Procurement Readiness Resources
Introduction
Significant progress has been achieved in the training and support of military-connected entrepreneurs over the past two decades. However, these entrepreneurs continue to encounter various challenges in their business endeavors.
Through this initiative, the IVMF and Walmart will collaborate with military-connected businesses to identify obstacles to procurement and other corporate supply chain aspects. With the goal of delivering programming to tackle these barriers and enhance readiness for procurement and the ability to capitalize on opportunities. Programming will assess corporate readiness for procurement and other special focus areas for veteran and military spouse business owners, revealing a path to being procurement-ready in the commercial sector.
Get Ready to Do Business in the Private Sector
IVMF has joined forces with Walmart to deliver tools and resources to help illuminate a path to procurement for veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs. The resources on the page can help entrepreneurs become procurement ready and realize opportunities within private supply chain. Entrepreneurs can also learn how to strengthen their supply chain and set themselves up for success when meeting with a procurement agent.
Jump to Procurement Readiness Resources
Procurement Webinar Series
Our webinar series grants access to real procurement expertise from both sides of the buyer-supplier relationship. Gain insight into the supplier landscape of how best to craft a vendor profile that signals your readiness. Learn about preparing your logistics and supply chains, so when there’s an opportunity, you’re ready to take advantage of it, and turn it into a successful, long-term relationship.
Want to be procurement-ready? Ready to grow in the commercial sector?
Complete our interest form for more details.
Looking for more resources? IVMF wants to support your procurement-readiness journey, whether your business is growing as a supplier or just trying to get started. Check back often as more resources continue to be added regularly.
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Understand The Procurement Process
The procurement process consists of several key stages to identify, pursue, and secure business opportunities with potential buyers or clients.
Below is a general overview of the procurement steps from the supplier’s point of view:
- Opportunities: Look out for requests like RFPs (Requests for Proposals) or RFQs (Requests for Quotations) that match the products or services your business offers.
- Understand What’s Needed: Carefully read through the request to understand the buyer’s needs, deadlines, and any specific instructions.
- Create a Strong Proposal: Write a clear and detailed proposal that shows how your product or service meets their needs. Be sure to include your pricing and terms.
- Submit on Time: Follow the instructions and send your proposal through the correct channel before the deadline.
- Wait for Review: After submitting, the buyer will review all proposals based on their criteria, which could include pricing, quality, and other factors.
- Negotiate If Selected: If your proposal is a good fit, you may be asked to discuss the terms of the contract, including pricing and deadlines, to finalize the details.
- Secure the Contract: Once awarded, complete any final requirements and get ready to start working on the contract.
- Deliver on the Contract: Once you’ve secured the contract, make sure to meet all terms and conditions. Deliver your products or services on time and stay in close communication with the buyer throughout the process.
- Submit Invoices and Get Paid: Send clear and accurate invoices as soon as the work is completed. Keep track of payments and follow up if needed to ensure timely receipt.
- Build Customer Relationships: Focus on providing excellent customer service. Stay engaged with the buyer, address their needs, and ask for feedback to strengthen your partnership.
- Review and Improve: After completing a project, assess your performance. Use buyer feedback to identify what worked well and what can be improved. Apply these lessons to make your future bids and proposals even stronger.
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Prepare To Do Business With The Private Sector
Seeking out mentoring, educational, and networking opportunities can build the requisite knowledge to improve opportunity recognition and procurement readiness.
Not only should military-connected entrepreneurs be prepared financially for new contracts, it’s necessary to prepare for other resourcing challenges such as effective marketing, manufacturing support, cash flow management, and hiring.
The educational resources and programs below can help.
Marketing Strategies
- The Urgency Of Building A Consumer-Driven Brand
- How To Execute A Consumer-Driven Brand
- How To Drive Traffic To Your Website
- How To Build A Conversion-Focused Website
Supply Chain and Product Manufacturing
You will likely need to scale up production to meet the large order volumes required by corporations. This includes sourcing materials and fulfilling large orders that exceed current capacity.
- Supply Chain Management
- Manufacturing
Human Capital
Financial Literacy & Access to Capital
Accessing the capital needed to buy inventory, hire employees and grow your business is essential. Increase your knowledge about what capital sources are available and best suited to meet your businesses’ unique needs.
- So The Bank Said “No”, now what?
