Loudoun SBDC RFP - Technology Upgrade, Posted July 31, 2012

Loudoun Small Business Development Center

Technology Upgrade Request for Proposal

Issued:  July 31, 2012

Loudoun SBDC

202 Church Street, SE, Suite 100

Leesburg, VA  20175

703-430-7222

CCampbell@LoudounSBDC.org

General Invitation

Purpose of the Request for Proposal

Loudoun Small Business Development Center (Loudoun SBDC) seeks to identify the most competitive and innovative Respondent(s) with expertise and experience in providing computer hardware, software, peripherals and related installation, maintenance and support services (“products and services”) described in this RFP so as to efficiently manage the overall product life cycle through the end of the contract.   
By issuing this RFP, Loudoun SBDC intends to ensure that costs of products and services remain low, while quality and service is delivered at a high level.

Overview

Loudoun SBDC has secured a total grant of $25,000 to accomplish this project, and anticipates spending approximately $16,000 on hardware/software/installation/data transfer and $9,000 on ongoing maintenance after installation is complete. 

Scope of Work

Below is a list of key initiatives Loudoun SBDC requires during the life of the contract(s) issuing from this RFP:

·         Server upgrade, including purchase, installation and complete file transfer and new user profile setup

·         Workstations/Laptop, including 3 staff computers, and either 1 resource computer, 1 laptop and 1 large monitor, or alternate configuration at the recommendation of winning respondent

·         All necessary software updates, virus protection, installation

·         Respondent is to recommend all hardware, software and related peripherals solutions

·         All related maintenance associated with the upgraded system

·         Respondent is to identify the period of the maintenance contract

Award Process

• All interested respondents may view existing Loudoun SBDC system on Monday, August 6, from 1 PM to 3 PM.  One additional date/time MAY be added, at the discretion of Loudoun SBDC.  Any additional dates/times will be posted on the  Loudoun SBDC website. 
• Proposals are due no later than Monday, August 20, at 5:00 PM EST, via email to CCampbell@LoudounSBDC.org to by delivery to Loudoun SBDC, 202 Church Street, Suite 100, Leesburg, VA  20175.

• Winning vendor will be notified on or about August 27, 2012.   
• Loudoun SBDC must receive finalized invoices for hardware/software/peripherals from winning vendor no more than 2 weeks and 4 days after selection/acceptance by vendor.
• Project should be completed with hardware installed and running no later than two (2) months after winning vendor accepts.

·         Any additional features or projects you wish to include within your proposal will be considered as part of the vendor selection process.   

Any questions should be emailed to CCampbell@LoudounSBDC.org.  

June 25, NxLeveL Biz Plan Class-Still Time to Join! MEC Leesburg, VA 6-9 PM

There is still time to join our Summer NxLeveL course, meeting Mondays, 6-9 PM, at Mason Enterprise Center (MEC) in Leesburg, VA. If you want to grow your established business or start a new company, this course is a must for you. It also positions you to enter our 2012 Loudoun SBDC Biz Plan Competition this Fall (if you are a new Loudoun biz up to 3 years old). Email the application (below) to rsuomi@Loudounsbdc.org or contact us at 703-430-7222.


We will schedule one make-up class for those who missed the first session. In our NxLeveL (TM) for Entrepreneurs offering, there are 9 weeks left of 10 week course. We have room for a few more students. A couple of testimonials: 

"Many thanks to Robin and her staff for being so helpful in the creation of a business plan for Leesburg Animal Park. We are now ready to go to the "Next Level" at the Park. Without this  guidance, I do not think I would have been able to put it all together. Another valuable aspect of the NxLevel classes is the friendly people you get to know. Everyone sharing their stories of dreams and struggles in their business is empowering. Thanks again and keep up the good work!"

Shirley R. Johnson

Director

________________

"NxLevel was an AMAZING experience for me!  The open forum allowed for very candid discussions and each student's willingness to help was so wonderful!  I have never witnessed anything like the spirit that dwells within an entrepreneur.  I have made lifelong friends I know I will keep in touch with. (I already do!)  Thank you to L-SBDC!"

Jill Harvey
ClearGear
Phone:  703-906-6851www.ClearGearBags.com 
__________________

NxLeveL (TM) - Are you ready?

