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City purchasing staff outline vendor outreach and trainings to expand MBE/WBE participation and speed procurement
Summary
Procurement told the Finance Committee it is using state-certified lists, targeted outreach and a consultant to recruit minority- and women-owned vendors and has instituted training sessions and power hours for departments to reduce processing time for purchase orders and solicitations.
The Providence purchasing office described efforts to increase participation by minority- and women-owned businesses and to reduce procurement processing time.
Procurement staff said they rely on the states certified vendor lists for initial outreach and supplement that by working with chambers of commerce and trade associations to recruit firms for solicitations. The department has engaged a consultant to reach subcontractors and MBEs on individual RFPs, and staff said they have been successful in getting certain service contracts…
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