Procurement Readiness & Supplier Competitiveness Program
Get contract-ready. Build supplier competitiveness.
ESCALAR prepares established small businesses to meet common procurement standards and strengthen their readiness for corporate and government contracting.
Applications close: May 10, 2026
WHAT IS ESCALAR?
ESCALAR is a procurement readiness and supplier competitiveness program for established small businesses preparing to pursue corporate and government contracting opportunities.
WHO’S BEHIND ESCALAR
Led by the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GHCC) and the Hispanic Business Center (HBC), ESCALAR supports businesses in building the operational, financial, and compliance foundations required by buyers—so they can qualify, onboard efficiently, and engage in procurement processes with confidence.
By the end of ESCALAR, you will have:
• A documented procurement-ready business profile
• Required compliance and onboarding documents organized
• Registration completed (or mapped) in key buyer systems
• A realistic 6–12 month contracting plan
• Direct exposure to buyers—not theory
Participants move through a structured, hands-on experience that includes:
WHAT YOU’LL WORK ON
Participants will strengthen the core business and procurement capabilities required to pursue corporate and government contracting opportunities.
Depending on assigned participation option, businesses will focus on:
- Operational, financial, and compliance readiness aligned with procurement standards
- Supplier registration, onboarding requirements, and buyer-facing systems
- Development of key supplier materials, including capability statements and profiles
- Proposal strategy, pricing structure, and solicitation response preparation
- Strategic engagement with corporate and government procurement professionals
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
ESCALAR supports established small businesses that are preparing to pursue corporate and government contracts within the next
Through practical training, one-on-one technical assistance, and direct exposure to procurement leaders, participants build real deliverables, reduce common barriers to contracting, and develop a clear, actionable contracting plan—without guesswork or overpromising.
WHO SHOULD APPLY?
ESCALAR is designed for established small businesses that meet the following criteria:
ESCALAR is a bilingual program. Sessions are delivered in both English and Spanish. Due to the nature of buyer engagement and program deliverables, participants must be proficient in both languages to fully participate and benefit from the program.
Your path in ESCALAR is personalized.
Each business is evaluated based on readiness and prior procurement experience. Below, you’ll find the two program tracks and what each one includes.
TRACK 1
For businesses new to procurement or just getting started.
Key focus areas
Strengthening operational, financial, and compliance infrastructure
Supplier registration and onboarding readiness
Capability statement + supplier profile development
Understanding procurement processes and expectations
Outcome
Participants complete a verified Supplier Readiness Portfolio and build the foundation needed for sustainable growth.
TRACK 2
For businesses with contracting experience ready to scale into larger opportunities.
Key focus areas
Advanced proposal development and RFP response strategy
Strategic use of certifications
Pricing, cost structure, and margin planning
Relationship-building with procurement and acquisition professionals
Outcome
Participants strengthen proposal quality, improve competitive positioning, and build relationships that drive contracting growth.
50
Total businesses
25
businesses per Program Track
Small cohorts for hands-on guidance
Selection based on application review, readiness, and fit
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
Jan 26 – May 10, 2026
Application period opens
May 20, 2026
Program Start Date
Nov 18, 2026
Procurement matchmaking + supplier showcase
December 2026
Graduation + program reporting
READY TO GET CONTRACT-READY?
If your business is preparing to pursue corporate or government contracts, ESCALAR provides the structure, tools, and guidance to help you move forward with clarity.
Once accepted, participants are required to pay a program participation fee of $1,500usd.
CONTACT US
Have questions about eligibility, participation options, or the application process?
Send us a message and our team will respond as soon as possible.
Form fields
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is ESCALAR limited to specific industries?
No. ESCALAR is open to established product- and service-based businesses across sectors that can sell B2B or B2G.
Do I need certifications to apply?
No. Certifications may be addressed as part of the program, depending on readiness and participation option.
How are businesses selected?
Applications are reviewed based on eligibility, readiness, and program fit. Participation does not guarantee contract awards.