Procurement Mercer - Session 3

The Procurement Readiness & Empowerment Program (PREP) is a structured four-week training and technical assistance initiative designed to help small businesses successfully compete for and win Mercer County government contracts. Delivered through a combination of in-person and virtual sessions, PREP equips entrepreneurs with the certifications, tools, and confidence needed to navigate the public procurement process.

SESSION 1 Thursday, May 7, 2026 Location: The College of New Jersey- School of Business

IN PERSON Getting Certified & Standing Out • Minority Business Certifications • Mercer County Set Aside Program • How to write a powerful Capability Statement • Understanding Set-Aside programs and how to leverage them • Accessing Funds to Train New and Incumbent Workers

SESSION 2 (Online) Thursday, May 14, 2026

VIRTUAL Mastering the RFP Response Process • Understanding government solicitations: RFP, RFQ, RFB, and IFB • Anatomy of a solicitation: requirements and evaluation criteria • Identifying mandatory vs. scored elements • Key proposal sections: technical approach, pricing, and qualifications • Compliance checklist: what must be included to qualify

SESSION 3 (online) Thursday, May 21, 2026

VIRTUAL Decoding a Mercer County Bid • Live case study: walking through an actual Mercer County solicitation • Mercer County's specific submission requirements and required forms • Breaking down each section of the bid document • Understanding where certifications and capability statements fit • Insurance, bonding, and financial documentation requirements • Understanding addenda and how to incorporate changes • Best practices

SESSION 4 Thursday, May 28, 2026 Location: The Mercer County Boathouse

IN PERSON Navigating Mercer County Procurement • How to register as an official Mercer County vendor • Overview of Mercer County's full procurement process • Submission logistics, timelines, and deadlines • Common mistakes that delay or disqualify applications • Final Q&A, resource sharing, and next steps

WHO SHOULD APPLY

PREP is designed for small business owners and entrepreneurs who: • Are interested in doing business with Mercer County government agencies • Want to obtain or better leverage minority, women-owned, or federal business certifications • Have limited experience navigating government RFPs and bid processes • Are ready to invest 4 weeks building a competitive edge in public procurement

Questions? contact us at (609) 771-2947