- Military-Connected Small Business Profiles: Access to Capital and Resources Across Revenue Stages (IVMF Research Brief)
Perfect Your Pitch for Corporates Partners
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Explore Entrepreneurship Training Programs & Certification
Engage in mentorship and educational programs for guidance on corporate procurement
Veteran EDGE
The Veteran EDGE Conference focuses on the opportunities and challenges of growth-stage businesses that are scaling or ready to scale. Over three days, veteran and military spouse business owners, corporate leaders, and stakeholders will network, learn about new opportunities and best practices, and celebrate their successes.
Military Entrepreneurship Forum
IVMF, sponsored by Fiserv, is hosting a regional Military Entrepreneurship Forum. The event offers veteran and military spouse-owned businesses a chance to learn from and network with experts, Fortune 500 companies, entrepreneurs, and other resources.
Mission to Marketplace
IVMF, powered by Amazon, is hosting a regional Mission to Marketplace: Entrepreneurship Summit. The event offers veteran and military spouse-owned businesses the chance to learn from experts, access resources, and network with Fortune 500 representatives and fellow entrepreneurs.
Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans
Cutting edge bootcamp style entrepreneurship training program teaching the steps and stages of business creation and business management, with a tailored emphasis on the unique challenges and opportunities associated with being a veteran business owner.
Veteran Institute for Procurement (VIP)
The VIP COMMERCIAL training program equips veterans with the knowledge, tools, and strategies to enter or scale in the private sector.
Some companies or government agencies may not publicly disclose the contact details of their supplier diversity officers or small business liaisons. In such cases, attending events and conferences can be beneficial to establish direct connections.
Obtain Business Certifications
A business certification is an official credential awarded by a certifying authority to a business that meets designated standards or criteria. These certifications can fulfill a variety of purposes and may be granted by government agencies, industry associations, nonprofit organizations, or independent certifying bodies.
How Certification as a Diverse Business Can Open Doors (J.P. Morgan Chase)
Veteran Certification: Debunking Myths and Streamlining Processes (IVMF)
Seek Assistance with the Certification Process
Keep in mind that each organization may have preferences as to which cerifications they prioritize. Here is a list of organizations that can assist you with obtaining certifications that are right for you.
- Disability: IN
- National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC)
- National Veteran Business Development Council (NVBDC)
- National Veteran-Owned Business Association (NaVOBA)
- Military Spouse Chamber of Commerce
- Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC)
- WEConnect International (WEConnect)
- U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce (USPAACC)
- National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC
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Navigate The Procurement Process
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Identify & Connect with Procurement Opportunities
Identify & Research Target Corporations
Use online resources to find target corporations and explore supplier diversity programs.
Initial research can help you better identify private sector companies with needs that align with the products/service you provide. You may also want to consider industry, size, geographic location, purchasing behavior, etc. when deciding which companies you want to pursue a partnership with
Some companies or government agencies may not publicly disclose the contact details of their supplier diversity officers or small business liaisons. In such cases, attending events and conferences can be beneficial to establish direct connections.
Get connected and develop relationships
Connecting with corporate purchasing managers, small business liaisons, and supplier diversity officers is an important step in securing business opportunities. Attending conferences, matchmaking events, and networking opportunities—both local and national—is a great way to meet decision-makers. These events let you introduce your business and learn about upcoming opportunities.
Below are a few events that can help you build connections and grow your network. Check back as new dates are added and be sure to mark your calendars!
September, annually (Bentonville, AR)
Walmart Open Call – The annual Open Call event is at the heart of Walmart’s commitment to U.S. Manufacturing. This sourcing event presents a unique opportunity for selected entrepreneurs to meet face-to-face with Walmart and/or Sam’s Club merchants, potentially getting their product in front of millions of customers. Open Call offers businesses of all sizes from across the nation a chance at a big break with Walmart.
Quarterly (Virtual)
NaVOBA Marching Forward Mondays: Operation Matchmaker – The National Veteran Owned Business Association (NaVOBA) facilitates a quarterly, virtual networking series to maximize contracting opportunities with U.S. corporations committed to working with Veteran-Owned Businesses as suppliers.
February 11-13, 2025 (New Orleans, LA)
National Small Business Conference – The National 8(a) Association’s premier supplier diversity event for small businesses and offers educational sessions, matchmaking, networking, and resources for small businesses. The event also attracts hundreds of corporate companies, federal agencies, large business primes to provide multiple opportunities in one location other grow your business in the federal contracting arena
March 10-15, 2025 (Las Vegas, NV)
Reservation Economic Summit (RES) – RES is a multifaceted event from The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (NCAIED) featuring unparalleled access to respected tribal leaders, top CEOs, members of Congress, federal agency representatives, as well as state and local elected officials on a national platform. Meet with Fortune 500 companies in the “Buy Native Procurement Matchmaking Expo.”
