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Our Mission:
It is the policy of The Office of Diversity in Business Practices (ODPB) to provide all persons an equal and fair opportunity to participate in procurement and contracting opportunities sponsored by the District.
Our ultimate goal is to support sustainable growth and economic opportunities for small, women-owned, and minority businesses. School Board Policy 6.143
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Small & Minority-Owned Business' Access to Vast Resources: Dr. King's Dream | |
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January is a time when many of us think about renewal. We either recommit ourselves to something, such as fitness or budgeting, or perhaps we set goals to take on new challenges like learn a language or take up pottery making. January is also the time of the year that our nation celebrates the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Dr. King is known for being a leader of the civil rights movement. However, historians most often focus on civil rights as they relate to voting, getting a fair trial, receiving services, education, and the use of facilities. The right to economic equality has always been equally important to Dr. King. In fact, the official name for the famous August 28, 1963 march in Washington was the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.
Dr. King’s dream was about equality before the law, but it was also about an economic bill of rights for poor black, brown and white workers. In his speech in which he accepted the 1964 Nobel Peace Prize, Dr. King said, “There is nothing new about poverty. What is new, however, is that we have the resources to get rid of it.” Jobs are one way of overcoming poverty, but it can be argued that entrepreneurship can have an even greater impact.
The entrepreneurs that work with the School District of Palm Beach County are some of the most innovative and hardworking people I have ever met. Many of them have lifted themselves and their families out of poverty, and have provided well-paying jobs so others can do the same. They have also introduced new products and services which make many of our lives better.
Today, a few of the things Dr. King said may be labeled as being too progressive. I believe his point, however, was not to create divisions between the affluent and those who are aspiring to lift themselves up, but to allow everyone to participate in the vast resources of this wonderful country. That is the main intent of the School District’s various anti-discrimination and business diversity policies.
As we embark on new commitments for 2023, let’s not overlook the contributions small, woman, and minority-owned businesses have already made as well as the potential they have to bring to life Dr. King’s dream.
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Overall Department Goal: Increase SBE and diverse supplier participation in the district's procurement and contract opportunities from FY 22 - 23.
A. Increase attendance of diverse vendors and subcontractors in outreach, training, and events.
B. Increase bid participation of diverse vendors in SDPBC Goods and Services contract opportunities.
C. Increase bid participation and awarded contracts for diverse subcontractors in SDPBC Construction Projects.
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We are always looking to expand our reach within the South Florida community by working with new small businesses. If you have a small business in the construction industry, or know someone who is launching a new company, we want to connect. Be sure to attend our Construction outreach events, sign up for our emails, and certify your business with our office so you can give yourself the chance to be included. When you certify with our office, we may be able to connect with you an opportunity. With over 35 projects in process and projected worth over $150MM, we have a lot of opportunity to share with our certified SBE community! | |
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Environmental Quality, Incorporated (EQI), founded in 1990, is a Florida-based full-service environmental contractor and consultant providing environmental services to government and private industry.
Our team of professional and licensed geologists, ecologists, biologists,
environmental scientists, hydrogeologists and engineers apply their extensive knowledge and expertise, management, and field experience to assist our clients in the following scientific and land management disciplines:
- Upland, Wetland and Coastal Habitat Restoration
- Exotic and Nuisance Vegetation Control
- Land Management and Restoration Monitoring
- Environmental Site Assessments
- Harvest, Propagation and Installation of Native Plants
- Environmental Field Sampling, Analyses and Monitoring of Groundwater, Soil and Sediment
- Habitat Assessments and Reporting
- Water Resources Planning and Water Quality Monitoring
- Remediation
- Regulatory Compliance and Permitting
Read More.
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Featuring Ground breaking Women in Construction.
To celebrate Women's History Month, the Construction Summit will kick off with a spotlight on women in the South Florida construction industry.
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Are you a subcontractor in the construction industry headquartered in the South Florida region? Would you like to scale your businesses by participating on School District projects? If so, mark your calendar for our Construction Procurement Summit on Thursday, March 2nd from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm where you can network with the prime vendors currently holding contracts with the School District of Palm Beach County. It's a great chance to learn about their prequalification process, so you can be a part of their large scale projects. | |
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We want to hear from you.
Listen and learn is designed to be a two-way learning conversation. We want to share our purchasing process and selection criteria with you while listening to your experiences and concerns about doing business with the School District of Palm Beach County. To achieve this goal, we have assembled a panel of experts to share details of the purchasing process with you. While this is a focused discussion for Hispanic Business owners, we want to hear your questions and comments also. Use the button below to share your thoughts and questions about doing business with the district.
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Are you certified with the Office of Diversity in Business Practices?
If not, take this opportunity to let our Certification Analyst, Nicolas Tarrago, walk you through the process towards certification. It's so important to get certified with our office so we can count you as a successful MWBE or SBE and support your journey to opportunity. When you certify with our office, you may request for a one-on-one support and increase access to opportunities in the District's procurement process. We are also able to count your participation towards the SBE goals with our prime contractors. If you haven't yet gotten certified, register for this training today!
