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Committee urges training, one-on-one support to help local vendors compete for school contracts
Summary
Members and presenters said vendor training, virtual one-on-one counseling and outreach events could boost participation from local small businesses that now lose bids to large chain suppliers. Staff offered to host training and resource tables for vendors across the region.
The ad hoc committee focused on immediate outreach and training steps to increase local vendor participation in school procurement, with several members describing hands-on help already available.
Dr. Flowers, who described her office’s support work, said the program offers individualized assistance: "We help them with the Keto vendor application," and staff provide "1 on 1 counseling" and virtual screen-sharing sessions so small businesses can learn to complete bids and certifications. Committee members and staff urged more public workshops, resource tables at churches and pre-bid sessions to inform and recruit vendors across the 10-parish region.
The chair said the training work should be front-loaded so businesses are ready when the school year begins and asked members to keep outreach on the committee’s agenda. Staff noted many virtual and in-person events are already listed on their website and that their small office cannot compel performance after a contract award but can help firms submit compliant proposals.
The committee agreed to gather a short list of outreach activities and to provide materials for broader community distribution before the next meeting.
