Florida Department of Management Services



Conference Call Meeting

Meeting Minutes

Tuesday, June 27, 2017

Members in Attendance

• Cheryl Gonzalez (University of North Florida)

• Michelle Andrewin (Palm Beach County School District)

• Sherod Halliburton (Manatee Community Federal Credit Union)

• Mariana Lugaro (United Data Technologies)

• Barbara Melvin (First Florida Integrity Bank)

• Augusto Sanabria (Prospera)

• Deborah Thompson (Deborah K. Thompson Consultants)

• Brian Williams (T&G Constructors)

Staff in Attendance

• Hue Reynolds, Executive Director, Office of Supplier Diversity (OSD), Department of Management Services (DMS)

• Donna Williams, Marketing Manager, OSD, DMS

• Bre Stephens, Marketing Assistant, OSD, DMS

Public in Attendance

• None

Call to Order

• 2:05 p.m.

Public Comments

• None

Presenter

• Brian Williams, Business Development Manager, T&G Constructors delivered a presentation on disparity study challenges in Florida.

• In this presentation, Mr. Williams gave an overview of what a disparity study is, the data used in these studies, factors that are considered in determining whether a disparity exists and examples of recent disparity studies done in Florida over the last five years.

• Mr. Williams shined light on challenges these studies face, such as agencies trying to collaborate on the consultant agreements to cut the costs of the studies. By teaming up, Mr. Williams explained possible problems could take place, including prolonging the study because the consultants must examine multiple processes, vendors, types of contracts, and thereby increasing the costs to obtain the relevant data in time.

• Another challenge these studies face is that the data collected is not always sufficient because few agencies have a centralized bidder system to track contracts and subcontracts.

• Some disparity studies found that many small businesses get negated during the prequalification process because of the financial burden of obtaining audited financial data and lack the appropriate bond to be able to bid.

Open Discussion

• Following the presentation, Mariana Lugaro expressed that some small businesses can outgrow district requirements to participate in solicitation opportunities. Ms. Lugaro asked Mr. Williams if he foresees districts moving toward implementating mentor protégé programs. Mr. Williams stated that he did see districts moving in that direction, and some districts such as Miami-Dade County have drafted such programs, but have not implemented them. Mr. Williams also discussed businesses outgrowing the economic qualifications set by small business programs.

• Michelle Andrewin shared that Palm Beach has a Mentor and Protégé program that allows both firms to be viewed as a small business enterprise even if one has outgrown the qualifications to be considered as such.

• During the discussion, Mr. Williams also shined light on preference programs explaining that these programs help level the scoring process; which in return gives a more diverse overall selection of firms.

• The council also inquired about ownership qualifications, including whether the individual who has majority ownership must have the appropriate licenses. Mr. Williams informed the council that the requirements of ownership and licensing differ amongst the agencies. Ms. Andrewin commented that Palm Beach County School District requires an individual to have majority ownership, but the investment into the company and the degree of participation in the day-to-day operation is taken in to considerationas well.

• Chair Gonzalez also inquired about the Florida Statutes on what constitutes a minority/woman owned business. Director Reynolds explained that the majority owner must also possess the appropriate license in order to achieve certification with OSD, and that Florida does not have a preference program.

• Several council members inquired about minority businesses joint venturing with out-of-state minority businesses. Mr. Williams shared that Florida businesses can enter into joint venture agreements, but that businesses outside of Florida must also register with the state. Mr. Williams cautioned that small businesses should consider whether the public agency will allow for the newly registered entity to receive credit on the books for the experience of the firm enters into the agreement. Deborah Thompson commented that during these attempts to joint venture, the prequalification sometimes negate the subcontractors from getting on the project.

• Due to the time, Chair Gonzalez recommended that all questions and concerns be sent to Director Reynolds.

News Articles and Links

• For the PowerPoint presentation and all other supporting documents visit

New Business

• Chair Gonzalez indicated that the Research and Emerging Trends Committee can consider the consistency of the certification processes.

Announcements

• None

Next Scheduled Council Meeting: July 5, 2017.

The meeting was adjourned at 2:59 pm.

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