The Meeting Was Called to Order at 2:07 Pm

Research and Emerging Trends Committee
Meeting Minutes

Tuesday, October 17, 2017

Call to Order

·  The meeting was called to order at 2:07 pm.

Members in Attendance

·  Chair Barbara Melvin (First Florida Integrity Bank)

·  Cheryl Gonzalez (University of North Florida)

·  Johnny Helms (Lumbee Resource Management Group)

Staff in Attendance

·  Hue Reynolds, Executive Director, Office of Supplier Diversity (OSD), Department of Management Services (DMS)

·  Donna Williams, Marketing Manager, OSD, DMS

·  Bre Stephens, Marketing Assistance, OSD, DMS

Old Business The members on the call discussed portions of the Chapter 287 “Tracked Changes” document that had been shared previously. Following is a recap of the lines discussed:

·  The Committee reviewed lines 12-15, an opinion about Legislative intent for government procurement and decided that it should be deleted. The Committee also decided that the Direct Support Organization suggestion from lines 77-78 is moot.

·  The Committee discussed the Purchasing Categories from lines 114-124, and Director Reynolds confirmed that the categories are still the same in statute.

·  As the Committee reviewed lines 242-246, Director Reynolds explained the role of OSD and the purpose of the CBE Certification. The Committee decided that the Council can choose to study small and minority business participation in State Term and Multiyear Contracts, but it is currently not under OSD’s purview in statute.

·  As the Committee reviewed the note from lines 281-285 regarding protests for a solicitation related to State Term Contracts, Director Reynolds explained that OSD does not have the statutory authority to protest bids.

·  The Committee then discussed lines 297-305, and asked about the solicitation notice activity. Director Reynolds also informed the Committee that solicitation notices sent by OSD to certified vendors with those commodity codes has increased significantly. OSD does not market solicitation opportunities via social media.

·  The Committee determined that line 312 is moot because the Vendor Bid System publicizes information on competitive bids by an agency.

·  The Committee reviewed lines 342-349 and inquired about the role of OSD/DMS in implementing vendor diversity initiatives. Director Reynolds explained that State agencies are required to submit an annual business participation plan outlining diversity initiatives.

·  For lines 372-377, Director Reynolds shared that each agency submits their annual spend with certified and non-certified vendors. All information is posted on the OSD webpage as part of the Annual Report.

·  The information on price preferences on lines 707-712 and 729-732 are moot.

·  There are no changes to lines 757-763.

·  The Committee asked for lines 879-919 to be reviewed by the General Counsel’s Office.

·  The Committee will further discuss lines 920-932 to determine if this is something the General Counsel’s Office should review.

·  The Committee recommended changing the program name of “Certified Minority Business Enterprise” to Certified Business Enterprise, which is reflective of the change implemented by OSD.

New Business

·  There was no new business discussed.

Public Comments

·  No members of the public were on the call.

Next Scheduled Meeting

·  November 21, 2017

The meeting was adjourned at 2:58 pm.

Florida Advisory Council on Small and Minority Business Development