Small Business Advocacy

We are the voice of the independent dealer community in Washington, D.C. and the states across the country. Tax reform for small business, sensible healthcare reform for all and broadening access to government contracts independent dealers are just a few of the policies we fight for each and every day! 

There was a study discussed that showed data that besides customers having the largest economic value on a company in the next 3-5 years (71 percent), the government/regulators would have the second largest impact at 54 percent. It is, therefore, the job of government affairs specialists to make sure the impact is positive and not harmful to small businesses and allows fair practices. There is no one particular characteristic of a company or business that allows it to have success in legislative outcomes. Each characteristic is only has a 50 percent chance of having the desired outcome. But, by combing more lobbyists, larger PAC money, etc., the chances of success increase. Source: McKinsey Survey  

Helping Independents Gain Ground

IOPFDA is the industry-wide organization representing dealer interests before the U.S. and key state/local governments, insisting on fair and open competition in procurement, seeking small business healthcare reforms, and protecting your business against misguided government proposals. Committee members monitor and represent the dealer community on issues including:

FEDERAL ISSUES:

Federal Strategic Sourcing Initiative (FSSI)
Affordable Care Act

IRS & Tax Issues

AbilityOne/JWOD

GSA/VA/SBA Procurement
Furniture Federal Strategic Sourcing Initiative (F-FSSI)

STATE ISSUES:

IRS & TAX Issues

State Procurement

Interior Design Legislation

Particularly active through IOPFDA's National Office Products Alliance (NOPA) division, members have been pushing for fair and open competition at the federal, state and local government levels and encouraging officials to abandon so-called "strategic” sole-source contracting as their primary purchasing strategy. Most recently, a potential GSA Furniture Federal Strategic Sourcing Initiative (FSSI) has been announced and is fast becoming an issue that IOPFDA's Office Furniture Dealers Alliance (OFDA) is getting involved with.

IOPFDA plays a central role in helping dealers coordinate efforts and share information on government contracting developments and best-practice advocacy tactics. There is no substitute for unity of purpose when independents advocate for their worthy causes, whether at the federal, state or local level.