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ITCan - Vancouver
We asked Judy to educate small and medium-sized companies with capabilities in maritime security on how to access opportunities in the US homeland security market. And to understand GSA schedules, the Buy American Act, relationships with partners, and who does what in which government agencies.
We also asked Judy to educate our Trade Team BC members through the "101" and "201" level material so we can provide better information to our clients on how to get into the US government market. She gave us vital information we need to tell our clients -- things that were new to us, too.
We feel better prepared to field calls on US federal procurement.
We have a better understanding of what we didn't know and how far we're going to go before passing the inquiry on to an expert like Judy
One thing that kept coming up on the surveys is that Judy is very entertaining; she managed to keep the attention of her audience. She never lost them!
Our audiences described her emphatically as very professional and very knowledgeable.
Judy is very generous with her information, willing to meet with companies after the presentations and to share the PowerPoint slides that give them the keys to information that is also on her web site.
After Judy's briefing, those of us on the front lines are definitely better prepared to field questions, decide where we want to go on the learning curve and when we want to hand it off and to whom – other specialists who are out there and can help us.
She explained US government procurement in terms we could understand as Canadians. By comparing the two systems – for example, GSA Schedules and Master Standing Offer – she put it into context.
"Okay," I thought, "Suddenly the mystery is gone!"
It was an eye-opener for me, because I realized that many of the US government procurement processes are similar to those used by the International Financial Institutions.
A few days after Judy's briefing, I got a call about US government procurement. It was easier for me to help the client because I saw the similarities between those two systems.
I enjoyed absolutely everything about working with Judy!
We had the most interesting conversations, discussions, brainstorming, and creativity. When the wheels started turning, it was amazing. Judy's very well organized, especially considering that we did the planning by long distance, and I could always rely on her to carry through.
The fact that she's been in the Canadian Government for 15 years meant that she understood when I said, "I don't have the details on the project funding yet."
I also liked getting all her receipts and invoices prepared exactly the way the government needs them. It's so much easier, not having to educate someone on how the system works for services contracting. I needed that. I didn't have the time to walk someone through the process.
I absolutely encourage you to hire Judy! You will get value for your dollar.
Yvonne deBoer, Trade Commissioner,
International Trade Canada Regional Office, Vancouver
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