Supplier Diversity Digest: A newsletter from the Office of Supplier Diversity

April 2018

Office of Supplier Diversity Feature Article 1. Over the last five years, how have you grown and evolved your supplier diversity program? 2. What strategies and resources have been most useful in improving opportunities for diverse suppliers? 3. What is your vision for Florida's Supplier Diversity program over the next five years and what steps are you taking to bring your vision to life? Hue Reynolds, Executive Director of the Office of Supplier Diversity, answers these three questions in the Women's Enterprise Magazine new web column highlighting expert voices. You can read Hue’s responses here .

Save the Date Spring has sprung, which means summer is right around the corner. Save these dates for upcoming Supplier Diversity Exchanges, and be sure to check the OSD Events webpage often for updates. July 24, 2018 : Orlando Supplier Diversity Exchange, Live Oak Center – University of Central Florida August 23, 2018: Broward College Supplier Diversity Day, Omni Auditorium – Broward College North Campus

OSD signed an Ambassador Agreement with the City of Gainesville during the Gainesville Supplier Diversity Exchange on March 8, 2018.

Small Business Update Provided by the Florida SBDC Network Florida PTAC Program Manager Jane Dowgwillo shares why she loves the Florida SBDC. To learn more about SBDC Day, click here.

Did you know the Florida SBDC Network is one of 63 SBDC networks in the country that collectively serves nearly one million aspiring and existing small business owners each year? On Wednesday, March 21, 2018, the Florida SBDC Network joined SBDCs across the nation to celebrate the second annual SBDC Day. SBDC Day is a national movement to help raise awareness about the service offering and impact of America’s SBDCs – the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) largest business assistance program. On SBDC Day, the Florida SBDC Network celebrated by sharing small business success stories and the notable impact the network has fostered in communities across the state. This special day was also celebrated through social media, public relations, and online and in-person workshops and events.

Provided by the Florida Advisory Council on Small and Minority Business Development   The Florida Advisory Council on Small and Minority Business Development continues to support OSD’s Supplier Diversity Exchange events. In fact, council member Kathey Porter, with the University of Florida's Small Business & Vendor Diversity Relations Division, collaborated with OSD to bring the first-ever Supplier Diversity Exchange to Gainesville on Thursday, March 8. 2018. With 115 attendees, the inaugural event was a success in uniting government buyers with small businesses like never before in the Gainesville-area.

The Office of Supplier Diversity and Veterans Florida work together to encourage veteran-owned businesses to get certified. Veterans Florida recently developed a new webpage to share the benefits of a business completing the state’s certification process. Likewise, the Office of Supplier Diversity encourages veterans to apply for the Veterans Florida Entrepreneurship Program as they seek help starting a business.

Small Business Snippet A Tip from the Experts Have you ever wondered how you can fine-tune and possibly increase the relevant notifications you receive regarding State of Florida solicitations? Look no further, MyFloridaMarketPlace (MFMP) has the answer for you! It’s time for you to review the commodity codes selected in your Vendor Information Portal account. MFMP uses an internationally-accepted and standardized code set known as the United Nations Standard Products and Services Code (UNSPSC). These codes enhances the state’s ability to target vendors for solicitation notifications. The MFMP team recommends that you regularly review and update your selected commodity codes to reflect the products and/or services that your company provides. Having the most up-to-date and relevant commodity codes selected in your MFMP VIP account puts you in the best position to receive solicitation notifications most relevant to your business. These free resources are available to guide you: Selecting Commodity Codes: An online training that is designed to assist MFMP vendors in selecting UNSPSC commodity codes to receive notifications of business opportunities. Commodity Code Job Aid: Covers what commodity codes are and how vendors may add them to their MFMP VIP account.

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The content of this newsletter is intended to serve as informational only. It should not be construed as business advice or an endorsement of any particular organization by the Office of Supplier Diversity or the Florida Department of Management Services.