GACO RECEIVES FEDERAL GRANT

Contact:
Tracy Julian
724-938-5881
julian@calu.edu

Posted on August 23, 2010

The Government Agency Coordination Office (GACO) has been awarded a grant of $149,515 from the Defense Logistics Agency of Fort Belvoir, Va. 

The federal grant will support GACO's efforts to provide contracting assistance services to regional businesses through Aug. 31, 2011.

Sponsored by California University, GACO is a Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) that helps businesses throughout western Pennsylvania to pursue federal, state and local government contracts and subcontracts.

The main GACO office is on the Cal U campus with satellite offices in Pittsburgh and at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania. All three offices help businesses sell their products or services to the government.

GACO hosts seminars throughout the year that provide education and training in government contracts. Additionally, businesses can attend GACO's annual Procurement Fair to make contact with representatives from federal, state and local agencies and large corporations that are seeking additional vendors and suppliers.

"Our GACO contracting assistance program has been ongoing since 1985, and the Defense Logistics Agency has been a valuable partner in our economic revitalization efforts," said Cal U President Angelo Armenti, Jr.  "The agency's support enables GACO to assist companies in all aspects of government contract procurement. We are very pleased that the DLA has once again provided funding for our program."

According to Deborah Wojcik, GACO director, the GACO three offices are providing contracting assistance services to 1,643 businesses in western Pennsylvania. These businesses have reported receiving more than 30,079 contracts and subcontracts totaling nearly $2.35 billion since 1985.