City outlines supplier engagement strategy; Mentor-Protégé and bonding pilot results reviewed
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Summary
Economic development staff previewed a holistic supplier engagement strategy that centers outreach, supplier development and preference programs; the bonding assistance pilot had 27 participants and increased bonding capacity for participants but did not yet produce proportionate COSA contract wins.
Anna Bradshaw, assistant director in the Economic Development Department, briefed the committee on a supplier engagement strategy intended to tie the city's preference programs, mentor-protégé activities and targeted capacity-building into a coordinated approach.
Bradshaw summarized three pillars of the strategy: outreach and engagement, supplier development, and continued use of preference programs (SABETA and veteran/local preference programs). She said the strategy responds to findings in the disparity study and the procurement playbook and aims to "meet potential vendors where they are," increase qualified bidders and improve contracting outcomes for local, minority- and women-owned firms.
Staff reviewed two active programs: the Mentor-Protégé program (operated in partnership with Alamo Colleges, funded through an interlocal agreement) and a capacity-building and bonding assistance pilot run with SAEDC and Alamo Surety Bond.
Bradshaw said the Mentor-Protégé program has been operating about 15 years and has a backlog of proteges and a shortage of mentors; the program needs modernization. The bonding assistance pilot enrolled 27 participants (versus an initial estimate of about 90) and logged almost 120 hours of consultation. Participants' bonding capacity increased from about $2,000,000 to nearly $15,000,000, Bradshaw said, but that increase had not yet translated into proportional COSA contract awards; staff said the pilot is concluding, a final report will be produced and staff will recommend next steps.
Bradshaw outlined year-one implementation items: program reviews completed, targeted outreach rolling out, Mentor-Protégé enhancements with Alamo Colleges and SABETA-related process improvements to go live July 1. She said staff will leverage EDD research to identify pockets of unregistered vendors (for example, auto parts dealers) to target outreach, and the strategy includes events to connect contractors with subcontractors.
Council members asked whether the bonding assistance pilot will be funded in the upcoming fiscal year; Bradshaw said the pilot is concluding and staff will assess next steps after a final data report from Alamo Surety Bond. The SABETA committee provided positive feedback and asked for follow-up on communications and marketing.
Ending note: Bradshaw welcomed Ivan Suarez, a newly hired staff member (formerly USDA), who will help lead implementation; staff requested continued committee feedback as implementation continues.