Helping Small Businesses Win Contracts
Thursday, August 23, 2007 3:04 PM
Donald Davis leaned forward and listened intently.
A small business owner with a 2-year-old telecommunications firm, Davis was eager to learn how to do business with METRO, as it prepares for its design/build phase of METRO Solutions - a huge $2-billion project that includes five corridors of light rail and bus rapid transit.
A novice at working with government agencies, Davis wanted to learn the ropes and was attending the second day of a three-day training seminar here at METRO for small and disadvantages businesses.
By today, about 100 entrepreneurs will have networked and received one-on-on counseling with METRO staff and consultants on how to get a piece of the METRO Solutions pie.
The SBE/DBE Master Plan will provide small businesses with resources and tools to enable them to compete on future contracts in the next phase of METRO Solutions 2. In that phase, which is scheduled to start next February, approximately $300 million - or 35 percent of the total contract amount - represents extensive opportunities for small and disadvantaged business participation.
"It would definitely be an opportunity for me to get that training in what I need and what my people need," said Davis. "That education will be vital to grow as a firm. Hopefully, the contracts will come quickly."
But first, Davis had to fill out a form - Snapshot © - to get in our data base for automatic notices on when projects will go out to bid.
"If you can't get on a contract, we'll take a look at your business," Tracy Agha told Davis. Agha is the program director of QWIC Inc., program advisors to Washington Group International, the prime contractor. "We're looking at a holistic approach, so you don't just get a $50,000 contract. But will that grow your business in terms of skills and capacity?"
Agha explained that METRO is offering 63 customized courses in construction and transportation for small businesses that want to expand their skills. "We're very committed to you and the reputation of METRO in providing both of us with the synergy we need," said Agha.
The federal government defines "small business" as someone who has $750,000 or less net worth, excluding residence and business. The government term "disadvantaged business" has no income cap but includes any minority or woman-owned business.
Andrew Harris, pictured on the right with business owner Richard Johnson, said the three-day event was designed to grow and develop small businesses. 
"It's been going great," he said, while eating the lunch METRO provided to the business owners. He said many attendees told him this was the first METRO event they attended where they felt "people cared about their needs and goals."
To make this seminar be more than lip-service and hand-outs, business owners were able to meet contract decision makers - including prime contractors and bankers - to answer any questions, make connections and to pitch their services.
"We're not promising you a contract. You have to be qualified, and your services have to be needed," said Harris. "But if you don't get a contract, we can help you figure out why you didn't get it."