CONTRACT CONNECTIONS (MATCHMAKING): FAQ

The 2025 National Small Business Conference offers two days of Contract Connections (matchmaking), February 12-13, 2025. Attendees have the opportunity to be pre-matched to meet one-on-one with federal agencies and large primes. When registering, be sure to opt-in as a buyer (agency/prime) or supplier (small business) to receive updates. Opting in for Contract Connections (matchmaking), does not guarantee a meeting. All Contract Connections (matchmaking) meetings are pre-assigned appointments and facilitated by the National 8(a) Association.

    • Wednesday, February 12, 2025 at 1:30pm-5:00pm

    • Thursday, February 13, 2025 at 1:30pm-5:00pm

  • If you are a supplier, please opt-in or submit information by January 17, 2025. If you are a buyer, please opt-in or submit information by January 15, 2025.

  • No, the National 8(a) Association will be pre-matching all meetings on behalf of each company.

  • Based on buyers’ requirements, the National 8(a) Association will match suppliers based on the capabilities provided in their company’s registration.

  • Contract Connections (matchmaking) schedules will be sent out one week prior to the conference.

  • Only one schedule of meetings is provided per company and more than one person from the company may attend the appointment(s).

  • No, just be sure to arrive at the Contract Connections (matchmaking) area at least 5 minutes prior to your appointment time.

  • Additional meetings will be offered at the conference through an “open-call” process. You will need to wait in the “open-call” queue and listen for an announcement to know which buyer is available.

  • Please email matchmaking@national8aassociation.org or visit the Contract Connections (matchmaking) information desk at the conference.

  • Your company’s capabilities did not align with the interests or current needs of the attending buyers, or there were no available appointments. Please email matchmaking@national8aassociation.org if you would like a detailed explanation.

  • Please email matchmaking@national8aassociation.org to edit your registration.

  • Suppliers registering for the conference after January 17, 2025 can email matchmaking@national8aassociation.org prior to the conference. We will be assigning Contract Connections (matchmaking) meetings on-site at the conference at the Matchmaking information desk and through “open-call” during Contract Connections (matchmaking) hours.

    • On-Site Scheduled Meetings: Visit us at the Contract Connections (matchmaking) information desk on Tuesday, February 11, 2025 from 8:00am – 1:00pm to schedule matchmaking appointments.

    • “Open-Call” Meetings: Occur 2 minutes after each Contract Connections (matchmaking) meeting start time. If a supplier does not show up for their pre-scheduled meeting or the buyer has availability, we look to the "open-call” area to match a supplier with a buyer who is available.

  • Bring plenty of business cards, capability statements, and any marketing materials to provide to the buyers.

If you still have questions after reviewing all of the Contract Connections (matchmaking) information, contact matchmaking@national8aassociation.org, and we will provide a response within 48 hours of your inquiry.