Letter to Robert Wimple, USAF (Retired), Director, Legislative Affairs, Defense Logistics Agency

Letter

Today, Representative Kathy Hochul (NY-26) sent a letter to the Defense Logistics Agency in support of the Buffalo Niagara International Trade Foundation's (BNITF) proposal to establish a program designed to help regional businesses compete for government contracts. The funding would be used to establish the Niagara Procurement Technical Assistance Center (Niagara PTAC), which would enable BNITF to offer programmatic development, workshops, seminars, one-on-one counseling, extensive curriculum development, outreach efforts, and business visits for area companies.

In the letter, Rep. Hochul writes: "The establishment of the Niagara PTAC will provide necessary resources for businesses to grow and compete, not only nationally, but on a global level. The Buffalo Niagara Region is poised for future growth and the Niagara PTAC has potential to maximize federal contract awards by mentoring qualified contractors in government procurement, while enhancing small business competitiveness and positively impacting economic development."

"For years, the Buffalo Niagara International Trade Foundation has helped build the regional economy by assisting our small to medium firms in getting into the export business, especially in Canada. I applaud Congresswoman Hochul's vision for recruiting the Foundation to help with another key to economic growth: making sure our Buffalo-Niagara firms are able to compete successfully for defense contracts," Niagara Falls Mayor Paul Dyster said. "In Niagara Falls, we have worked hard to restructure our economy following the collapse of heavy industry. Initiatives like this ensure that innovative new companies that are creating or preserving jobs and stimulating investment have the training and support they need to be successful in the long term."

"The Small Business Development Center feels that procurement is a key opportunity that most small business owners don't take advantage of. This is especially true for woman and minority run organizations. The SBDC supports efforts that make these markets more accessible," said Lynn Oswald, Director of the Small Business Development Center at Niagara County Community College.

Over the past three years, BNITF has assisted local companies in securing $38.7 million in new export sales and helped create or retain over 200 jobs.

A copy of Rep. Hochul's letter can be found below.

Robert Wimple, USAF (Retired)
Director, Legislative Affairs
Defense Logistics Agency
Department of Defense
8725 John J. Kingman Road
Fort Belvoir, V A 22060-6221

Dear Director Wimple,

I am pleased to write in support of the proposal submitted by the Buffalo Niagara International Trade Foundation (BNITF) to the Defense Logistics Agency for funding from the Procurement Technical Assistance Program (PTAP), Funding will allow BMTF to establish the Niagara Procurement Technical Assistance Center (Niagara PTAC) in the Buffalo Niagara Region.

The Buffalo Niagara Region recently has made great advancements in economic restructuring, but many challenges lay ahead. The establishment of the Niagara PTAC will provide necessary resources for businesses to grow and compete, not only nationally, but on a global level. The Buffalo Niagara Region is poised for future growth and the Niagara PTAC has potential to maximize federal contract awards by mentoring qualif,red contractors in govemment procurement, while enhancing small business competitiveness and positively impacting economic development in the form of retained and created jobs, while bringing new revenue into the region.

BNITF specializes in funding and facílitating delivery of export-focused training, educational programs, and international trade services that result in companies establishing or expanding into new markets. Over the past three years, BMTF has assisted local companies in securing $38.7 million in new export sales and helped create or retain over 200 jobs. Funding from PTAP will enable BNITF to offer programmatic development, workshops, seminars, one-on-one counseling, extensive curriculum development, outreach efforts and business visits for area companies. BMTF is willing to match every dollar in federal support from DLA, up to $200,000, per year.

Once again, I am pleased to support the application submitted by the Buffalo Niagara International Trade Foundation to the Defense Logistics Agency for funding from the Procurement Technical Assistance Program. I hope you will give their application full and fair consideration and respectfully await your decision. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact my
office.

Sincerely,

Kathy C. Hochul
Member of Congress

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