• Are you prepared for growth?
• Are you ready for the 2012 Business Plan Competition?
• The 2011 First Place Local winner received $8K cash/services!

Learn everything you need to create or revise your Business/Marketing Plan.


We are combining this course with the Tilling the Soil of Opportunity NxLeveL coursework for those with rural-based businesses.

• 9 weeks left of 10-week course: Mondays, June 25th - Sept (holidays excluded)
• Classes are 6:00-9:00 p.m. at the Mason Enterprise Center:
• 202 Church Street SE, Leesburg, VA 20175

NOTE: a course application is required (form below).

Submit your application now for consideration to rsuomi@LoudounSBDC.org


Cost for this 30-hour course: $485, or roughly $16/hour without rebate or $9.50/hour with rebate. This fee covers instruction, textbook, workbook, guest lecturers and extensive peer networking. It is due from approved students prior to their first class. YES, THERE IS HOMEWORK!


*485 fee is non-refundable. You may, however, earn a $200 rebate if you:


(1) Complete and turn in your business plan within 1 month of the course ending

(2) Attend at least 8 classes, 6:00-9:00 p.m.

(3) Attend 2 free one-on-one Loudoun SBDC counseling sessions during the course


You should attend NxLeveL (TM) for Entrepreneurs if you:

• Are serious about starting or growing your business
• Want to learn tips firsthand from subject matter experts and local business leaders
• Want to learn how to identify opportunities, market your business, manage your financials
• Want to take solid practical information and create an action plan that will become the blueprint for your success. IF YOU DO THE HOMEWORK, you walk away with a finished business/marketing plan.
• Love the energy of working with other entrepreneurs in a supportive team environment

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER

In business, education is not a luxury - it is a necessity

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MORE TESTIMONIALS

"I thoroughly enjoyed the NxLeveL class presented by the Loudoun SBDC. Having started several other small businesses in the past, this proved to be an eye-opening experience that forces an entrepreneur to look at things from a different perspective.  I took several valuable ideas away from this class."    

Roy with Loudoun Handyman LLC 
www.loudounhandyman.com
Twitter:  @loudounhandyman

Twitter  @loudounhandyman   

______________



"NxLeveL class is a great way to meet different people in all kinds of businesses and in various stages.  The classes provide great information via reading and discussions not only from the instructor, but from fellow classmates.  I enjoyed the class because not only was I able to get different ideas and opinions, but it was a source of great support."

Havenwood Group, LLC
Agricultural Product Development  

NxLeveL Application for

June-September 2012 Class:

Please provide the information requested below in an email to the Center at rsuomi@loudounsbdc.org.

Answers may be concise.



Name:

Company Name:

Address:

Email:

Phone:



1. What type of business do you have/hope to start?



2. What product or services do you sell/plan for your business to offer?



3. Is there a need for this product or service? Explain.



4. How does your product or service differ from others in the same business?



5. What kind of person buys/is going to buy your product or service?



6. Have you done any market research yet? If so, what have you learned?



7. Approximately what do you/will you charge for your product/service? On what do you base the fees?



8. What do you anticipate your startup/expansion costs will be?



9. Do you think that starting this business will be easy or difficult? Why?



10. Do you have enough savings to start the business? If not, could you start on a smaller scale or do you think you will need business financing?



11. Do you plan to go into business full time? If so, do you have enough savings put aside to live on until the business becomes profitable?

Forming New Federal Contracting Peer to Peer Group, Starts July 12th

Peer to Peer Federal Contacting Program (Fed P2P)
Loudoun Small Business Development Center (Loudoun SBDC)

Researchers have identified peer-to-peer mentoring and coaching as a “best practice” because it has proven to be especially effective in aiding the successful growth and development of small businesses. The goal of the Fed P2P Program is to create jobs and sales within the overall category of federal contracting. 

We are in the process of forming our second Peer-to-Peer Federal Contracting Group.  Our first group graduated last year, and members of that group have started businesses and won contracts.  We will encourage those from Fed P2P Group 1 to join us and help mentor Group 2 when possible!  The group will be limited to no more than 16 members.

