The matchmakers and outreach sessions worth your morning, the primes looking for M/WBE, SDVOB and DBE subs right now, the contractor lists worth getting on, and the person to call at each agency. New York City, Long Island, Westchester and the Hudson Valley, Albany and New Jersey.

Goals are what the notice prints. A goal is the share a prime has to fill with certified firms, not a promise of work to any one firm. Confirm the goal and the certification that counts on the posting before you price.

Some of the steadiest public work never reaches a bid board. It goes to firms that signed up ahead of time.

The government staff who run these programs, as their agencies publish them.

Certification decisions, contract awards and who a prime hires are made by the agencies and contractors themselves. The RFI Wire reports what they publish. Always confirm dates and requirements with the host before you go.