Spring 2022 | Insights to Opportunity
www.houstontx.gov/obo | Page 7
FREE RESOURCE
Procurement 101 Tool Offers Simple Guide to Contracting
T
he Office of Business Opportunity, in collaboration with the Strategic Procurement Division, has launched a free, online training tool that assists small businesses in navigating the City of Houston’s procurement process. The Procurement 101 Portal, available via on-demand videos and accessible through houstontx.gov/OBO under Quick Links, walks users through each step of doing business with the City of Houston – from registering for a vendor number to bid submission, the evaluation process, understanding contract terms and conditions, and ensuring intended performance. “The City of Houston purchases billions of dollars in goods and services from companies in a variety of industries, including those certified under the City’s MWSDBE supplier diversity program,” said OBO Assistant Director Lalla V. Morris, who led the development of Procurement 101.
business with the City of Houston, businesses must register for a vendor number.
practices in process and strategies for increasing one’s chances of success in the bid or proposal submission process.
– Understanding ITBs, RFQs, and RFPs: An overview of the different methods used to procure goods and services for the City.
– Bid Submission and the Evaluation Process: Describes what happens after the City of Houston receives a bid/ proposal. Follow bids/proposals as they are triaged, scored, shortlisted, and awarded.
– Maximizing Pre-Bid/Pre-Proposal Meetings: Examines the purpose, process, and objectives of the pre-bid/ pre-proposal meeting and how vendors can maximize participation. – Structuring Your Team: Explains the different contractor roles on a project (prime contractor, subcontractor, joint venture), and how to structure one’s team. – Bidding on Contracts: Presents best
– Contract Terms and Conditions: A review of the typical terms and conditions of a City contract (nonexhaustive list). The Procurement 101 Portal also includes a resource link that connects users with important contacts, a list of frequently asked questions, and to portions of the training videos available for download.
“When users sign up for training, they will have access to short videos that are easy to understand and that can be replayed anytime. We encourage businesses to use this tool to their advantage, whether new to contracting or as a refresher for those who already do business with the City. Procurement 101 was developed in line with OBO’s mission of cultivating a diverse and competitive economic environment,” she said. Each training video, which runs for 2 to 12 minutes, covers the following: – Business Registration: Before doing
FREE, 24/7 ACCESS: The Procurement 101 Tool is available via on-demand videos and accessible through houstontx.gov/OBO under Quick Links.
DID YOU KNOW? “Houston” was the first word heard ➡ from the moon. Fewer Americans know
that “Houston, Tranquility Base here” were the first words man directed to mission control from the moon. NRG Astrodome, known as the Hous➡ ton Astrodome, is the world’s first multi-
purpose, domed sports stadium. It was named the “Eighth Wonder of the World” during its prime, and before it was closed in 1999.
There is a burping bubble in the Buffa➡lo Bayou. If you’ve noticed that mysterious red button on the Preston Street Bridge, press it to “burp” the Buffalo Bayou.
has a subtropical climate with Houston is the largest American city ➡overHouston ➡ 204 days of sunshine, on average, without formal zoning laws. Building codes each year.
are regulated by local ordinances.
