How to Do Business with Regional Transit
July 29, 2004

Over 80 attendees participated in the "How to do Business with RT" conference on July 29, 2004, at the RT Administrative Facility. The small businesses represented included construction companies, security, computer/network, food service, transportation equipment suppliers and other vendors.
Dr. Beverly Scott, General Manager/Chief Executive Officer for RT, opened the event by explaining the importance of small businesses in our communities and the wide variety of services and items they supply for RT. She enthusiastically encouraged small business participation and advised small businesses to team with other businesses, both large and small, to pursue RT contracts that they could not otherwise support entirely on their own. Attendees were pleased to get the opportunity to network with the RT leadership and contracting staff and greatly appreciated their passion for working with small business.

Dr. Beverly Scott, General Manager/CEO, RT, enthusiastically encouraged small business participation

Selling to agencies like RT requires the small business owner to understand the agency's specific buying methods, their requirements and the individuals who set the requirements. Fernando Barcena, Senior Procurement and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Administrator at RT, explained how the RT purchasing staff is very open for questions before bids, quotes, or proposals are to be submitted. He also admits that, once the bid packages are submitted, it is too late for changes. Not filling out the forms properly, he

states, will eliminate a proposal from being considered. The bids, quotes, and proposals must be responsive and responsible to be considered. Mr. Barcena can advise bidders, who were not selected, why their bids/proposals did not win the contract award, so that they may be more competitive in future solicitations.

The afternoon session focused on CalTrans' Disadvantaged Business Enterprise certification program. RT, as well as the other California transportation agencies, use CalTrans Directory of DBE certified firms. The Federal Technology Center (The FTC), RT's small business outreach partner, has counselors available to provide FREE assistance to California small businesses that need help with the DBE certification process, or any other government contracting issues. Call us at (916) 334-9388.

For more information about Regional Transit, visit them online at: www.sacrt.com