State Agency Recognition Awards 2006

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State Agency Recognition Awards 2006

On October 26, 2006, the Department of General Services hosted the 7th Annual State Agency Recognition Awards (SARA)

SARA honors State departments for outstanding achievements in advocating for and contracting with Small Business and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprises (SB/DVBE).

A panel of judges, representing SB/DVBE businesses and the State of California, selected winners for their best practices and creativity.

And the Award Goes To . . .

Fran Archuleta, Steven Kobayashi, Mallie Stone and Hiroko Kurosawa.

Governor's Award

Department of General Services
Procurement Division

Office Supply Team

The DGS "Office Supply Team" knows that the SB/DVBE participation is crucial to the economic prosperity of California. With the issue of the Governor's Executive Order S-02-06 they did not hesitate to take the lead in supporting their department and other departments in reaching their goals through source contracting. The team set an example that through diligence, determination, negotiation, and hard work, collaboration partnerships can be formed which benefit all including small businesses, prime vendors and government purchasing officials.

Their most recent example, the strategically sourced Office Supplies Contract, with 98% SB participation and 34% DVBE participation. This new contract not only meets the Governor's commitment to our Small Businesses and DVBE's it exceeds it by far.

Maureen Moss, Advocate for Consumer Affairs, accepts her department's Gold SARA.

SARA

Gold Award Winner:

Department of Consumer Affairs

Best Practice: "Customer Service, Education and Outreach"

The Department of Consumer Affairs takes "Outreach to Vendors" one step further. The department advocate conducts one-on-one meetings with certified vendors to clarify how to do business with the state, in addition to sharing that vendor's information with department employees, and host an open house exclusively for DCA employees. This Agency's dedication is truly inspirational and is why their participation goals are consistently met and increasing annually. In just 5 years the DVBE percentage has climbed from 0.49 % to 3.74 % and the SB percentage of 3.17% has reached 47.06%

Shaironda Morris, Advocate for department of Rehabilitation accepts her departments Silver SARA.

SARA

Silver Award Winner:

Department of Rehabilitation

Best Practice: "Maintaining Statewide Small Business and DVBE Goals"

The Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) policy is to increase SB/DVBE participation through administrative purchasing and contracting opportunities with SB/DVBE businesses. DOR's goal is to maintain the statewide SB/DVBE participation goals. The Advocate continues to work closely with purchasing & contracting officials to implement this plan. The DOR's 2005-06 reported participation for SB was 32.29% and 6.05% for DVBE.

Master Sergeant Charles Akers accepts his departments Bronze SARA.

SARA

Bronze Award Winner:

California Military Department

Best Practice: "Education and Outreach"

The purchasing section for the California Military Department recently launched a program to be more effective in connecting procurement personnel with DVBE/SB vendors throughout the state. This department conducts two formal procurement training classes per year for new personnel and refresher training for existing personnel, with continuing education and outreach programs to include more DVBE and SB involvement.

Other Award Winners Include . . .

Advocate of the Year Gold	Ria Diaz - San Jose State University
Advocate of the Year Silver	Cathy Croly - Department of Parks and Recreation
Advocate of the Year Bronze	Bruce Michener - Board of Equalization
Most Notable Improvement in Small Business and DVBE Contracting Large Department Over $7 Million in Contracting	Board of Equalization
Most Notable Improvement in Small Business and DVBE Contracting Medium Department $1 Million to $ 7 Million in Contracting	Secretary of State
Most Notable Improvement in Small Business and DVBE Contracting Small Department Under $1 Million in Contracting	Governor's Office of Planning and Research

Other Best Practices

SB/DVBE Advocates place high importance on diligently attending all meetings that pertain to the SB/DVBE program to remain up-to-date with new policies, changes, trends, laws and regulations
SB/DVBEs are encouraged to complete the online certification process in order to increase the number of SB/DVBE vendors available for procurement opportunities.
When purchasing from CMAS contracts SBs must be considered first
Advocates review each purchase order prior to award. If a SB/DVBE is not chosen, market research is done to see if a SB/DVBE could provide the goods being requested at a competitive rate.
Conduct a one-day educational and networking event to outreach to the small and disadvantaged businesses wishing to do business. The event consists of both an educational presentation and face-to-face networking opportunities between potential suppliers and buyers with real current and future needs
- The educational portion of the program consists of two parts:
  1. General "how to do business" (e.g., bidding, contracting, invoicing, etc.) &
  2. Specialized subjects (e.g., bonding, how to obtain insurance, specific program requirements, how to obtain certification, etc.)
Vendors contacting the SB/DVBE Advocate for future business opportunities receive a faxed list of organizational units in the agency while also having their company name placed in an agency vendor listing.

Other Resources

Each year the SARA nominations are posted on the OSDS Web site at www.pd.dgs.ca.gov/smbus. Each quarter the DGS-PD Communication and Outreach Unit hosts meetings for SB/DVBE advocates to share information. Staff is available to assist you in understanding the Web resources or discussing ideas. You can contact DGS advocates by utilizing the departments website at www.pd.dgs.ca.gov/smbus/advocate.htm#sdad, for more technical issues you can contact the OSDS at (916) 375-4940.