overview

Small Business – Historically Underutilized Business Plan

Our Mission

The mission of the City of Charlotte, Small

Business Program is to increase the

capacity and contract acquisition rate of

Certified Historically Underutilized

Businesses.

Our Goals

Creating a 5 year strategic plan

Maintaining and increase 12-18% MWSBE/HUB contract participation rate

Increase monetary level of non-bidded contracts under $30K

Streamlining HUB bid packages & certification process

Implement Multi-Bid Packaging system to increase capacity & opportunity

Contractor’s Institute of 2008

HUB Advisory Committee

Technology / Marketing

120 Day Work Plan

HUB Advisory Committee

• 5 Year Strategic Plan

• Partner with state officials to create a disparity study for City of Charlotte HUB’s

• Lobbying for legislation that increases the minimum amount of non-bidded contract awards for HUB’s

• Streamline Bid-Packages and the Certification process to make it more user friendly

• Partner with faith-based / marketing group to get message out to small business owners

120 Day Work Plan

Streamlining Bid-Packages

1. Waive Bid Application Deposits for Certified HUB’s

2. Point system will be created on RFP’s to make sure GC’s are making a good faith effort to hire an HUB before submitting proposal

3. GC’s must sign affidavit stating that they will use specific subcontractor to perform specific duties

Implement Multi- Bid Packaging System

1. GC’s must complete price parity forms when submitting bids

2. The City of Charlotte will “unbundle” contract proposals to attract more HUB’s

3. Separate and Dual Prime Bidding

120 Day Work Plan

Seminars designed to provide technical assistance to all small businesses

wishing to do business with FWISD. We will partner with local companies

and municipalities to host the event over a three day period. Examples of

Seminar topics include:

1. I.R.S laws impacting Small Businesses

2. Building Relationships with Prime Contractors

3. Making a Profit

4. MWBE / HUB Certification process

Contractors Institute 2008

120 Day Work Plan

Technology

Contractor consulting firms offer programs that provide real-time leads on hundreds

Of projects out for public bid. Minority contractors are placed on an electronic list

server that is connected to a municipal database filled with bid announcements. I

am aware of two groups who perform those services in North Carolina. By using the

technology that links HUB’s to GC’s and bid opportunities; participation rates will

increase. By the 120th day we will:

1. Enlist a Contractor Database Consultant Group to conduct a seminar and provide training for the services they offer.

2. Update current database of HUB’s and create new categories based on bonding levels, contracts awarded, and the type of work they do.

3. Request for funding to use a “Temporary” building with computer equipment to be used by Certified HUB’s that do not have modern technology (fax, computer w/internet, copiers, etc)

120 Day Work Plan

Marketing

The Small Business Department should be responsible for sending out reading

material related to monthly meetings and policy changes. For large events, we

should bid out services to a Historically Underutilized Marketing Firm. We will

establish relationships with the local media to highlight contract opportunities with

the city and the programs we promote. As a former Broadcast Journalist with the

Army and contributing writer in several publications, I aware of the vehicles used

in marketing.

By the 120th day we should have a link on the City of Charlotte’s Website that

gives visitors: contact information for questions / concerns , notes from our (HUB

Advisory / Contractor Orientation) meetings and guidelines for completing the

Certification process.

Considerations

 

Consider that in the 3rd fiscal quarter of 2007, the City of Charlotte made formal and informal purchases totaling $100.8 million . Of that total; $16.7 Million dollars was spent with Minority and Women Business Enterprises.

The City met the goal for MWBE participation in five of the six categories analyzed:

1. Architecture and Engineering2. Construction companies awarded with less and more than $30K 3. Goods and Supplies4. Other services

Professional services is the only area where the goal was not met.

Considerations

When breaking down the $16.7 million that was spent with minority firms, 10% was spent with African American firms, 7% with Asian Americans 10% ,with Hispanic Americans and 15% with Native Americans and 58% with Non-minority females.

Contact

Rodney Ragsdale600 East Fourth Street

Charlotte, NC 28202

(803) 487-2444