Procurement Contracting Institute

The Procurement Contracting Institute (PCI)—administered by the Hampton Roads Small Business Development Center (HRSBDC) in collaboration with local economic development offices—is a comprehensive training program aimed at helping small businesses successfully compete for government contracts at federal, state, and local levels. This in-person, multi-week seminar guides participants through the full contract lifecycle: identifying bidding opportunities, understanding procurement regulations, developing compliant proposals, and managing contracts post-award. Tailored support is provided for minority- and women-owned businesses, with expert-led instruction and peer-based learning to build bidding confidence and operational capacity

Beyond classroom instruction, the Institute connects businesses with one-on-one advising from HRSBDC Advisors and links to regional procurement resources like the Virginia APEX Accelerator network and local procurement division representatives. The program is offered at no cost and typically runs over six to eight weeks. Participants leave with clear strategies for marketing their services to government agencies, completing mandatory certifications, and navigating post-award contract management—all essential for leveraging government-sector opportunities as a growth strategy.