January 06, 2014

GNEMSDC 2014 Upcoming Events
GNEMSDC 2014 Upcoming Events
GNEMSDC 2014 Upcoming Events
Growing to Scale Development Workshop
The Growing to Scale Workshop is a program for small business owners to expand and improve their businesses exponentially.  The workshop will deliver powerful strategies for increasing sales by joint ventures, strategic alliances; results based marketing and other proven strategies.  The Growing to Scale Development Workshop is the blueprint to grow your business quickly and safely. Gain knowledge from a faculty that has actually grown successful businesses and can help you grow yours.  
 
The Growing to Scale program will run for two and half days from Tuesday, February 18 through Thursday February 20.  The program will take place at our MBE Training Room at 333 State Street in Bridgeport, CT.  Please mark your calendars.  Learn more here.   
Special Congratulations!
 A note from Gary Stiffler, outgoing MBE Input Committee Chairman
Lori Johnson, CommVerge Marketing.
 
First of all I want to congratulate Lori Johnson for being unanimously elected to fill the MBEIC Chair position for the GNEMSDC. Lori's active role with the MBEIC Executive committee along with being a Board Members has demonstrated her commitment to supporting and representing all MBE's. I know she will be successful in her new responsibilities.
I also know she will have the support of the entire MBE community as I did during my two years. I was blessed in following Carlton Oneal who had established many policies and procedures especially through the merger of the NEMSDC and CMSDC.
Finally I want to thank everyone that supported me during my term, especially those in the GNEMSDC office and fellow MBE's.
Gary Stiffler
CEO/President
The MATLET Group, LLC
Exclusive Article on YUMI EcoSolutions, Inc.
 
CT Lottery Corporation's just published and article on page 3 about the Green Initiatives of
Yumi EcoSolutions, Inc, Please read the article here. 
2014 Supplier and Corporate Award Nominations  
Corporate Awards Nominations

It is time for MBEs to identify Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council (GNEMSDC) corporate members and their staff members who have exhibited outstanding efforts in developing business opportunities within their companies for council-certified MBEs.  It is also time for corporate members to nominate outstanding MBEs for Supplier of the Year Awards.  It is an honor to both corporate and MBE nominees. to be recognized by their customers and their peers.

The winners of these prestigious awards will be announced at our Annual Awards Banquet on Tuesday, May 06 at the Aqua Turf Club, Plantsville, Connecticut

The following awards are open for nomination:
* Corporation of the Year (NMSDC National Member)
* Corporation of the Year (GNEMSDC Regional/Local Member)
* Buyer of the Year
* Advocate of the Year
* MBE Empowerment Award 

Please click on the following links to view forms:
2014 Corporate Award Nominations Form  
 NMSDC SAVE THE DATEs for 2014
  
