Governor Announces New Collaboration Feature in Online Purchasing System
On Dec. 9, 2015, Governor Terry McAuliffe announced the launch of a free business-to-business (B2B) collaboration feature for eVA, Virginia’s electronic procurement system. eVA’s new B2B Connect is intended to make it easier for businesses to find partners and establish relationships when competing for government contracts.
eVA’s B2B Connect feature is an online, publicly accessible message board that enables businesses seeking to collaborate on a specific Virginia contract the ability to post their willingness to partner on that opportunity. It is hoped that this feature will be particularly beneficial for Small, Women-owned and Minority-owned (SWaM) businesses, which often partner with larger companies to compete for state contracts.
“Increasing small business participation in government contracting is critical to establishing a new Virginia economy. As federal dollars continue to disappear, it is our small businesses that we will rely on more than ever to keep Virginia’s economy strong,” said Governor Terry McAuliffe. “Any time we can remove hurdles for our existing businesses to grow and thrive, we’re putting the Commonwealth in a better position to compete on a national and global scale.”
The B2B Connect feature is accessible on all solicitations published on eVA’s public Virginia Business Opportunities (VBO) page. eVA registration is not required to view and/or use B2B Connect.
B2B Connect also is available on eVA’s award-winning mobile app, eVA Mobile 4 Business. Last year, eVA’s mobile apps won the George Cronin Award for the nation’s top prize for innovative state procurement programs.
eVA is run by the Department of General Services’ Division of Purchases & Supply. For more information on B2BConnect or eVA, visit www.eva.virginia.gov.