September 24, 2012

The mission of the Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council is to significantly increase business relationships between our corporate members and our certified MBEs.  We believe that minority business development is a key component of reducing poverty, unemployment, increasing wealth, and integrating American society.  You are receiving this email in order to keep you abreast of developments with the Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council, Supplier Diversity Issues and Minority Business Development.  If you like what you read please share internally and externally.  Upcoming Events There are several events coming up on our calendar that are designed specifically for MBEs to learn about corporate opportunities.    We know how busy everyone's schedule is, but these are events often hosted by our corporate members with the expressed purpose of finding out more about you and your business with the ultimate aim, to make you a valuable supplier to their companies.  Here are some events you should consider: 2012 Upcoming Events   September - Interise "StreetWise MBA" Boston program is starting this month.  The GNEMSDC will offer a scholarship for half the cost of tuition for a certified MBE interested in attending.  For registration and more information about the program visit,www.interise.org.   September 25 - Minuteman Trucks Open House to celebrate the opening of their new facility.  Congratulations and much success. September 29 - Joslin Latino Diabetes Initiative Inaugural Benefit Concert and Reception.  Click Here for More Information.  The GNEMSDC is proud to support improving the health of all residents in Boston. October 2 through November 10 - Turner School of Construction Management, Co-Sponsored by Liberty Mutual and the Massachusetts Supplier Diversity Office.  Training will take place every Tuesday and Thursday from 5:00 pm to 7:30 pm over the six week period beginning October 2.  Please contact John Fitzpatrick at john.b.fitzpatrick@state.ma.us to register and get more details.   October 15 - Meet and Greet at Johnson and Wales Culinary Art Museum, 10:00 am to noon.  This is a collaborative effort with several Rhode Island organizations including the Small Business Administration, CVS-Caremark, RBS Citizens Bank, and Johnson and Wales.  All are invited. October 22 - St Francis Hospital Supplier Diversity Vendor Fair, Hartford, CT  October 28-31 - NMSDC Conference and Business Opportunity Fair - Denver, CO.  For more information visit www.nmsdc.org.   October 30 - CBIA "Shaping Connecticut's Future: 2012 Manufacturing Policy Forum" 7:45-11:30 am at the Legislative Office Building, Rooms 2c and 2D, 300 Capitol Avenue, Hartford.  For information and registration, contact Adam Ney at adam.ney@cbia.com or 860-244-1933.    November 15 - Supplier Diversity Best Practices  Day at Fenway Park, Boston, 8:00 am to 11:30 am.  Join us for this joint meeting of MBEs and corporate members to demonstrate case studies of the best practices of minority supplier development in New England.  There is limited space for this meeting.  Contact Joanne Wang to register at jwang@bostonmbdacenter.com. Opportunities at Bridgeport Housing Authority The Housing Authority of the City of Bridgeport Request for Proposal (RFP)  Banking Service Solicitation No:  025-FIN-12-S Date:  September 17, 2012 The Housing Authority of the City of Bridgeport (HACB) is soliciting proposals from banks and other financial institutions for the provision of banking services.   All proposals shall be submitted by Monday, October 15, 2012 at 4:30 p.m. to Mr. Eugene Sumter, Chief Procurement Officer, 150 Highland Ave, Bridgeport, CT  06604 or 301 Bostwick Ave, Bridgeport, CT  06605.  A Pre-Proposal Conference is scheduled for Wednesday, September 26, 2010 at 10 a.m. at 150 Highland Ave, Bridgeport, CT 06604.  Although not mandatory, it is strongly recommended, as the conference will offer candidates an opportunity to discuss the needed services with HACB staff.  The HACB reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and to waive any minor informality in the proposal process. Late proposals will not be accepted. A complete copy of the RFP including proposed contract forms shall be available after 1 p.m., Monday, September 24, 2012 at the Purchasing Department, 301 Bostwick Ave, Bridgeport, CT 06605, Attention:  Ms. Caroline Sanchez (203) 337-8820. Solicitation No:  038-FIN-12-S Date:  September 16, 2012 The Housing Authority of the City of Bridgeport (BHA) is soliciting proposals from accounting firms to audit the accounts and records of the Authority for the two years ending September 30th2012 & 2013.  