Target Participants: 

Individuals (or businesses) who:

·         Live in and/or base their business in Loudoun County

·         Are currently either federal contractors who want to take their business to the next level OR are well-positioned to enter the federal contracting arena

·         Participants are expected to have the time and appropriate resources to commit to making their business a success

Commitment:

·         Those accepted as participants must commit to attending the group meetings and to complete agreed-upon “homework” or “assignments” as set by the group as a whole. This level of commitment is critical to the Program’s success.

Format:

·         The Pilot Program is offered free of charge

·         The group will meet on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the three months of July-September (with a possible extension into October, as determined by the Loudoun SBDC with group input)

·         Each session will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the office of the Loudoun SBDC:

202 Church Street, Suite 100, Leesburg, VA  20175

·         To the extent possible, no direct competitors will participate in the same group

·         Only one person per company may participate in the group

·         All participants must maintain confidentiality 

·         A Loudoun SBDC facilitator will lead the group

·         At the initial session, participants will introduce themselves, and the group as a whole will establish its goals and the categories of speakers they would like to hear during the Program

·         Participants will form into teams for working on some projects

·         Each participant will present at least one time. The other participants will help by brainstorming solutions and best practices for any challenges addressed by the presenter.

The Loudoun SBDC is a member of the Virginia SBDC Network, a statewide service network funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA. Additional Loudoun SBDC funding sources include George Mason University-Mason Enterprise Center at the School of Public Policy, the County of Loudoun, Loudoun County Industrial Development Authority and Town of Leesburg.

Guerrilla Marketing in 30 Days -

To register for this session click here.

Meet Al Lautenslager:
Al Lautenslager is an award winning marketing/PR consultant, direct mail promotion specialist, author, speaker and entrepreneur. His businesses have helped hundreds succeed in their own businesses. He is the principal of a Market For Profits, a Chicago based marketing consulting firm and also the president and owner of a small business, The Ink Well, a commercial printing and mailing company in Wheaton, IL. Al recently appeared on radio, as a marketing expert to review Super Bowl commercials. He has also appeared on TV.
Al has started up businesses and closed them down. He has walked the walk of a guerrilla marketer. He is a multi-winner of business of the year awards from various organizations. His articles can be seen on over 20 online sites in addition to being a featured business coach for the online site of Entrepreneur Magazine, entrepreneur.com.  

A member of USA Today's small business panel, and a certified Guerrilla Marketing coach, Lautenslager is also a much-in-demand speaker on the subject of marketing. Recently, Fast Company Magazine announced that Lautenslager is a finalist for its annual Fast 50, "ordinary people doing extraordinary things" as "leaders, innovators and technology pioneers".

Al speaks to audiences wanting to learn more about building their businesses through low or no cost marketing tactics. Many in his audiences leave with strategies and tactics they can use the same day as they hear them.

His leadership has extended to his involvement into the community, is on the board of directors of five non-profit organizations, including two chambers of commerce.

Al’s most popular book, Guerrilla Marketing in 30 Days is co-authored with Jay Conrad Levinson, the father of Guerrilla Marketing.
Jay had this to say about Al: “Al Lautenslager is a true guerrilla marketer with a passion for marketing that is second to none. His strong desire and uncanny ability to share his knowledge and experiences results in others being successful.” It was this inspiration that joined the two together to develop, Guerrilla Marketing in 30 Days.
He can be contacted through his website,www.market-for-profits.com or email - al@market-for-profits.com.

Hear Guerrilla Marketing Co-Author May 23rd at GWU-Ashburn Campus, 6-8:30 PM, with Networking from 4:45-5:45

 

Distilled from the best-selling “marketing” book series in history (+14 million copies sold worldwide in 39 languages), Guerrilla Marketing in 30 Days encourages business professionals to stride toward sales growth through a 30-day marketing blueprint.

Al Lautenslager co-authored his most popular book, Guerrilla Marketing in 30 Days, with Jay Conrad Levinson, father of Guerrilla Marketing. Al is also an award-winning entrepreneur, speaker, the featured marketing/PR expert for the online version of Entrepreneur Magazine, a member of USA Today’s small business panel, and a certified Guerrilla Marketing Coach.

