Explore the Possibilities: Supplier Benefits of the SMDI Program

Supplier participation in the SMDI Program is absolutely free. Qualified suppliers must meet these requirements:

• Facility or plant location in Pennsylvania
• Produce prototyped parts routinely required by the U.S. Army: metal fabrication (brackets, mounts, covers), plastic milling, plastic molding, plastic injection and wire harnesses (cable assemblies)
• No more than 500 employees at the production plant location

The SMDI Team is seeking not only qualified Department of Defense (DoD) suppliers, but the near qualified. Previously established DoD suppliers have the opportunity to expand their portfolio of contracting work. Suppliers that are new to DoD contracting have a valuable opportunity of developing relationships with defense agency buyers while building a portfolio of federal contracting work.

the U.S. Army uses a prime contractor to issue purchase orders and make vendor payments, thus easing the administrative burden that is typical with DoD purchasing.

Technical Assistance is Available
The SMDI Program offers not only the opportunity for near-qualified suppliers to develop new customer relationships, but also technical assistance in defense contracting. The SMDI Program strives to enhance supplier capabilities through technical assistance in the form of:

• Business process support: cost accounting for quote preparation, regulatory compliance
• Technical support: electronic drawing viewer, technical data package and military standards guidance

There is an array of regulatory, statutory and contractual requirements involved with the defense market, which often discourages participation by small companies. The SMDI Team has retained a public accounting firm to provide technical assistance to these companies in the area of general ledger accounting, specifically cost accounting, as it relates to cost basis contracting. This includes professional general ledger accounting assistance, at no cost to the recipient, and the ownership of a Quick Books license.

To be eligible for technical assistance, suppliers must:

• Be a Pennsylvania small manufacturer, with less than 25 employees and less than $3 million in revenue for 2007
• Produce parts that are commonly required by the U.S. Army: metal fabrication, plastic milling, plastic molding, plastic injection and wire harnesses
• Recipient must participate in at least one the U.S. Army’s procurement assignments (offer a quote in response to a request for quote) and provide feedback on their experience

Supplier Application Form


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