The audit must be performed in accordance with the Single Audit Act of 1984, HUD Audit Guide for Audits of Public Housing Agencies by Independent Public Accountants (Handbook 7476.3), generally accepted auditing standards, and OMB Circular No. A - 133.   Proposals shall be received no later than 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, October 10, 2012.  Late proposals will not be accepted. A Pre-Proposal Conference is scheduled for 10 a.m., September 27, 2012 at 150 Highland Ave, Bridgeport, CT  06604.  All proposers are encouraged to attend to better understand the intent of the BHA. A complete copy of the RFP including proposed contract forms shall be available after 1 p.m., Tuesday, September 18, 2012 at the Purchasing Department, 301 Bostwick Ave, Bridgeport, CT 06605, Attention:  Ms. Caroline Sanchez (203) 337-8820. The Housing Authority of the City of Bridgeport Invitation for Bid (IFB)  Interior and Exterior Renovations to BHA-OWNED PROPERTIES Solicitation No:  039-PD-12-S Date:  September 20, 2012 The Housing Authority of the City of Bridgeport (BHA) is requesting sealed bids from qualified contractors to perform interior and exterior renovations to the following properties: 64 Charron Street, 188 Monroe Street, 126-130 Linwood Ave., 244-246 Olive Street. All bids must be received by Friday, September 28, 2012 at 301 Bostwick Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06605, at which time and place all bids will be publicly opened and read aloud.  HACB will be accepting individual bids for each property as follows: 64 Charron Street - 10:00 AM on 9.28.2012          188 Monroe Street - 10:30 AM on 9.28.2012          126-130 Linwood Ave - 11:00 AM on 9.28.2012 244-246 Olive Street - 11:30 AM on 9.28.2012          No bids will be accepted after the designated time listed above. A Pre-Bid/Site Walk Through is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m., Monday, September 24, 2012 and will be conducted in the following order: 64 Charron Street 188 Monroe Street 126-130 Linwood Ave 244-246 Olive Street A complete set of the bid documents to include contract and technical specifications will be available after 1 p.m., Friday, September 21, 2012 at the Purchasing Department, 301 Bostwick Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06604. Attn:  Ms. Caroline Sanchez, (203) 337-8820. Congratulations Environmental Integrity   Congratulations to Environmental Integrity, of Chicopee, MA on being awarded theirHUBZone certification and the prestigious R2/RIOS certification.  Click here for their press release The Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HUBZone) program helps small businesses in urban and rural communities gain preferential access to federal procurement opportunities. These preferences go to small businesses that obtain HUBZone certification in part by employing staff who live in a HUBZone. The company must also maintain a "principal office" in one of these specially designated areas. GNEMSDC Business Opportunity Conference and Expo Survey We would greatly appreciate it if you would take five minutes to complete the attached survey that asks for feedback on the GNEMSDC Business Opportunity Conference and Expo that took place September 12 through 14 at the MGM Grand at Foxwoods.  Your feedback is very important to help us improve our service to you. Thank you. Click Here for Survey

And Finally... Catching your breath is hard when you are running at a sprint.  But you cannot sprint a marathon. Business is a marathon.  In fact, it is longer than a marathon.  It is important for entrepreneurs to pace themselves even when it seems there are endless phone calls and emails to return, RFPs to respond to, banks to meet with, customer problems to solve, internal personnel issues to deal with and on and on.  We must learn to slow down. Our business is not a 24 hour news cycle.  You should be in this for the long haul.  Slow down. Think about your long-term goals and strategies even if it seems your pants are on fire.  This is a message not only to you, it is a message to myself. In your service, Dr. Fred