Small and medium-sized businesses in Elizabeth will get a practical briefing on how to pursue government work later this month when a free workshop focused on contracting readiness is held at the city’s Newark Liberty International Airport community outreach office.
Who, when and where
The “Preparing for Government Contracting Opportunities” workshop is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 27, from 10:30 a.m. to noon. It will take place at the Elizabeth Community Outreach Office, 79 W. Jersey St., and is being presented through the Newark Liberty International Airport EWR Redevelopment Community Outreach Offices in Newark and Elizabeth.
The session is organized in partnership with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and UCEDC, a New Jersey statewide Community Development Financial Institution. Organizers say the event is part of a broader workshop series offered through the airport outreach offices in both Elizabeth and Newark.
What businesses will learn
Organizers describe the workshop as a hands-on session intended to help firms evaluate their readiness and identify steps to position themselves competitively for contracting work with federal, state and local governments.
“The hands-on session is designed to help businesses assess their readiness and identify steps they can take to position themselves for success in government contracting.”
Topics that will be covered include:
- Business readiness — assessing capacity, staffing and operational systems;
- Eligibility and registrations — guidance on required registrations such as SAM (System for Award Management) and other credentials;
- Market research — finding procurement opportunities and understanding agency needs;
- Financial considerations — cash flow, bonding and financing issues relevant to contract performance;
- Other key contracting requirements that typically influence bid success.
Why this matters to Elizabeth
Government contracting can provide steady revenue streams and growth pathways for local firms, but many small businesses do not pursue bids because the procurement process is perceived as complex and resource-intensive. By bringing instruction and technical assistance to the Elizabeth outreach office, the Port Authority and UCEDC aim to lower barriers to entry for businesses in the city and surrounding communities.
For firms based in Elizabeth, proximity to Newark Liberty International Airport — a major regional economic engine — can create direct and indirect contracting opportunities tied to airport operations, redevelopment projects and related services. The outreach offices were established in part to connect local residents and businesses to career and contracting opportunities generated by airport-related development.
Event format and how to participate
The workshop is being offered as an in-person session. Organizers have presented other business workshops through the community outreach offices in both Elizabeth and Newark; this session continues that series with a specific emphasis on procurement readiness.
| What | When | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Preparing for Government Contracting Opportunities workshop | Thursday, Aug. 27, 10:30 a.m. – noon | Elizabeth Community Outreach Office, 79 W. Jersey St., Elizabeth |
Business owners interested in attending should note the date and arrive prepared with questions about their specific capabilities and needs. Because the session is intended to be hands-on, organizers typically encourage participants to bring basic business documents or materials that relate to their current operations and financial structure.
As procurement opportunities often require precise registrations and certifications, the workshop may be especially useful for firms that have not yet completed registrations such as SAM or those seeking information on bonding, financing or subcontracting to meet contract requirements.
Local officials and economic development partners have emphasized that connecting Elizabeth businesses to procurement resources is a priority as the city and region pursue redevelopment projects tied to airport expansion and broader infrastructure investments.
For more information about this session and about other programs offered through the Newark Liberty International Airport community outreach offices, interested businesses can contact the Elizabeth Community Outreach Office at the address listed above or consult outreach materials provided by the Port Authority and UCEDC.
