COO and Procurement staff discuss upcoming opportunities to do business with HISD

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HISD’s Chief Operating Officer Brian Busby joined procurement staff on Friday to hold an outreach event for small businesses interested in doing minor maintenance and repair work for the district.

Busby welcomed the group of about 100 and discussed his focus on expanding opportunities for small and minority- and women-owned businesses.

“I’m committed to strengthening our outreach to M/WBEs and small businesses,” Busby said. “Some of the work we have is better suited to smaller contractors who maybe wouldn’t be competitive on bigger jobs.”

Attendees had the opportunity to meet procurement and supplier diversity staff and hear about an upcoming Request for Proposal (RFP) for contractors to provide a wide variety of minor repairs and maintenance not to exceed $25,000 per job.

“We need the help of experienced contractors who provide superior work,” said John Espinoza, HISD senior procurement manager.

The RFP, which will be released Jan. 21, will request qualified contractors to provide services such as carpentry, flooring, masonry, electrical, painting, and roofing. A checklist in the RFP will allow respondents to indicate which services they can provide.

“This will give smaller businesses an opportunity to work with us,” said Okina Alford, HISD sourcing specialist. “We’re hoping to get a really good response. The more things they can do (from the checklist), the better.”

A pre-bid meeting is scheduled for Feb. 6 at 10 a.m. in the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center. Bids are due on Feb. 28. Procurement officials expect at least four or five winning bids will be selected, and work will be awarded as needed on a rotating basis.

“I’m happy with the strong turnout for this event,” Busby said. “There is always work to do at HISD. We want to make sure that the work is done well and our students are kept safe.”

More information on HISD Procurement Services and bid opportunities.