Title
Business Inclusion & Diversity Program Update
Body
Agenda of: February 24, 2021
Item No.: 2021-063
Amount: N/A
TO: The Honorable
Board of Directors
Great Lakes Water Authority
FROM: Sue F. McCormick
Chief Executive Officer
Great Lakes Water Authority
DATE: February 24, 2021
RE: Presentation: Business Inclusion & Diversity Program Update
MOTION
Upon recommendation of Nicolette Bateson, Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer, the Board of Directors (Board) of the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA), receive and file the Business Inclusion & Diversity Program Update; and authorizes the CEO to take such other action as may be necessary to accomplish the intent of this vote.
BACKGROUND
On November 25, 2020, the GLWA Board of Directors approved an amendment to the Procurement Policy allowing for a new Business Inclusion & Diversity (B.I.D.) Program. The B.I.D. Program Team, which includes internal GLWA Team Members as well as external consultants, executed a Phase I launch of the program on February 1, 2021.
JUSTIFICATION
In support of an effective Phase I launch for the B.I.D. Program, the following strategic efforts were undertaken by the B.I.D. Program Team.
1. GLWA hosted two vendor focus groups, on December 14, 2020 and January 12, 2021, to gather feedback and reactions from GLWA's vendor community on the B.I.D. Program. Bridgeport Consulting facilitated these meetings that included subject matter experts from twelve companies.
2. Hosted Professional Association focus group on January 25, 2021 that was facilitated by Bridgeport Consulting. The focus group included representatives from nine professional organizations and associations throughout Southeastern Michigan.
3. Updated Procurement forms and documents to meet B.I.D. Program requirements.
4. Updated e-procurement software (Bonfire) to meet B.I.D. Program requirements.
5. Developed materials for Procurement Team training which took place on January 22, 202...
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