From repairing government vehicles and pest control in state buildings, to providing clothing for inmates, Arizona uses contracts to cover the services and materials required to keep state agencies running.
Right now, the state Department of Administration is trying to get more in-state small businesses involved. To help, it recently rolled out new tools to help small businesses register to compete for state contracts.
State Procurement Administrator David Steuber said the goal is to get more small businesses checking the Arizona Procurement Portal to get plugged into regional opportunities and resources that fit them best.
“The service needs and the good needs go from needing a pencil to being able to purchase aviation equipment,” said Steuber. “And so really it’s expansive in terms of the business and the offerings that the state provides to Arizonans.”
Steuber said that the agency’s focus is especially set on making sure local municipalities are getting what they need out of these deals.
“It's important that they can navigate what opportunities are there and understand how government contracting works,” said Steuber.
He emphasized that state contracts can run the gambit.
“While there's not preference laws within our procurement code, we do focus on making sure the needs of the state can be met within the timeframes,” said Steuber. “And oftentimes local businesses are better suited to meet those needs.”
The agency’s initial goal, Steuber noted, was to raise registration in the portal by 10% within the next four years — but they’ve already seen a 7% increase.
