Small & Minority Business Resources to host event to meet prime contractors, consultants for City projects

For immediate release
May 29, 2008

The City of Austin's Small & Minority Business Resources Department (SMBR) will host a "Meet the Prime" event on Wednesday, June 11, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Waller Creek Building, 625 East 10th St.

"Meet the Prime" will give small minority-owned and women-owned business enterprises (MBE/WBEs) an opportunity to hear what prime contractors look for in bids/proposals submitted from potential subcontractors. SMBR will host primes from construction, professional services and technology industries.

"The purpose of the 'Meet the Prime' event is to give minority- and women-owned small businesses an opportunity to find out what prime contractors are searching for when they select participants for their project proposals," said SMBR Director Stephen Elkins. "These small businesses want to know what they can do to become more marketable and this workshop will give practical advice from vendors who do business with the City."

Confirmed panelists include:

• Carollo Engineers
• Earth Tech
• IBM
• Jamail & Smith Construction
• Laughlin – Thyssen Inc.
• Shaw Energy
• Solis Constructors Inc.

SMBR assists small minority-owned and women-owned businesses as they pursue contracting opportunities with the City of Austin; encourages MBE/WBEs to participate in City contracts; and oversees the City's MBE/WBE & DBE (Disadvantaged Business Enterprise) contracting goals in the areas of construction, professional services, commodities and non-professional services.

Business owners who wish to find out more about opportunities available with the City of Austin should review the Purchasing Web site at www.cityofaustin.org/purchase.

For more information visit www.cityofaustin.org/smbr or call (512) 974-7677.

Contact: Blender Hill, SMBR Outreach Coordinator, (512) 974-7677