with the Buyer NAICS.  Reasons Buyers may not schedule with a Supplier may depend on the following reason(s):

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• A buyer may not have a need for the product(s) and/or service(s) that you sell

• You may not have the certifications the buyer needs to do business

• You may not have the professional licenses a buyer is looking for to do business

• Other reason(s) relevant to the Buyer

 

Registration for the Matchmaking Portal should be available 30 days prior to the event.  Scheduling with Buyers will begin 14 days before the event. We ask you review the buyers' opportunities and select based upon their requests. Some buyers may have open opportunities available, with no restrictions.We ask that you please be considerate of time limits, as you would like others to do the same. Please see the opportunities page frequently as new prime contractors and agencies are registering daily.

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Meeting schedules will be available via the Matchmaking Portal. Printed copies of Supplier schedules will be available upon event check-in. You must pre-schedule before receiving a confirmed schedule. 

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