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Less than a year ago, Almonte Trading Group L.L.C., a company dedicated to representation and distribution, operated exclusively at the local level, facing challenges common to many small businesses: limited access to major opportunities, lack of knowledge about the federal contracting process, and low visibility in the federal market.
Everything changed in July 2024 when the Almonte Trading Group L.L.C. team attended a meeting at the Federal Contracting Center (FeCC) with the counselor Ada Santos. There, they learned about the vast opportunities that the federal government offers to small businesses—especially those identified as minority-owned, Women-Owned, Veteran-Owned, Socially or Economically Disadvantaged, or located in Underutilized Business Zones.
With personalized assistance from the FeCC, Almonte Trading Group L.L.C. achieved the following:
- Properly registered in SAM.gov, the federal government's acquisition management system.
- Created a profile in the Dynamic Small Business Search (DSBS), optimized with keywords and a strong capability narrative.
- Applied for key certifications, such as HUBZone and WOSB, which opened new doors to contracting opportunities.
In less than a year, Almonte Trading Group L.L.C. has won four federal contracts valued at over $2.5 million, providing canned, packaged, and fresh foods—such as meats and seafood—to various agencies, including MDC, Fort Allen, Camp Santiago, the U.S. Navy, and the National Guard. Today, the company has tripled its workforce, expanded its product and service lines, and diversified its portfolio.
"The Federal Contracting Center was the bridge between our capabilities and real federal government opportunities. Without their guidance, we would probably still be wondering how to get started. Now, we are a trusted federal supplier with long-term contracts," says Awilda López, President of Almonte Trading Group L.L.C.
Thanks to the support of the Federal Contracting Center, Almonte Trading Group L.L.C. is now a true success story in the world of federal contracting.
