Florida Department of Management Services



Conference Call MeetingMeeting MinutesWednesday, February 6, 2019Members in AttendanceJay Narang (Tech Army, LLC)Julius Davis (VoltAir Consulting Engineers)Janet Harris-Lange (TaskMasters of Florida, Inc.)Marianna Lugaro (United Data Technologies)Deborah Thompson (Deborah K. Thompson Consultants)Christine Yerkes (Yerkes South, Inc.)Staff in AttendanceDonna Williams, Executive Director, Office of Supplier Diversity (OSD), Department of Management Services (DMS)Public in AttendanceMelody Thelwell, Chief Procurement Officer for the Miami-Dade County Public Schools Procurement Management ServicesCall to OrderChair Narang called the meeting to order at 2:03 p.m. A quorum was not met.AgendaThere was no action taken on this item as there was no mentarian Melody Thelwell, Chief Procurement Officer for Miami-Dade County Public Schools (MDCPS) Procurement Management Services shared information with the Council on the findings and recommendations from phase two of their disparity study on goods and services. It was recommended that MDCPS set race and gender conscious goals and implement them similar to the strategy of their 2014 disparity study on the construction industry. Ms. Thelwell shared information on several resources MDCPS provides to assist small businesses in becoming more knowledgeable about the procurement process and building relationships with government agencies and other key stakeholders. These resources supply the small business vendor community with the tools needed to compete in the market. These resources include targeted matchmaking workshops, supplier development programs, and a small business academy.In response to questions from Council members, Ms. Thelwell informed the Council that MDCPS is working to streamline the certification process as there is reciprocity and inter-local agreements with other certifying bodies and the State of Florida’s Office of Supplier Diversity. She explained how her office is working to include feedback from small businesses on trainings in addition to feedback on the processes for certification for vendors that are not local.New BusinessNoneCouncil Chair/Vice Chair/Member Update Chair Narang shared with the Council that he attended his first Florida Small Business Development Center (FSBDC) Advisory Board meeting. During this first meeting the funding of the SBDC was discussed. SBDC is funded by SBA, the State of Florida, and other private funding sources. SBDC’s budget was impacted by the government shutdown, and members of the SBDC Advisory Board have been asked to advocate and promote SBDC’s work. Committee Reports The Legislative Committee met January 9, 2019. On behalf of Committee Chair Thompson, Council Chair Narang reported that the committee is organizing information regarding the various certification programs across the state.The Strategic and State Comprehensive Planning Committee had no updates, but members were encouraged to join the committee if interested. Chair Harris-Lange reported the first Research and Emerging Trends Committee meeting of 2019 will take place on Feb. 12. The committee is looking to address the aspects within the scope of work. She also encouraged members to join the committee.News Articles and LinksNoneAnnouncementsDirector Williams informed the committee about House Bill 477 titled Small Business Microfinancing and encouraged the members to review it.Next Scheduled Council Meeting: April 3, 2019. The meeting was adjourned at 2:50 p.m. ................
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