Corporate Member of the Week - The City of Boston
The City of Boston has an estimated population of 636,000 residents. It is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the largest city in New England. In the greater metropolitan area of Boston there are over 4.5 million people making the metropolitan area the 10th largest metro area in the United States.   Boston is home to some of the most well respected companies, health care organizations and institutions of higher education in the world and the World Champion Boston Red Sox. 
MBE Member of the Week - Accutron
Accutron provides the following services, please click on each sector to find out more.  Accutron is one of the fastest growing MBEs in Greater New England.  If you are a corporate member looking for a high quality manufacturing firm with solid quality systems in place, Accutron is a firm for you to consider.
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: 
  • February 12, 2014 - Kickoff for the Diverse Supplier Development Academy
    (DSDA) program in Hartford.  This is a collaborative effort between the DSDA and the GNEMSDC.  The programs's purpose is to assist Category 1 MBEs achieve more rapid growth with the help of corporate and academic mentors.  
  • February 18-20 - "Growing to Scale" MBE Education program to take place at the MBE Training Center at 333 State Street Bridgeport CT.  The Growing to Scale Workshop is a two and half day program that will help MBEs become more profitable.  In addition the second day will focus on the important topic of strategic alliances and acquisitions.  Save the Dates!  More to follow.
  • May 6, 2014 - GNEMSDC Annual Awards Gala, Aqua Turf, Southington CT
  • June 9, 2014- GNEMSDC MA Golf Outing, Ferncroft Country Club, Danvers MA
  • July 11, 2014- GNEMSDC CT Golf Outing, Lyman Orchards, Middleton, CT
  • September 30-October 1, 2014- GNEMSDC Expo and Conference, Mohegan Sun Casino and Resort, Uncasville, CT
Invitation for Bid  
  • Invitation for bid, Project Name: Turner Construction 
  • Invitation for bid, Project Name: Turner Construction 
  • Invitation to bid Project Name:  Sasco Creek/Hidden Brook Housing
    Location:1655 Post Road East, Westport, CT                                                
    New Construction:  
    13 New Multi- Unit wood framed Residential Buildings and Community Building.  Construction will be in two phases.  Base bid no wage rates, provide add alternate for residential wage rates.  Bid Packages:  Sitework, Asphalt Paving, Sidewalks, Fencing, Landscaping, Concrete, Masonry, Rough Carpentry, Finish Carpentry, Insulation, Roofing, Siding, Gutters, Doors & Hardware, Windows, Drywall, Flooring, Paint, Cabinets, Window Blinds, Plumbing, Fire Protection, HVAC, and Electrical.  Bids can be faxed to 203-881-8372 or emailed to the following            Contact:    
    Dawn Lang, Bid Coordinator,    dawnlang@haynesconstruction.com   203-888-8124  
  • Invitation to bid for Deconstruction Training for Residents of the Housing Authority of the City of Bridgeport, and Request for Proposal (RFP)
  • CT Lottery Bid -Submission Requirements
  • CT Lottery has an RFP for drawing services
Opportunities
  • The Housing Authority of the City of Bridgeport Request for Proposals (RFP)
    Security Consultant Services, Solicitation Number: 054-PD-13-S.  
    The Housing Authority of the City of Bridgeport (HACB) is currently seeking Request for Proposals from qualified Security Consultants. Proposals will be received until January 20, 2014 @ 3:00 PM.  A pre-proposal conference will be held at 150 Highland Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06604 on January 9, 2014, @ 9:00 a.m.  Although attendance is not mandatory, submitting a proposal without attending conference is not in the best interest of HACB.  A complete copy of the solicitation can be obtained from the Contracting Office at 150 Highland Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06604 beginning on December 23, 2013 @ 1:00 p.m. Additional questions should be emailed only to Caroline Sanchez at: bids@bridgeporthousing.org  no later than January 13, 2014 @ 3:00 p.m.  All answers to the on BHA's Website: www.bridgeporthousing.org.  Please visit our website for contracting opportunities.
  • The Housing Authority of the City of Bridgeport Request for Proposal (RFP)
    Computer Training Services, Solicitation Number:  059-RS-13-S.   
    The Housing Authority of the City of Bridgeport (HACB) is currently seeking proposals from computer training firms and/or individuals to assist HACB in providing computer training to public housing authority residents. All proposals are to be submitted on JANUARY 20, 2014 @ 3:00 PM Local Time. A pre-proposal conference will be held at 150 HIGHLAND AVE, BRIDGEPORT, CT 06604 JANUARY 9, 2014, @ 10:00 a.m. Although attendance is not mandatory, submitting a proposal for the project without attending conference is not in the best interest of HACB. A complete copy of the Solicitation may be obtained from the Executive Office at 150 Highland Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06604 beginning on December 23, 2013 @ 1:00 p.m. Additional questions should be emailed only to Caroline Sanchez at, bids@bridgeporthousing.org no later than January 13, 2014 @ 3:00 p.m. All answers to the questions will be posted on HACB's Website: www.bridgeporthousing.org. Please visit our website for contracting opportunities.

