Big Opportunities, Bold Partnerships. is a collaborative initiative between Radford University, Virginia Tech, and the Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity (SBSD), designed to help small businesses better understand and access procurement opportunities in higher education. The initiative consists of a six-part virtual workshop series, running from September 2025 through March 2026 and will provide vendors with practical guidance on navigating Virginia’s eVA procurement system, connecting with buyers, uncovering contracting opportunities, marketing effectively, and responding to bids and proposals. The series will culminate in April 2026 with an in-person Meet the Buyers event (date and location TBD), where attendees will have the opportunity to network directly with purchasing professionals from Radford University, Virginia Tech, the Virginia Community College System, and other area colleges and universities.
With 23 community colleges across the Commonwealth, the Virginia Community College System (VCCS) represents a significant source of contracting opportunities. Session 4 of the Big Opportunities, Bold Partnerships series will introduce the Virginia Community College System's (VCCS) Shared Services Center (SSC), which oversees purchasing for all community colleges, and explain how businesses can register, compete, and succeed in this system. Attendees will gain insight into the unique needs of community colleges and how to connect with decision-makers.
Session Objectives:
- Provide an overview of the role of the VCCS Shared Services Center in managing purchases for 23 colleges.
- Identify the types of goods and services commonly procured by community colleges.
- Explain how participants can register and position their business for opportunities within the VCCS system.
If you have questions about this event, please contact Kathy Deacon directly by email at kathy.deacon@sbsd.virginia.gov.
