Nov - Dec 2020 | Insights to Opportunity
www.houstontx.gov/obo | Page 3
EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT: BARBARA SMALL-ROBINSON By: Sherese Branch Barbara Small-Robinson, administrative associate in the Office of Business Opportunity’s Certification division, has been with the City of Houston for 30 years. She has spent 17 years with the Houston Police Department and the past 13 years with OBO.
Q
: How does your position with the city impact the small business community?
A: I am the first person they deal
with when applying for certification. I do the initial screening when they first submit their application.
Q
: What is your favorite part of working within your division?
A: I like to do the initial screening,
sometimes it is like putting together a puzzle when trying to understand
the structure of a company. I also like the satisfaction when a company is approved and sent to the certified firm directory and knowing I had a part in it.
Q
: What advice would you give to a small business that wants to do business with the City?
A: Do your research first and go to
our website at www.houstontx.gov/ obo. There is a lot of information there. Also watch the video of the pre-certification workshop to understand the program. Also go to www.purchasing.houstontx. gov. There is a lot of information on there about how to do business with the City and to get your vendor number.
Q
: What do you do outside of the office, as a hobby or in your leisure time?
A: I like to read, crochet, play
games on my computer, and spend time with my family.
Q
: Are you from the area? If so, what do you like about the Houston area? If not, where are you from and what are some highlights of your previous location that you would like Go to SMALL-ROBINSON, page 9
PROCUREMENT: Best practices include active networking, trade memberships Continued from page 1 and requests for proposals issued by city buyers. Interested contractors are encouraged to visit the SPD website at https://purchasing.houstontx.gov to search for open bids. In general, city buyers and procurement managers suggest the following best practices to secure work with the City: participate in networking forums, join trade associations and professional groups and attend pre-bid workshops to speak with buyers and to meet prime contractors. Attending pre-bid meetings is necessary for a firm’s interest to be known to other prime contractors. “This is the best opportunity to get your name out there and let the primes know the work you can do as a subcontractor,” said Dr. Porscha Jackson, OBO’s business development manager. Virtual workshops and events are not only a great way to network but they can
assist in simplifying the procurement process and answer any questions on conducting business with the City. Additionally, the weekly OBO e-blast provides information about pre-bid workshops, networking events and upcoming bids. To sign up for the e-blast, send the following information to OBOSC@houstontx.gov: first and last name, company name, phone number and email address. An event that should not be overlooked is the Meet the Buyer Procurement Forum. This annual networking event, hosted by OBO, draws together vendors, prime contractors, industry professionals, business support organizations and city purchasing agents. Meet the Buyer occurs annually in December; however, due to pandemic restrictions, it was held virtually this year. In accompaniment with Meet the Buyer, OBO will offer a Procurement Basics for Contractors course in January 2021 for interested vendors who want insight in
governmental bidding and contracting. For more information, contact Porscha Jackson at porscha.jackson@houstontx. gov or 832-393-0935. Lastly, social media can be a great resource for aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned small business owners who want to stay current on the latest procurement offerings and workshops. OBO actively posts invitations and announcements on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. The posts range from upcoming webinars, virtual procurement workshops, free programs and services, continuing education and more. Overall, OBO is committed to assisting small businesses and entrepreneurs interested in understanding governmental procurement to navigate this process and to ensure equal opportunities to do business with the City. For more information about all OBO has to offer, visit www.houstontx. gov/obo/.
