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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMentorship Protege Program 1-21-22 City of South Bend-Diversity & Inclusion Mentorship-Protégé Program 2022 Goal: The Office of D&I is looking for innovative ways to promote a mentorship program for Small Local Businesses to partner with established Prime contractors. By enhancing business skills and broadening the base of MWBE businesses, we plan to meet the overall goals of this program. A component of the Mentorship- Protégé Program is the implementation of practical workshops to allow prime contractors to network with sub-contractors. A great example of this is our recent “Vendor Opportunity Fair.” In partnership with the Indiana Toll Road Commission (ITR) and South Bend Community School Corporation, the City of South Bend hosted an event to bring together over 120 certified minority vendors with 15 Prime contractors. As a result, numerous mentorship and collaboration opportunities were developed. Outcomes and Goals of Mentorship: • The Office of Diversity & Inclusion will accurately track participation in the event and create potential matchmaking opportunities with Prime and sub-contractors • Large prime contractors partner with sub-contractors to meet their small business subcontracting goals Application and Screening Process: • Interview/Pre-screen ten potential sub-contractors that will be committed to the mentoring program. • The Office of Diversity & Inclusion will conduct virtual interviews on Microsoft Teams • The best practices for business development programs are to make sure small businesses have the skill set to do business with City Government Requirements for Prime Contractors • Employer commitment being able to carry out its responsibilities to assist the sub-contractor • Possess good character and not appear on the federal debarred or suspended contractors • Able to impart value to a protégé firm due to lessons learned and practical experience gained through knowledge of government contracting Requirements for Sub Contractor Participation: • Must be able to identify the type of guidance needed for development • Business continuation in the last 24 months • The Annual business revenue average is starting at $50,000 or more in the past two years. • Company with a minimum of 2 employees • Must possess the skill level, capacity, and workforce to work with Prime contractors • Contract signatures from both Prime and Sub- Contractors solidifying commitment to participating in Mentorship Program Program Details: • Program Length: 8 weeks • Class Time: 4:00–5:30 pm Every Wednesday • Class Details: Each week will focus on one subject area to enhance the mentorship protégé program. • Location: Virtual • Platform- Microsoft Teams Employer Commitments and Possible Mentorship Partnerships: • Rieth & Riley- Committed -Certified Trucking Company • Larson Danielson Construction Co.- Construction Trades • Milestone North-Certified Trucking and Hauling • HRP Construction Inc. • Midland Engineering • Selge Construction • G.E. Marshall Inc. • Green Demolition The Approach of Managing Sub-Contractors: The approach of managing the sub-contractors is based on the following guideline principles: • The Prime contractor will support the needs of the sub-contractors effectively • The Prime’s (Mentor) assistance will promote real developmental gains for the protégé, not act as a temporary assignment to receive federal small business set-asides • Effective channels of communications will be clearly defined and established • A Statement of Work will be developed jointly by the team, with each sub-contractor taking responsibility for the deliverables and services outlined in its areas of responsibility • Each sub-contractor will have its duties and authorities clearly defined in the Statement of Work • The prime contractor will support sub-contractors in processing invoices and payments • Sub-contractors will submit monthly invoices reflecting the hours worked The measure of Success and Follow-up: o Building relationships with the prime contractor and establishing sub-contracts regularly o Annual contract increase o Subs provide personal testimony on mentorship experience (positive or negative) o Bi-Annual and Annual Feedback on prime contractor’s experience in working with sub-contractors (positive or negative) o Learning skills and objectives to share with others Mentorship Class Schedule: Weekly Sessions will take place on Wednesdays from 4:00 pm-5:30 pm. Week One- January 26th: Introduction- Counseling and Support Team o Expectations of the Mentorship/Protégé Program o Speakers- Prime Contractors will share goals and expectations Week Two- February 2nd o Entrepreneurship Counseling- Dr. Michael Moore- University of N.D. Week Three- February 9th: Business Coaching-Elevator Speech (30 seconds -1min) o Leslie Wesley- South Bend Black Chamber of Commerce o Kary Farlow-IMPower Center o Dr. Moss- MossLight Consulting, LLC Week Four- February 16th: Financing and Grant Opportunities o Angelina Billo- Department of Community Investment o Sam Centellas Week Five- February 23rd: Bonding o Devin Moore- Moore Surety Bonds o (Additional Bond Agency, TBA) Week Six- March 2nd: Financial Coaching o Ricky Miller- Teacher’s Credit Union o Zach Thompson- Notre Dame Federal Credit Union o Curtis Bethel- Key Bank o Catherine S. Perryman - Chase Bank Week Seven- March 9th: Legal Support o Attorney Tasha Reed Outlaw- TRO Law Group o Attorney Shannon Buari- Anderson, Agostino, & Keller o Final Elevator pitch from sub-contractors competition Final Week- March 16th: Financial Institutions and Loan Opportunities & Small Matchmaking Celebration Location: (TBA) Time- 5:30pm-6:30pm Speakers: o N.D. Federal Credit Union-Tom Gripe o 1st Source Bank- o Key Bank- Curtis Bethel o Chase Bank- Diversity & Inclusion Initiative Darran Teamor • Following the speaker presentation, the remainder of the session will be spent congratulating the accomplishments of subcontractors in their completion of the program and subsequent match with a prime contractor. Light refreshments will be provided.