BUSINESS EXCHANGE By William Reed Stop the Government’s Practice of “Business as Usual”














Black Press Business/Economic Feature                              Week of July 23, 2015
BUSINESS EXCHANGE
By William Reed
Stop the Government’s Practice of “Business as Usual”
There’s a new sheriff in town. This latest sheriff can make or break thousands of business operations in the District of Columbia in the performance of his legal, political and ceremonial duties.  George Schutter, the newly appointed Office of Contracts & Procurement (OCP) Chief Procurement Officer invites District of Columbia-based businesses to take steps required to do business with the government.  These steps require Washingtonians: 1) Attend an OCP Vendor Workshop; 2) Meet specified requirements; 3) Register with OCP to receive” notices of open solicitation’s; 4) Become certified and 5) Regularly visit ocp.dc.gov to view procurement opportunities.

Schutter told the 2016 ProBiz conference that his vision is to “continue to develop” the agency and he propose that it “moves forward” under his tenure with increased successes and progress for Washington’s small and black businesses.  To do business with the District Government, D.C.-based businesses need to interact with the Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) and the Office of Contracts & Procurement (OCP). The DSLBD “supports the development, economic growth, and retention of District-based businesses, and promotes economic development.”  DSLBD’s charge is to develop a business environment that connects local companies to business opportunities in real-time, supports quick and confident navigation of government agencies and opportunities.

Both the DSLBD and OCP work to expand businesses in D.C.  To be eligible for CBE certification, a business must demonstrate it is based in the District. The business must have its principal office located in the District and the chief executive officer and highest level managerial employees of the business must maintain their office and perform managerial functions there. The business must meet one of four standards: have more than 50 percent of assets located in the District; more than 50 percent of its total sales or other revenues derived from transactions in the District; more than 50 percent of employees are District residents; or, more than 50 percent of owners are residents..

Schutter inherits a two-decade-old agency.  Established in 1997, the OCP’s mission is to partner with vendors and agencies to purchase quality goods and services in a timely manner and at reasonable costs while ensuring that all purchasing actions are conducted fairly and impartially.  Each year, OCP processes solicitations that yield contract awards and over 10,000 purchase orders that total more than $1.1 billion.  OCP procures goods, services, transportation and specialty equipment, and information technology. The agency is organized into four divisions:  The Procurement division acquires goods and services on behalf of District agencies; 2) Office of Procurement Integrity and Compliance 3) Information Technology and 4) Administration  through which each month, OCP in conjunction with DSLBD, hosts a General Vendor Workshop that discusses “how to do business with the District.”

What confronts Schutter is a “Status quo ante” that is said to exist at OCP.  Status quo ante is Latin for "the way things were before".  It refers to a regression in which the situation is restored to the state of affairs that existed previously.  Through OCP staffers regular awarding of certain sole source contracts, many violations of small-business contracting rules have occurred. 

There needs to be a change in the public’s and government officials’ attitudes about set aside programs. As he moves to be a successful sheriff, Schutter has to ensure small businesses have access to tools they need to grow.  To assure triumph in his tenure, Schutter will have to change the mindset and perspectives of OCP staff toward local blacks and their business as capable, talented, and innovative operations. He needs to immediately implement professional development and sensitivity training to ensure that the agency not only meets the spirit but the letter of the law in regards to utilization of small business and minority business enterprises.  After he gets a lay of the land,  Schutter may shutter hostile attitudes that Certified Business Enterprises allege OCP contracting officers often exhibit towards them.. Schutter’s on the job priority is to make OCP staff do their job as required by laws on the books without waivers.

Contact OCP via their Customer Center - 202-724-4477.
William Reed is publisher of “Who’s Who in Black Corporate America” and available for projects via Busxchng@his.com

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