New date for Session 3 in Bethesda: Thursday, February 18.
VIP [Bethesda, MD] Dates: January 14, January 28, February 18, February 25, March 11 and March 25 Time: 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM Location: The Clark Building
7500 Old Georgetown Road, 16th Floor
Bethesda, MD 20814
VIP [Frederick, MD] Dates: January 19, February 2, February 16, March 2, March 16 and March 30 Time: 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM Location: Fairchild Controls
540 Highland Street
Frederick, MD 21701
The Montgomery County Chamber Community Foundation (MCCCF), in conjunction with the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce (MCCC) and the MCCC GovConNet program, launched the Veteran Institute for Procurement (VIP), an educational training program for veteran business owners, principals and C-level executives in September 2009. The VIP is a 6-session comprehensive certification program instructed by professional service experts and designed for veteran businesses to increase their ability to win government contracts by establishing best business practices. Thirty-two Veteran-owned businesses graduated from VIP in November 2009. Based on its success, VIP sessions are now being offered in two locations: Bethesda and Frederick. The MCCCF in conjunction with Congressman Roscoe Bartlett will host the VIP session in Frederick, Maryland.
The VIP classes are offered twice a month to one executive from each of the enrolled veteran-owned businesses. Class size is limited to 35-40 individuals. Funded entirely by Montgomery County Chamber Community Foundation and VIP sponsors, the program is at no cost to participants. VIP enrollment is not limited to Montgomery County businesses. Eligible applicants 1) must be a veteran business owner, principal or C-level executive for a veteran-business owned company 2) be in business for at least 2 years with a minimum of 3-4 full time employees; 3) have experience working on government contracts as a prime and/or sub-contractor to a prime; and 4) have 2009 annual revenues less than $25 million. VIP is for veteran business executives across the metro region with interest in best business practices in these areas:
• Business Structures
• Contracting/Teaming Agreements
• Human Resources
• Compliance and Systems Approvals
• Risk Management
• Insurance and Bonding
• Internal Controls
• Accounting/Budgets/Developing Rates
• Marketing and Proposals
• Certifications
"Our veterans deserve a fair chance and this is right on target."
-Major James Dula
Retired USAF
Vietnam Vet/30-years active duty
"Thanks for the experience. The VIP program was great. As I stated before, The VIP class was the best, most comprehensive and relevant training that I have attended in my eighteen (18) years in business. All of our instructors were practitioners and experts in their fields. Your entire team is to be commended for a job well done."
-Gene Hubbard Hub Consulting Group, Inc. (HUBCO)
"Wow!! What a rush! The VIP was excellent! I enjoyed each session, because they were extremely informative. As a new VOSB, you have provided a path through the very challenging maze of federal procurement. After each session, I had a clear understanding of the necessary activities that I needed to undertake in order to advance to the next level in the overwhelming process of federal procurement."