  • Department of Transportation has a job opportunity for Transportation Public Assistant Administrator.  The position salary range is: $106,646 to $145,407 annual.  The closing date is December 20, 2013.  Interested candidates must apply for the position by sending a cover letter, resume, CT State application (CT-HR-12), and CT State employees must include their last two performance evaluations to:  Doreen Rossi, Principal Human Resources Specialist, Department of Transportation by email at doreen.rossi@ct.gov, or by fax at 860-594-3369.  Learn more here.
  • Haynes Construction is and AA/EEO Employer and is seeking candidates for the following open positions: 
    • Project Manager
    • Project Superintendent
    • Construction Estimator
              Full benefits including medical/vision/dental/life and 401(k).  Learn more here. 
              Send resume to mroy@haynes-group.com.  For any questions, please contact this office.
  • Xpedx International Paper is an Equal Opportunity Employer and currently has 2 openings in their Wilmington, MA facility.  Those interested in job opportunity should apply online at:www.xpedx.com
    • Warehouse Worker 2nd Shift
    • Truck Driver
  • CT Lottery Corporation has openings for the following positions:
    • Lottery Sales Representative 1 
      Location: Various statewide
      Salary: $48,487.00 starting annual salary                                                                                             Only those CLC applications received by Friday, December 20, 2013, close of business will be considered.  Learn more here. 
    • Administrative Assistant (Office Management)
      Salary: $50,838.00 starting annual salary.                                                                                      Only those CLC applications received by Friday, December 20, 2013, close of business will be considered.  Learn more here.   
  • Interested candidates for each position must submit a CLC application, available at www.ctlottery.org, along with a cover letter and resume to: Connecticut Lottery Corporation, Human Resources, 777 Brook Street, Rocky Hill, CT 06067; faxed to (860) 713-2670; or e-mail to HR@ctlottery.org. 
FYI
And Finally...
Change is in the air.  This year marks the beginning of what you can accurately call, the new NMSDC. There are several changes that are taking effect now that will impact all national and local corporate members as well as all certified MBEs.  One change that we are already see impacting of is the elimination of the "Reciprocal" certification status.  Before this year, any certified MBE operating outside of Greater New England could apply for reciprocal status with the GNEMSDC to access our services. Under the new NMSDC, MBEs are no longer required to get "reciprocally" certified.  Once you are certified - you are certified and that certification is recognized  by all national and local corporate members, regardless of where they are.  This provides some advantages to MBEs who work with multiple regional councils.  But for the regional councils, it does provide a challenge on how we service MBEs outside our region who have not paid anything to the regional affiliate for services.  Right now, there is no uniformity in how regional councils are planning to provide these services, or how much they are going to charge for those services. 

The GNEMSDC is fortunate to be one of several regional affiliates that host and manage MBDA Business Centers.  In fact, we manage two MBDA Centers - one in Boston and one in Bridgeport.  Our plan for the former reciprocal MBEs and any MBE located outside of Greater New England who want to participate in our region is for those MBEs to become "clients" of the GNEMSDC MBDA Center.  As a Center client, you will receive the following services in addition to information on our local corporate membership:

1. A business development plan for your business that the MBDA Center can support;
2. Registration on the online MBDA Boston/Bridgeport Smart Track procurement portal;
3. Registration on the portal listing daily federal and state contracts jointly managed by the MBDA Business Center for your company;
4.  Access to free business consulting services where there are specific contract and financing opportunities;
5. Review of your existing capability statement, or the creation of a new capability statement;
6. Participation in the MBE CEO Round Table - a forum for MBE CEOs to discuss current business trends;
7. Support with our U.S. Department of Commerce and MBDA partners to help your company go global; and
8. Full participation in the GNEMSDC/Google marketing program.

For these additional services, former reciprocal MBEs, or any MBE located outside of the GNEMSDC region, will be able to access these services for a fee.  For MBEs under $10 million in annual sales, the fee is $500 per year.  For MBEs with sales over $10 million, the fee is $1,000 per year.

For MBEs located within GNEMSDC who want to participate in the MBDA program, you are welcome to join us with no up-front  fee.  But for "domestic" GNEMSDC MBEs, there is a fee for successful transactions which is limited to three (3) percent of the transaction value.

This new pricing for reciprocal and MBE services takes effect immediately.  I believe that this program will provide great value to MBEs around the country and will also assist our domestic MBEs with their own growth strategies.

There is more to come on additional NMSDC changes. Stay tuned.

In your service

Dr. Fred
Fred