Nov - Dec 2020 | Insights to Opportunity
CALENDAR OF EVENTS Procurement Basics for Contractors Course: Every Tuesday at 1:00 PM, January 12 -February 16, 2021. Learn to establish your business for success in government procurement. This training course contains six (6) 1-hour online modules and is designed to enhance the competitive contracting skills of new or existing contractors who sell goods, services and construction service to government agencies or large corporate customers. This course is FREE. Register at tinyurl.com/pbfc2021. Details: Dr. Porscha Jackson at 832-393-0935 or Porscha.jackson@houstontx.gov.
Virtual Pre-Certification Workshop: Every first and third Tuesday of each month (except for holidays and City closures) at 2:00 PM. The workshop addresses certification requirements, procedures and provides business owners with information on how to do business with the City of Houston. To sign up for the virtual workshop, please visit our Pre-Certification Workshop and Q&A Signups page at www.houstontx. gov/obo/registrations.html. This workshop is FREE. For assistance with the certification process or questions, call 832-393-060.
www.houstontx.gov/obo | Page 9
SMALL-ROBINSON: Houston native proud of city’s good people Continued from page 3 people to know?
A: I am a native Houstonian. What
I like about Houston is we are basically good people that believe in helping others. We also have a lot of different forms of entertainment, different types of restaurants, and plenty of places to shop.
Q
: Are there any other fun facts about you that you’d like to share?
DIRECTOR: OBO offers procurement assistance Continued from page 1 for 2021 that we believe will enhance your business development. We have listened to your requests and have made note of common pain points you have highlighted in the process of growing your business. Resoundingly, local businesses have requested assistance with navigating the City’s procurement processes, in particular, step-by-step assistance with submitting bids/proposals. In response, starting in January, OBO is hosting Procurement Basics for Contractors, a 6-week online training course “designed to enhance the competitive contracting skills of new or existing contractors who sell goods, services and construction services to government agencies or
large corporate customers.” In addition, we will roll out an on-demand procurement assistance portal, accessible online 24/7, to demystify and provide guidance with navigating procurement processes. These tools will be especially helpful as businesses seek to diversify and expand their customer base to include governmental entities, as well as the private sector. Lastly, as usual, I encourage you to stay healthy and safe, and to continue to prioritize the health and safety of your employees and customers. I want to wish everyone a happy holiday and a healthy and prosperous new year!
Marsha E. Murray was appointed by Mayor Sylvester Turner and confirmed by City Council to serve as the Director of the City of Houston’s Office of Business Opportunity (OBO) in April 2020, after having served as OBO’s Interim Director.
A: I’m a great-grandmother of two and grandmother of six. I’m 5 feet tall.
WHO WE ARE Insights to Opportunity is produced by the City of Houston’s Office of Business Opportunity (OBO). OBO is committed to cultivating a competitive and diverse economic environment in the City of Houston by promoting the success of small businesses and developing Houston’s workforce, with special emphasis on historically underutilized businesses and disenfranchised individuals. Executive Editors Marsha E. Murray, Esq. Lalla V. Morris, Esq. Managing Editors Pearl K. Cajoles Enzo Mungu Copy Editor Dr. Porscha Jackson Contributing Writers Sherese Branch Julie Garay Niyonsaba Magnifique Damita Roberts Angel Rodriguez Any information in this newsletter does not constitute the Office of Business Opportunity’s endorsement of any business or organization. If you have a story idea, e-mail pearl.cajoles@ houstontx.gov. Follow @HoustonOBO on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and @HoustontxOBO on YouTube.
