AC Transit Bolstering Opportunities For Small/DBE Vendors
News Articles
10/02/2012
“How To” Roundtable Set For Local, Minority-Owned Businesses
Hoping to increase the number of contracts let to local vendors, AC Transit is hosting a summit specifically designed to level the playing field for a host of small, local and minority-owned businesses.
Nearly 100 local business owners are set to participate in the first of several Small, Local and DBE Business Roundtable which will be held this Friday, October 5, 2012 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the AC Transit General Office, 1600 Franklin Street, Oakland.
The workshop will outline what it takes to win agency contracts, demystify the process and dissolve barriers that may have limited participation by small, women and minority-owned businesses in the past.
The agency is striving to be more transparent and inclusive, said AC Transit General Manager David Armijo. The roundtable will help both the agency and local businesses better understand each other’s environments, and subsequently minimize potential contracting obstacles.
“This is a community outreach effort. We intend to make sure that all businesses have an equal opportunity to compete for tax-funded contracts,” said Armijo. “We want to spend our money with local businesses and this roundtable will help them to be more competitive.”
Among other things, the Small, Local and DBE Business Roundtable will offer instruction on how eligible firms can become DBE certified; and explore possible solutions for firms with bonding, insurance and other difficulties that can inhibit their business opportunities.