Small Business Outreach Fair a Success
Under the direction of Ana Aispuro, Soltek’s Small Business Liaison Officer, the event was a tremendous success with over 125 small businesses attending. Soltek Project and Design Managers representing federal jobs with trade opportunities currently available for small businesses greeted attendees who excitingly waited to introduce themselves and their company services. Soltek Estimators handed out prequalification packets and encouraged small business owners to bid every job and not get discouraged. Soltek’s Purchasing Agent had a list of general conditions purchasing opportunities. Soltek’s Payroll Supervisor answered questions regarding Davis Bacon Wages and certified payroll documentation, Soltek subcontract insurance requirements were made available by Soltek’s Contract Specialist and Soltek’s Corporate Safety Officer had information regarding developing a company Injury and Illness Prevention Program and subcontract safety requirements. GALLERY
Midway through the meet and greet, Kevin Cammall, Vice President and Chief Estimator for Soltek, held the crowd’s attention as he enthusiastically spoke about the Soltek’s strong history of outreaching to small businesses beginning with a story of when he and retired Soltek President Larry Richie, would drop in and introduce themselves to small businesses that they would happened to drive by on their way to Soltek jobsites. The attendees also listened attentively as Kevin explained the design-build proposal process that has become a federal government standard and how small businesses fit into the process. Kevin used Neal Electric, a large subcontractor that Soltek invited to shared this small business outreach opportunity with, as an example of how some trades may not initially appear to have small business opportunities but may indeed have opportunities on a sub-tier level through large subcontractors on Soltek projects such as Neal Electric.
The event concluded with plenty of positive feedback from the small business owners and numerous new contacts were made for future small business opportunities.