Message from the Director
I am pleased to report that the NTTA achieved its highest diversity spending levels with Disadvantaged/Minority/Woman Owned Business Enterprises since the diversity function became a stand-alone department. In 2011, the Authority awarded 20.6 percent of total spending, $102.6 million dollars, to D/M/WBE businesses.
This ongoing effort to create additional business opportunities for D/M/WBE vendors has resulted in an increased numbers of vendors competing for and receiving contracts.
To further enhance the opportunities for D/M/WBEs, NTTA staff is meeting with industry and advocacy groups throughout the region to develop business profiles of individual organizations.
The NTTA is updating its diversity action plan to tailor outreach with organizations to provide a clearer understanding of the goods and services being procured by the NTTA and to better serve their memberships.
A monthly procurement forecast is provided to regional partners to inform them of opportunities as early in the procurement process as possible to enhance opportunities for success. Having targeted business profiles for each industry group allows the NTTA to highlight abilities and at the same time prevent false expectations for non-qualified candidates.
If you have any questions or comments regarding business diversity at the NTTA, we would be delighted to hear from you. Please call our Vendor Outreach Hotline at 972-447-3333, or send us an email at vendoroutreach@ntta.org. You can also contact me directly at acoleman@ntta.org.
As always, the NTTA is open for business.
Anthony Coleman
Director of Business Diversity |
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Business Diversity Numbers Set
High Mark
 NTTA Business Diversity staff announced at its April 5 Board of Directors Administration Committee meeting that in 2011, the Authority had achieved its highest level of spending with D/M/WBEs. This marks the third consecutive year of dynamic growth following the NTTA's elevation of business diversity to a stand-alone department.
D/M/WBE spending grew 19 percent from 2010 to 2011. There was an increase in diversity spending in three of the four procurement categories; one remained stable.
"The NTTA continues to increase efforts to reach out to all qualified candidates to ensure maximum opportunities when it comes to doing business with the NTTA," said NTTA Chairman Kenneth Barr.
Most significantly, since 2008 the NTTA has continued to show steady growth in the number of D/M/WBEs moving into prime contractor roles.
Steve Mason is president of Mas-Tek, a D/M/WBE company that recently earned a prime contract on the NTTA's Chisholm Trail Parkway project. "The NTTA encouraged Mas-Tek to meet for a debriefing following past unsuccessful request for proposals. That really helped us to develop our first successful Request for Proposal last year and reflected capabilities of our company," Mason said.
The latest figures support findings in the Independent Financial and Performance review of the NTTA conducted in 2011. According to the report the NTTA and its Business Diversity staff have made significant improvements in increasing minority involvement in recent years. |
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ROAD Program Roundtable Discussion and Forum
Business Diversity staff conducted a Relationships and Opportunities Advancing Diversity program roundtable discussion and forum March 22.
The forum, conducted in the NTTA Boardroom, was designed to give ROAD team members an opportunity to exchange ideas and discuss accomplishments and successes.
BDD Director Anthony Coleman provided highlights of the ROAD program class guide, which outlines the program's operating guidelines, team expectations, key reporting dates, meeting schedules and the role of the BDD.
ROAD program members asked questions about next steps, and shared their achievements and positive developments.
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ROAD program participants exchange ideas at the roundtable discussion and forum held in March in the NTTA Boardroom |
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Denton County Vendor Outreach Symposium
NTTA staff hosted the NTTA's third Denton County Vendor Outreach Symposium at the Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center in Denton Feb. 28. The symposiums are designed to strengthen the NTTA's procurement efforts by including D/W/MBE and Small Business Enterprises in the procurement of goods and services.
NTTA Board Director Michael R. Nowels welcomed attendees at the event. Director of Business Diversity Anthony Coleman reviewed the NTTA's accomplishments and reasserted the Authority's commitment to the inclusion of small business enterprises in NTTA procurements.
Attendees also networked with NTTA staff, including Director of Information Technology Dave Pounds, Director of Procurement Felix Alvarez, and Manager of Contracts for Project Delivery Ijay N. Nkele.
Also in attendance was the president of the Denton Black Chamber of Commerce Kerry Goree, and the president of the Denton Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Jorge Urbina for their support of the NTTA's diversity initiatives.
NTTA staff will host the next VOS in Tarrant County May 24, at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden Center, located at 3200 Botanic Garden Boulevard in Fort Worth.
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Denton County VOS attendees network with NTTA staff to strengthen ties |
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Training
BDD Director Anthony Coleman attended training Feb. 16 for modifications scheduled to be implemented by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Disadvantaged Business and Small Business Enterprise programs.
The North Central Texas Regional Certification Agency conducted the training. Coleman also participated in a roundtable discussion at the event.
The NCTRCA provides assistance through education and counseling to applicants throughout the certification process in order to build a certified vendor pool for its member entities. |
Staff Attends Collin County Forum
NTTA staff conducted ongoing small business outreach by participating in a vendor fair at the Collin County Governmental Purchasers Forum Feb. 22.
Small business owners discussed business opportunities, showcased their companies and networked with NTTA staff.
The event consisted of a presentation about doing business with government entities followed by an open fair for networking.
The CCGPF is comprised of more than 30 entities, including the NTTA. |
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Greater Dallas Asian Chamber
Business Diversity staff participated in aprocurement one-on-one session organized by theGreater Dallas Asian American Chamber of Commerce Feb. 9.
The new program allows members to meet with governmental entity representatives in a focused setting. BDD Director Anthony Coleman provided information about upcoming initiatives and talked with participants about how they can do business with the NTTA. The GDAACC has more than 1,200 members, including entrepreneurs, business owners, corporations and public service entities. The chamber represents 17 Asian ethnic groups.
For more information about business diversity opportunities at the NTTA, visitntta.org. |
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VENDOR REGISTRATION
Stay apprised of NTTA opportunities by registering online at www.ntta.org. Registering online allows your firm to automatically receive emails for NTTA bid opportunities that match your company's registered skill sets by specific commodity codes.
UPCOMING OPPORTUNITIES
Visit www.ntta.org to find upcoming opportunities for four industry-specific categories, as well as the construction letting schedule. |
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CONTACT US
For questions regarding
vendor outreach, email VendorOutreach@ntta.org or call 972-447-3333.
For questions regarding business diversity, email BusinessDiversity@ntta.org or call 214-461-2007.
For questions regarding all procurements, email bidpurchasing@ntta.org.
Visit the Business Diversity Department online at www.ntta.org for direct access to the NTTA's Diversity Policy, Contractors Compliance Handbook, compliance report forms and other helpful links.
OUTREACH PROGRAMS
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