Are you ready to sell to the federal, state, and local government? Don’t miss this dynamic, interactive workshop hosted by Idaho SBDC and the South Central Idaho Hispanic Chamber of Commerce designed to help small business owners unlock the first steps to winning government contracts.

Join Mary Thompson from Idaho APEX and Irene Gonzalez from the Small Business Administration to gain invaluable knowledge on key topics for success in government contracting.

• Identifying Your NAICS Code: Learn how to identify your North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code to position your business accurately in the market.

• SAM Registration: Discover the steps to register in the System for Award Management (SAM) Database, a critical move for becoming a federal contractor.

• SBA Profile Optimization: Understand the Dynamic Small Business Search (DSBS) Database and how to optimize your SBA Profile to increase visibility.

• SBA Certifications: Determine if your firm qualifies for any SBA Certifications, unlocking additional opportunities.

• Resources: Explore methods to identify Federal Procurement opportunities and leverage other Federal Resources to support your business growth.

• Contract Marketing: Finally, gain insights on effectively marketing to the Federal Government and its agencies, ensuring your firm stands out.

• Dinner Included with Registration!

Don't miss this chance to network some delicious food while equipping yourself with the tools to navigate the federal contracting landscape.

Meet Your Trainers

Mary Thompson

Idaho APEX Business Consultant

Mary grew up in rural southern Idaho, where her journey commenced at the College of Southern Idaho driven by an interest in psychology. Eventually she transferred to the University of Idaho in 2016 where she pursued a dual degree in Political Science and Psychology, laying the groundwork for her future endeavors.

Post-graduation Mary found her passion for Small Business Advocacy working as a policy assistant for a non-profit organization, championing a more equitable tax code for small businesses. In this role she became well versed in data collection and analysis. Her research has been used in articles as supporting evidence. Following her role as a policy assistant Mary changed gears and became the program director for Rural Economic Development Services (REDS) where her passion for direct small business support blossomed. In this capacity, she spearheaded initiatives that fueled economic and community development in many underserved rural communities. Many of these initiatives left a positive impact on the landscape of small business development.

All her experiences led her to becoming a Business Consultant with the Idaho Apex Accelerator Program where she aspires to guide businesses to success in the world of government contracting.

Irene Gonzalez

Small Business Administration Business Opportunity Specialist

Irene Gonzalez has worked for the U.S. Small Business Administration for 32 years and has held a variety of positions in her tenure. Currently, she over sees the district’s federal contracting program for disadvantaged individuals. She interfaces with federal, state and local governments to assist and support contracting opportunities for the 8(a) Program. She meets with businesses wanting to explore and do business with the federal government, subcontract to large prime contractors and learn about small business certifications.

Prior to returning to this position after 18 years in the program, she held the position of economic development specialist for ten years, providing support to stakeholders, communities and businesses. She collaborated with community organizations, city, state and federal departments to bridge connection, expand economic development, and connect resources to entrepreneurs. Her role within the SBA allows her to provide training and guidance for start-up and existing businesses. Irene’s community involvement is vast; she serves as the Boise District Office Native American Representative and collaborates with various Hispanic and community organizations.