CELEBRATE SMALL BUSINESS WEEK! Cut a swath through the jungle of marketing madness. Learn what to do if you:

           Don’t have MORE customers than you can handle

           Can’t decide where to begin marketing

           Aren’t sure how to put the pieces together or stay motivated & focused

           Al will also discuss what to do if your advertising budget is nonexistent and how to get massive PR without an agency

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

4:45 – 5:45 p.m.     Networking with Light Refreshments;

                                   Small Business Assistance Group Exhibit Tables

6:00 – 8:30 p.m.     Presentation

The George Washington University Virginia Science & Technology Campus

20101 Academic Way (Exploration Hall, Main Atrium and Room 101)

Ashburn, VA 20147

Fee:  $25 for online registration; if space is available, $50 at the door. Networking hour is limited to registrants.

Register at  http://guerrillamktgin30days52312-eorg.eventbrite.com/
 

Registration questions: 703.430.7222

Business, Professional, and Technical Services that should consider Exporting

The following is a list of Business, Professional, and Technical Service providers that currently export:

• Management, Consulting, and Public Relations Services
• Film and Television Tape Rentals
• Research and Development and Testing Services
• Computer and Information Services- Computer Data and Processing Services
• Computer and Information Services- Database and other Information Services
• Installation, Maintenance, and Repair of Equipment
• Telecommunications
• Legal Services
• Architectural, Engineering, other Technical Services
• Industrial Engineering
• Mining Services
• Advertising
• Medical Services

Is your company looking into expanding their potential market and including international trade in it's business expansion? Then you need to come to our upcoming Basics of International Trade Seminar to learn more!

Thursday, March 29, 2012 from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM (ET)

Leesburg, VA

Event management for Basics of International Trade - March 29, 2012 powered by Eventbrite

Who is our upcoming exporting seminar for?

Interested in selling a product or service in the international market. According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis the following are the top 10 US Service Exports:

1. Business, Professional, and Technical Services
2. Travel
3. Royalties and Licensing Fees
4. Financial Services
5. Transportation
6. Passenger Fares
7. Education
8. Operational leasing
9. Insurance Services
10. Trade-Related Services

Sign up for our upcoming Basics of International Trade Seminar to learn more!

Thursday, March 29, 2012 from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM (ET)

Leesburg, VA

Event Registration Online for Basics of International Trade - March 29, 2012 powered by Eventbrite

Loudoun SBDC - Loudoun Lemonhead Council Application

Loudoun Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
Loudoun Lemonhead Council Application

LINK TO ONLINE APPLICATION: http://lemonheadsrule.com/apply

Loudoun SBDC is working with The Lemonhead Movement to inspire and counsel entrepreneurs in Loudoun County! How can you become involved?

On February 9, 2012, from 2 PM to 5 PM, two pre-selected companies will have an opportunity to engage in 1-hour presentation/feedback session with the Loudoun Lemonhead Council. The council is made up of successful entrepreneurs and corporate leaders in Loudoun County. Each pre-selected company will have 30 minutes to make its presentation and present its business challenge and 30 minutes for feedback from the Loudoun Lemonhead Council. It is anticipated that Lemonhead Graduates will subsequently be invited on a periodic basis to network with other graduates and Loudoun Lemonhead Council members.

To qualify:

• 
  
  
  Company must be in Loudoun County.




• 
  
  
  Get it Going category: small business from concept up to 1 year in operation.




• 
  
  
  Get it Growing category: small business in operation longer than 1 year.




• 
  
  
  All companies selected will become clients of Loudoun SBDC

Below is the application template, FYI. We ask that you apply online. Read more.

If you choose to email this in (which we do NOT recommend), put “LEMONHEAD COUNCIL” in the subject line of your email, and email the application to CCampbell@Loudounsbdc.org. Applications will be submitted to a committee, which wil select two companies to make presentations. Applications must be received by COB February 2, 2012.

Company name: __________________________________________________

Year (month/date) founded: ________________________________________

Company founder(s):_________________________________________________

Key management: _________________________________________________
_______________________________­­­­­____________________________________

Describe your product or service: ________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________
What problem does your product/service solve? ____________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Describe your marketplace and competition: _______________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
What is your marketing and sales approach (channels, team, online, retail, whole, etc.)
_________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

What are you seeking advice from The Lemonhead Council about? ________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

Describe your funding to date: ___________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

What was your gross revenue level last year: ________<$500K ________$500K-$1M

_________$1M - $5M ________>$5M

Email address: _________________________________________

Phone number: _________________________________________

Business Address: _____________________________________________________________________________________________