MARKETPLACE '99 -- PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR SMALL BUSINESSES North Carolina will again hold its statewide procurement conference. Marketplace '99 will be held on Monday, 24 May 1999 at the Sheraton Imperial in the Research Triangle Park (RTP), North Carolina. This small business contracting day, sponsored by Representatives Bob Etheridge and David Price, is designed to bring small business sellers together with buyers from governement agencies as well as large prime contractors. Buyers will be discussing subcontractor opportunities they offer. Representatives from many of the attending agencies will bring simplified acquistion requirements for small business attendees to submit quotes. Contract awards will be made and announced during the conference. Exhibit booths are available for government agencies and large prime contractors. Existing and potential small business suppliers can register to visit exhibitor booths and attend seminars. Seminar subjects include selling to the government, electronic commerce/electronic data interchange (EC/EDI), government contracting opportunities, contract payments, CCR, and PRONET. Lunch will be provided as a part of the registration fee. This major event is in cooperation with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Contract Management Association (NCMA), the Small Business Administration (SBA), and the North Carolina Small Business & Technology Development Center/Procurement Technical Assistance Center (SBTDC/PTAC). Please contact the SBTDC/PTAC at 919/715-7272 with questions regarding Marketplace '99. WEB: Marketplace '99, http://www.sbtdc.org/MP99.htm. Posted 04/19/99 (W-SN321646).

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