Government reseller seeks small-business partners

CDW Government Inc., a subsidiary of Vernon Hills, Ill.-based CDW Corp., is looking to add companies to a consortium it set up last year to help small businesses win government contracts.

CDW-W issued a request for proposal seeking woman- or veteran-owned companies, certified small and disadvantaged firms, and companies located in a federal Historically Underutilized Business Zones to partner on federal business opportunities, the company said. Businesses can find the RFP at www.cdwg.com/smallbizrfp.

According to CDW-G, 12 small and disadvantaged companies have participated in its Small Business Consortium, which the company began last July.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was the first to buy technology and services through the consortium. The agency has done about $350,000 worth of business with CDW-G's partners.

"In establishing this consortium last summer, our strategy was right on target," said Jim Shanks, president of CDW-G. "We have been able to help federal agencies fulfill their goals for awarding set-aside contracts, and at the same time have found it profitable to work with small firms that need a larger company's resources to strengthen their presence in the federal market. It's been a win-win-win program for us, the [small businesses] and the federal government."

CDW-G officials said the company intends to award partnership agreements under five lots described in the RFP. Small-business partners may then issue purchase orders to CDW-G for government projects generated by either the small-business partner or CDW-G.

Responses are due April 12.