MWD Certifies NAWBO Members at March '03 Dinner Meeting

Bobbi Becker, the business outreach program manager for the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD), spoke to NAWBO members and guests on Tuesday, March 4, 2003, to provide guidance on doing business with MWD, the water agency that supplies 17 million residents and businesses in Southern California.

Ms. Becker is responsible for reviewing $500 million in contracting activities per year for MWD. Ms. Becker's goal is to maximize business opportunities for regional and small businesses in Southern California's six counties. Through the Regional/Small Business Program developed in 2001 by Bobbi and her team, 31 percent of MWD’s contract dollars now go to small businesses. Last year, women-owned businesses received more than $6 million by providing construction, professional services and procurement services to the MWD. The agency has partnered with other NAWBO chapters in Southern California, and Bobbi said that NAWBO members are some of the best service providers the agency has encountered.

At the meeting Bobbi presented helpful hints to NAWBO members on how to submit bids to MWD. When choosing a vendor, the agency focuses on responsiveness and responsibility, that is, the ability to meet requirements as well as the ability to carry out the work. Bobbi emphasized that the MWD looks at the value and cost savings when determining contract awards, but clear, consistent communication is the key to maintaining a relationship with MWD. The agency wants to build relationships with its small business vendors, and those vendors that demonstrate the value of their product and their commitment will be able to develop a successful relationship with MWD.

MWD’s program includes a simple self-certification program, incentives in procurement and professional services contracting, a small business requirement instead of a good faith effort in construction contracting, and a vendor mentoring program. Their Non-Competitive Contractingopportunities (under $25k) can get you in the door...

• No insurance or bond requirements, no formal bid sheets
• Acquisitions between $10,000 and $25,000 are informal
• Acquisitions under $10,000 are spot buys (purchase cards up to $5,000; checks up to $2,500; purchase prders up to $10,000)

Bobbi and her team certified those meeting attendees interested in doing business with MWD. If you missed the meeting and would like to do work for MWD, contact Albert Napoli (213) 217-7249. NOTE: MWD certification is also accepted by the City of San Diego and the San Diego County Water Authority.

Visit MWD's website. Download Bobbi's PowerPoint presentation.