On October 1, 2008, the Defense Logistics Agency awarded a grant to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) through a cooperative agreement to establish the first Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) in Hawai`i.  PTACs help maximize the number of capable U.S. companies participating in the government marketplace.  There are eighty-nine PTACs across the nation, and they form a national network of procurement professionals dedicated to providing you with 1) an understanding of the requirements of government contracting, and 2) the know-how to obtain and successfully perform federal, state and local government contracts.  PTACs have helped small businesses secure 99,000 contracts and subcontracts amounting to over $14 billion per year, creating and retaining 321,000 jobs.Hawai`i PTAC is funded primarily by the Defense Logistics Agency, with support from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Some strategic partners include Empower Oahu, Hawaii Small Business IT Hui, Honolulu Minority Business Enterprise Center, Maui Economic Opportunity Business Development Corporation, and Maui Economic Development Board.  OHA as the host grant recipient is actively seeking additional supporters for PTAC from the state, business and academic community.