Colleges and universities across Virginia purchase millions of dollars in goods and services each year. Is your business reaping the benefit?



The Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity (SBSD), in partnership with Radford University and Virginia Tech, invites you to join Big Opportunities, Bold Partnerships, a free virtual workshop series designed to help small businesses better understand and access procurement opportunities within Virginia's higher education community.

From navigating procurement systems to responding to bids and proposals, this six-part series will provide practical guidance to help you compete more effectively for college and university contracts. The series will conclude with an in-person Meet the Buyers event, giving participants the opportunity to connect directly with purchasing professionals from colleges and universities across the Commonwealth.

The Complete Series

• Session 1: Opening Doors
  June 23, 2026 | 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
  Learn how Virginia's procurement system works, explore the eVA portal, and discover how SWaM certification can help position your business for contracting opportunities.
  
• Session 2: Behind the Buy
  July 15, 2026 | 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
  Hear directly from procurement professionals at Virginia Tech and Radford University as they explain what they buy, how they buy it, and how vendors can build productive relationships with university buyers.

• Session 3: Where to Look, What to Know
  August 11, 2026 | 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
  Discover where colleges and universities post opportunities, how to track them effectively, and how to identify contracts that align with your products or services.

• Session 4: One System. Many Campuses.
  August 25, 2026 | 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
  Explore contracting opportunities within the Virginia Community College System and learn how one purchasing network supports 23 campuses across the Commonwealth.

• Session 5: Make Your Mark
  September 15, 2026 | 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
  Learn how to market your business to higher education buyers through strong capabilities statements, compelling vendor profiles, and effective relationship-building strategies.

• Session 6: Quotes, Bids & Proposals
  October 13, 2026 | 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
  Demystify procurement terminology and gain practical guidance on responding to Quick Quotes, IFBs, RFPs, and other common solicitation types.

Whether you're new to government and institutional contracting or looking to expand your customer base, this series will provide valuable insights, practical tools, and meaningful connections to help your business grow.

We hope you'll join us for this unique opportunity to learn, prepare, and position your business for success in Virginia's higher education marketplace.

Registration is free, but space is limited!