What is the Central Contractor Registration (CCR)?
The Central Contractor Registration (CCR) is the primary vendor database for the U.S. Government. The CCR collects, validates, stores and disseminates data in support of agency missions. A portion of the database is open to the public and can be used by Government and corporate buyers to identify small business venders.

Both current and potential government vendors are required to register in CCR in order to do be awarded contracts by the Federal Government. Vendors are required to complete a one-time registration to provide basic information relevant to procurement and financial transactions. Vendors must update or renew their registration annually to maintain an active status.

CCR validates the vendor's information and electronically shares the secure and encrypted data with the federal agencies' finance offices to facilitate paperless payments through electronic funds transfer (EFT). Additionally, CCR shares the data with several government procurement and electronic business systems.

CCR also contains vendor marketing data formerly in the SBA’s PRO-Net database. When a small business registers in CCR, they are directed to complete a small business profile that includes ownership type, capabilities, homepage address, keywords, etc. Using the dynamic search function, CCR makes these small business profiles available to federal, state, and local contracting officers, as well as private-sector businesses. These profiles are used in locating and selecting contractors, subcontractors, teaming arrangements and partnerships. In addition, CCR identifies Small Disadvantaged Businesses (SDB), 8(a) BD participants, and HUBZone small businesses.

How can small businesses register on the CCR?
There is no cost to register your business. CCR has its own web site at http://www.ccr.gov

How can buyers and sellers use the CCR?
The CCR web site is menu driven and easy to use. There are several key access points

• Registration - allows online registration of your business

• Update profiles - allows updating of your own business profile, using a personal password (TPIN).

• Dynamic Small Business Search - provides access to all the small business profiles in the system. Searches can be conducted using NAICS codes, locations, federal certifications, business type, business ownership (race & gender)

• Procurement Opportunities - provides access to Federal Business Opportunities, a single government point-of-entry for Federal government procurement opportunities over $25,000.

• Government Resources - information on government resources that will assist small businesses in the procurement process.

To register your business, click on the link below

Direct link to CCR web site

Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC)

• The Defense Department funds a network of Procurement Technical Assistance Centers throughout the United States. These centers provide low or no cost assistance to companies that desire to sell to the Government. A listing of the PTACs can be found at http://www.dla.mil/db/procurem.htm.

• In Minnesota the PTAC contract is held by the Metropolitan Economic Development Association (MEDA) and operates as MEDA PTAC.

• The MEDA PTAC covers the entire state of Minnesota with offices in the Twin Cities, St. Cloud, and Moorhead. Its services are available to all Minnesota businesses, large and small. For more information, or to obtain services, call the MEDA PTAC at 612-259-6581 or e-mail to rmcgee@meda.net.