Nation’s First Technical Assistance Center Helps Illinois Companies Create New Jobs and Attract Investment in Growing Homeland Security Market
CHICAGO – Continuing to meet his commitment to make Illinois the nation's homeland security market leader, Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich today announced more than $103,000 in funding for the continued operation of the Homeland Security Procurement Technical Assistance Center (HSPTAC) at the College of DuPage. The Center helps Illinois homeland security companies successfully compete for billions in government contracts that will expand our economy and provide our nation with vital homeland security products and services. The funding to support the Center’s second year is being provided by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s (DCEO) Innovative Product Grant (IPG) Program, administered by the Homeland Security Market Development (HSMD) Bureau. IPG is the nation’s first state-funded grant program for private sector, homeland security product commercialization. The program also supports educational institutions and not-for-profit organizations engaged in pilot projects or development of sector-focused information clearinghouses.
“We are committed to assisting Illinois companies in becoming top competitors in the homeland security industry by showing them how to service the needs of both business and government. The Homeland Security Procurement Technical Assistance Center has been and will continue to be a very valuable resource for helping these companies grow, which means a safer country and more Illinois jobs," Gov. Blagojevich said.
Gov. Blagojevich invested $80,000 to launch the program last year. In its first year of operation, HSPTAC helped 96 Illinois businesses secure more than $3 million in homeland security contracts by providing specialized business development related to homeland security products and services. HSPTAC supports and supplements HSMD’s activities and goals by helping companies disseminate procurement opportunities at federal, state and local levels in preparation for conducting business in the public sector. As the only industry specific Center in the state, HSPTAC extends Illinois' capacity to conduct business in the emerging homeland security sector by serving as a central source for the latest information in contracting for the 12 other regional Centers that make that make up the Illinois Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) Network.
Examples of companies who have benefited from the work with the HSPTAC include:
1st Army Supply (Lombard), a leading supplier of high-grade military and army surplus items, was one of the first clients in the new HSPTAC program when it opened its doors in August 2005. Through its work with the HSPTAC, 1st Army Supply received direct assistance in crafting a winning procurement proposal to the federal government and was assisted by the HSPTAC’s customized computerized bid matching service. It has reported more than $13,000 in contracts as a result of working with the HSPTAC program. (Contact: Michael Bafundo, President at 630/916.7380)
Phototek (Elmhurst), a leading small business supplier of identification equipment and accessories, began working with the HSPTAC in 2005. Through its work with the HSPTAC, Phototek was able to find new business opportunities, use HSPTAC's customized computerized bid matching, create a winning proposal to the federal government and receive post-contract administration assistance. It now has more than $110,000 in contracts. (Contact: Rich Rosenberg, President and CEO at 630/530.8000)
Thor Defense (Downers Grove), a purveyor of tactical and duty equipment for the military, began working with the HSPTAC in 2005. As a result of its work with the HSPTAC, Thor Defense was able to identify new opportunities through the customized bid matching service, identify small business specialists to build business relationships with, and create a winning proposal to the federal government worth more than $250,000. (Contact: Swen Swenson, President at 630/541.5106)
“Public sector homeland security contracts are worth an estimated total of $29 billion globally, with a $15.4 billion annual market in the U.S. and $13.8 billion internationally. Our goal is to expand the accessibility of Illinois-based suppliers at all levels of government and provide Illinois-based solutions that protect our nation and contribute to our state’s economic vitality,” said HSPTAC Director Rita Haake.
“College of DuPage is proud to partner with Gov. Blagojevich and sustain the Center’s continued operations. We want to thank him for his vote of confidence as we support his ongoing efforts to expand the homeland security industry in Illinois,” said Joyce Abel, Executive Director of Business, Professional and Continuing Education at the College of DuPage.
“The Homeland Security Procurement Technical Assistance Center plays an integral role in helping Illinois companies bring homeland security contracting dollars to Illinois by showing them how to develop the knowledge and relationships with key industry contractors. As the homeland security industry continues to evolve, Gov. Blagojevich and I are committed to helping Illinois entrepreneurs and small to mid-size companies find more successful opportunities to grow their business and create new jobs,” DCEO Director Jack Lavin said.
HSMD is focused on supporting businesses engaged in the homeland security industry with investment tools designed to help existing Illinois companies expand operations and utilize available state and federal programs, services and procurement opportunities relevant to homeland security. HSMD has established technical, educational and research partnerships with Illinois colleges and universities, and partnered to create the nation’s most extensive business mutual aid system. HSMD has conducted a series of homeland security market forums across Illinois that have provided an important venue to nurture various industries, including food safety and security, information technology and electronic communications, advanced manufacturing, biotechnology and public health. For more information on HSMD and IPG, visit www.hsmd.illinois.gov.
HSPTAC was established in 2005 specifically to help Illinois businesses compete for public sector homeland security contracts. HSPTAC is focused on keeping track of the issues and trends in the rapidly changing homeland security industry by staging matchmaking events throughout Illinois to give businesses interested in the homeland security market an in-depth educational guide to federal, state and local government procurement opportunities available in the $45 billion homeland security industry. To date, more than 300 entrepreneurs and small businesses have sought practical guidance from government procurement officers and learned how to do business with the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the US General Services Administration at HSPTAC events held across the state. The forums also provide attendees with an overview of DHS contracting agencies and their functions, in-depth market analysis, tips on navigating procurement Web sites, writing successful proposals and information gathering and techniques. For more information on HSPTAC and future matchmaking events, visit www.cod.edu/BPI/hsptac.htm.
Illinois led the nation in monthly job growth this year in both April and July, which has never happened twice before in one year in recorded history. The total number of new jobs created this year is nearly 75,000, which is the best start to a year since 1999. Since January 2004, Illinois has gained almost 150,000 new jobs.
The November Illinois unemployment rate is 4.1 percent, which is its lowest level in recorded history. It has been below the national rate for five months this year, which is the first time this has happened since 1997. The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Illinois Department of Employment Security compiled these statistics.
Site Selection Magazine also ranked the Chicagoland area the top metro region for new and expanded corporate facilities in 2005, while Illinois was ranked third in the nation. Business Facilities Magazine named Illinois the top state for biotech growth last year.