About 250 businesses attended the event promoting economic inclusion in public contracting
LOS ANGELES (May 24, 2024) – The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) recently hosted its second Supplier Diversity Fair of the year on May 9, 2024, themed “Building Los Angeles Together: Celebrating Asian American And Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage And Advancing Business Opportunities.” With a goal of increasing equity for underrepresented businesses, the event provided opportunities for Los Angeles’ small business to connect with LADWP and other agencies in attendance.
“Making the right connections is the main ingredient for any business to succeed, but for us it’s about much more than just networking. It’s opening the door wider for equitable participation on public contracts,” said Gregory Reed, LADWP Senior Assistant General Manager – Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. “By elevating inclusion and ensuring our contract expenditures promote financial growth and stability for historically underrepresented firms, we elevate small businesses in Los Angeles and the many Angelenos they employ.”
The event had approximately 250 people in attendance and provided networking opportunities between small business attendees and representatives from prime contractors, LADWP and other agencies. The event also included a breakout session to educate attendees about LADWP’s procurement practices and inform of upcoming contracting opportunities.
Beyond making contacts, the Supplier Diversity Fair featured a presentation by Senior Architect Sammy Wong on two major construction projects: LADWP’s John Ferraro Building Modernization Project and La Kretz Hollywood Customer Service Center Project. Both projects generate important prime contracting and subcontracting opportunities. Also, a panel discussion sponsored by the Asian American Architects and Engineers Association covered progressive design build, an innovative alternative project delivery method that enhances the opportunity for teamwork, collaboration, prime consultant-builder partnering, and small business inclusion.
LADWP administers programs and outreach, like the Supplier Diversity Fair, to encourage the participation of all businesses in its contracting opportunities, including, but not limited to:
- Small Business Enterprises (SBEs)
- Disabled Veterans Business Enterprises (DVBEs)
- Emerging Business Enterprises (EBEs)
- Women-Owned Business Enterprises (WBEs)
- Minority-Owned Business Enterprises (MBEs)
- LGBT-Owned Business Enterprises (LGBTBEs)
- Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs)
- Local Business Enterprises (LBEs)
Businesses interested in learning more about certification in the previously mentioned categories can get information through the City of L.A. Department of Public Works Bureau of Contract Administration: https://bca.lacity.org/certification
Businesses interested in contracting with the City of L.A. and its various city agencies, including LADWP, must register at the Regional Alliance Marketplace for Procurement (RAMPLA). The RAMPLA website features self-registration and profile management for vendors: www.rampla.org
Companies looking to do business with LADWP specifically can also register on eRSP.com, LADWP’s procurement system. Businesses may also search on the SupplyLine quarterly newsletter www.ladwp.com/supplyline for upcoming contracting opportunities. Contact the LADWP Supplier Diversity Office with any questions:
Email: supplierdiversityoffice@ladwp.com
Phone: (213) 367-3732
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