June 3-5, 2025 (Oxon Hill, MD)
CelebrASIAN Conference – CelebrASIAN is the annual flagship event of the US Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce Education Foundation (USPAACC) that brings together top-caliber participants from the business, nonprofit, and government sectors – all under one roof for three days of substantive and unparalleled panel discussions, actionable workshops, and exclusive business networking opportunities.
June 23-26, 2025 (Las Vegas, NV)
NGLCC International Business & Leadership Conference – The National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (GLCC) brings together industry leaders, entrepreneurs and allies for dynamic workshops and unparalleled networking. Attendees will also have opportunities to get one-on-one advice on how their business can gain access to procurement opportunities with NGLCC Corporate Partners.
July 14-17, 2025 (Orlando, FL)
Disability:IN Global Conference – Disability:IN certifies disability-owned business enterprises (DOBEs), including service-disabled veteran-owned businesses and connects them to Corporate Partners seeking to build more inclusive supply chains.
August 19-22, 2025 (New Orleans, LA)
WBENC National Conference – The Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) welcomes thousands of women entrepreneurs and corporate executives ready to make connections and do business.
November 2-5, 2025 (Miami, FL)
NMSDC Annual Conference and Exchange – The National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) unites corporate leaders, procurement executives, diversity professionals, and MBE owners to shape a future where diversity thrives and equity reigns.
The National Veteran-Owned Business Association (NaVOBA) maintains an events calendar and is a great resource for finding networking opportunities with corporate decision-makers. Check it regularly to stay updated on events that can help you connect and grow your business.
The right information and resources can make all the difference in the success of your small business. For additional resources, including those listed on this page, visit the COE Veteran Entrepreneurship Resource Library. The COE Library offers original and curated content—articles, videos, infographics, and more—to provide valuable insights and guidance along the way.
Is Your Business Ready to Sell to Walmart?
Open Call is at the heart of Walmart’s commitment to U.S. Manufacturing. This sourcing event presents a unique opportunity for selected entrepreneurs to meet face-to-face with Walmart and/or Sam’s Club merchants, potentially getting their product in front of millions of customers. Open Call offers businesses of all sizes from across the nation a chance at a big break with Walmart.
What Open Call Means For Your Business
This year marked the eleventh annual Open Call event, where entrepreneurs from around the country were given the opportunity to sell their U.S.-made, grown or assembled products on Walmart or Sam’s Club shelves or on Walmart.com.
Finalist from across the nation, representing 48 states, participated in the event. Entrepreneurs from over half of these states received “golden tickets” representing deals, while entrepreneurs from more than 42 states were under consideration for deals. Securing a golden ticket at Open Call grants entrepreneurs an invaluable chance to reach new customers, grow their businesses and create jobs in their communities.
Walmart’s Supplier Inclusion Program
Walmart’s Supplier Inclusion program is designed to support suppliers, including those owned by women, minorities, people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and of course, veterans. The program emphasizes the importance of an inclusive supply chain that reflects Walmart’s customers and communities. Access resources, certification guidance, and supply chain opportunities, to help your businesses grow and thrive.
Improving Access to Procurement Through Research
IVMF produces leading research to advance entrepreneurial opportunities, especially procurement opportunities, for veteran and military family entrepreneurs. In collaboration with Walmart, IVMF research empowers veteran and military family businesses by using data to identify and better understand the unique challenges of military-connected entrepreneurs.
By leveraging comprehensive data, facilitating key discussions, and sharing actionable insights, we’re equipping business owners with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate the complexities of procurement processes and succeed in their ventures. This creates awareness throughout the broader entrepreneurial ecosystem, better informing corporate partners, providers, and funders, so they can recognize and remove barriers to procurement readiness.
Explore Our Latest Research Insights
Advancing Military-Connected Entrepreneurship
This research brief combines detailed findings from the Walmart-sponsored “Military-Connected Entrepreneurship Ecosystem: Growth, Empowerment & Connectivity Summit” with additional IVMF data insights to recommend action steps for military-connected businesses, ecosystem and corporate partners, and collaboration opportunities.
Military-Connected Small Business Profiles: Access to Capital and Resources Across Revenue Stages
This research brief presents a thorough analysis of the military-connected entrepreneurship ecosystem, detailing the progression of business development from inception to sustainability.
Veteran Certification: Debunking Myths and Streamlining Processes
This paper affirms the continued intent of the IVMF and CVOB to demystify and help streamline the VOB certification process by advocating for the establishment of either one nationally recognized certification, or a unified verification process where all certifying bodies work together towards a reciprocal solution.
Supporting Partner