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Are you registered with Periscope S2G?
If not, we want to help you register with Periscope S2G, our online bidding platform. When you register with Periscope S2G, you will start to receive email alerts when relevant bid opportunities open. If you register in advance, it's a great way to start the online bidding process and set yourself up for success.
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Do you know how to submit a bid online in Periscope S2G?
Are you looking to gain a contract with the School District of Palm Beach County? If you are a small business owner who answered yes to either of those questions, this is the training you need! Meet with Goods and Services Specialist, Yolanda Fields, and get your questions answered in this zoom training. Register today and be on your way to submitting effective bid proposals to the district.
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Black History Month is right around the corner! | |
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Join us as we celebrate the most enterprising and hottest local entrepreneurs in the South Florida area....our certified Black-owned businesses!
To promote and celebrate your achievements, we are putting together a special edition newsletter to highlight your business and services. This newsletter will be circulated to our list of over 4,000 recipients. It's a great chance to gain exposure and generate new leads. We will also promote your business on our social media accounts, so be sure to participate! If you are a certified black-owned business, fill out the form below and upload your images. We'll create a stunning listing for you like the sample below, generously shared with us by Immacula Paul of Cellars International Realty.
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Bid Opportunities for Phase 2 are still open. Contact:
Cooper team: estimating@coopercmc.com
ODBP Certification: Nicolas.a.tarrago@palmbeachschools.org
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Bid Opportunities are still open. Contact:
Wharton-Smith: randerson@whartonsmith.com
ODBP Certification: Nicolas.a.tarrago@palmbeachschools.org
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Project Specific Opportunities Closed.
Contact for other project information:
contact Wanda Stan at wstan@hedrickbrothers.com
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Hosted on September 9, 2022
Certification Training with Analyst Nicolas Tarrago.
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Hosted on November 15, 2022
Periscope S2G Registration training with Specialist Yolanda Fields
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Hosted on December 8, 2022
How to Respond effectively to Bids in Periscope S2G with Specialist Yolanda Fields
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Welcome back Samantha Conde Gau!
Previously our Specialist for Outreach and Events, Samantha Conde-Gau returns to the Diversity team after teaching in Palm Beach County's Adult Education Center. She is delighted to return in a new role. Her official title is Business Compliance Specialist for Construction.This new role includes updating information in B2G, participating in selection committee meetings, organizing meet and greets and audits.
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Congratulations Nicolas Tarrago!
Certification Analyst Nicolas Tarrago has recently been promoted to a new role! He will now serve as a Business Compliance Specialist for Construction. His skill as a certification analyst will help him be more successful in his new capacity within our department. A core aspect of this new role is to visit our construction projects and ensure compliance with our regulations. While we await the start of a new certification analyst, Nicolas will remain in his current role as certification analyst while transitioning to being a Business Compliance Specialist.
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Reporting on the Future of Supplier Diversity | |
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In a broad audit of supplier diversity commitments from Fortune 200 companies conducted in 2021, much interest in supporting small, minority owned business is evident, however it is not always coupled with commitment or tactical strategies for implementation. With thirty trillion dollars pouring into socially responsible companies from institutional investors, many are seeking to strengthen supplier diversity partnerships.
Currently, 82% of Fortune 200 companies have supplier diversity programs. Of those, 25% have executive commitments for the program and 16% have made public financial targets for minority owned business spending. Given investor interest and clear public good, many companies are experimenting with ways to develop partnerships and spark impactful solutions.
Read More.
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How Google Approaches Supplier Diversity | |
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Original Article by Dan Belz, Síofra Harnett, Jim Lowry, and Christine Young.
Published in the Harvard Business Review on October 28, 2022
Summarized by ODBP Staff
Companies are increasingly making commitments to Supplier Diversity, but consistently run into issues of size and scale. Major purchasers are simultaneously looking for the best prices on large quantities of goods while seeking to contract with small minority-owned vendors. Any MWBE seeking to compete with the Walmarts of the world knows the struggle of gaining access to the capital needed to procure at scale and compete on price.
To respond to this frequently cited concern, Google is innovatingly taking a new approach. By creating accountability partnerships and formal agreements for mentorship, they are seeking to provide long term growth for minority owned business partners.
Read more.
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The Problem with Tables
Challenging implicit bias in the 'seat at the table' metaphor.
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Original Article by By Aida Mariam Davis
Published in the Stanford Social Innovation Review on Dec. 1, 2022
Summarized by ODBP Staff
In a poignant discussion of workplace power structures, Davis questions assumptions behind the ubiquity of the 'table' metaphor and its associations with inclusion. Seeking a seat at the proverbial 'table' is not a clear path towards equity. It is not until the power structures carried by the table itself are questioned can organizations begin to make inroads towards sustainable inclusivity.
To assume that having a seat at the table is equivalent to having a voice is akin to thinking a new team player will immediately become the MVP. While possible for the elite few, it is a far more common experience of struggle to climb to the top; just as the voice and influence of the table is most often unattainable until the politics of its power is followed.
Questioning these workplace structures is key to realizing actionable and sustainable commitments to diversity.
Read More.
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