DPS launches aggressive program to attract minority businesses

Friday, June 2, 2006

In an effort to attract more minority contractors, the Detroit Public Schools Department of Contracting and Procurement has developed a community outreach program, a key component of which includes the notification of certified minority businesses when bids are posted.

Under the program, known as the Detroit Public Schools Small Contractor Development Initiative Program, the District will pay the DemandStar registration fee for minority vendors. These vendors will also receive notification from DemandStar when DPS bids are solicited

DemandStar (www.demandstar.com) is the District’s bidding notification system. It informs businesses about, among other things, invitations to bid, Request for Proposal, Request for Qualification and Request for Information.

“Approximately $1.5 billion flows through this District each year, and contractors get a substantial portion of it,” said William F. Coleman III, superintendent of the Detroit Public Schools. “This is a city that is predominantly minority, and our school system ought to do all within its power as a major public agency to create an environment that is welcoming for contractors of color, a great many of whom continue to find doors closed to them in so many arenas.”

Other steps the District is taking to reach out to minority businesses include:

• The regular purchase of advertising space in several community newspapers, including the Michigan Chronicle, El Central and the Arab-American News.

• A strengthened relationship with various chambers of commerce or business groups that have large minority memberships, including the Arab-American Chamber of Commerce, the Detroit Black Chamber and the Booker T. Washington Business Association.

• Small contractor development programs that cover subjects like pricing strategies, banking relationships, business plans and accounting and bookkeeping.

• The District will also provide the names of certified minority-owned businesses to major contractors and encourage them to use the minority businesses as sub-contractors.