IS IMPORTANT FOR SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS

By Subcontractors USA News Provider

Houston Community College’s Procurement Operations Department has improved its Small Business Development Program (SBDP). With the additions, it's provided greater opportunity to certified small businesses that participate in the procurement process at the junior institution.

Part of those expansions included the City of Houston MBE (minority), WBE (women), PDBE (person with disabilities) and DBE (disadvantaged). This is an extension of the SBE certifications for the City of Houston, Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO), Texas Department of Transportation, City of Austin, South Central Texas Regional Certification Agency and Small Business Administration 8(a).

Earlier in March, HCC hosted a Procurement Expo with a mission to bring awareness to the procurement and contracting opportunities at Houston Community College (HCC). “One of the ways we accomplish this is by hosting ‘Access to HCC’ annually,” said Veronica Douglas who manages the SBDP department.

“Each year we invite our internal client departments, such as Information Technology, Facilities, Talent Engagement and our Community Partners, which are comprised of state, county and local governments, as well as schools, colleges and nonprofit agencies to participate as exhibitors.

The exhibit welcomed over 400 attendees. Following breakfast, keynote Ret. Staff Sergeant Earl Granville spoke on overcoming obstacles and perseverance. Granville has received numerous awards for his volunteer work and his speaking, including the 2018 Attorney General Heart So Big Award, 2018 Daughters of the American Revolution Veterans Volunteer Award, the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Purple Heart. This year’s expo featured a virtual paint booth, a photo booth, 27 HCC and 19 community partner exhibitors.

During the pandemic, the SBDP didn’t want to stop hosting “Access to HCC.” As we know, meeting in person a few years ago was not an option.

The SBDP worked with the IT Department to hold “Access to HCC” virtually on the Microsoft TEAMS platform. The virtual expo turned out ample representatives

Douglas detailed about HCC’s

She added, “The purpose of this awareness to the procurement opportunities as well as allow the attendees network and connect with HCC partners as well as our community goal of “Access to HCC” is to community about Bonfire, the An active bidder application edu/procurement) is required notifications of procurement goal of the Procurement Department a competitive procurement environment. assists in accomplishing this goal. Douglas explained that since last and procedures to HCC’s programs implemented to help the small “The SBDP rolled out a newsletter for anyone interested about our program. Please subscribe procurementhccs.edu/procurement,” said. “Bidders interested in HCC are encouraged to register Procurement website hccs.edu/procurement. know that these are two separate for receiving automatic bid notifications other is a newsletter produced as time it was the largest

The following year, “Access to HCC” from allowing attendees to style. The final honoree, conversation with Media Planner turned “It’s Your Business.” created to highlight our participating in procurement serious about with HCC, you miss “Access to well planned ample time to representatives county and local as well as colleges and non- this event is to bring opportunities at HCC attendees an opportunity to HCC internal client community partners. Another to inform the bidder the bidder database. application in Bonfire (hccs. for automatic email procurement opportunities. The Department is to create environment. Bonfire goal. last year, many changes programs have been business community, Constant Contact interested in learning more subscribe at hccs.edu/ procurementhccs.edu/procurement,” Douglas doing business with register as a bidder on the hccs.edu/procurement. Please separate registries. One is notifications and the produced by the SBDP.”

During the pandemic HCC taping resumed in February episodes.

HCC’s mission.

Though the event is hosted annually in March, “Access to HCC” is a free and open to anyone interested in doing business with HCC and/or its community partners. The expo is held at the HCC West Houston Institute. “Access to HCC” features the largest end users and provides attendees with an opportunity to meet face to face with exhibitors introducing their respective businesses and the product and/or service they provide.

Source: Veronica Douglas, SBDP Manager for HCC