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		Are You Being Left Behind?
		Jackie Johnson, BET member, MAII, Equal Opportunity Department

Are You Being Left Behind??? Are City Contracts eluding you? Did you learn about an opportunity too late? Is your phone silent when other vendors' phones are ringing off the hook? If you answered YES to any of these questions . . . You Are Being Left Behind! Here's what you can do to improve your contracting opportunities……… Log onto the City's MWSBE Program website and make sure your company's name is listed in the appropriate category in the MWSBE Online Certification Directory www.phoenix.gov/mwsbe While in the MWSBE Online Certification Directory, check your phone and fax numbers and company address to ensure accuracy. Check messages and return calls as soon as possible. City employees have been instructed to obtain 3 quotes in order to expedite purchases immediately. If you snooze you just might lose. Only list products and/or services on the website that you actually can or currently provide. False advertising or misleading information may prevent you from getting a second chance. If you expand your capabilities or products, please contact the EOD office about updating your file on the website - call 602-262-7716 voice/602-534-1557 TTY. Obtain a separate fax line from your business telephone line. A busy person cannot wait for you to switch your phone line to a fax or vice versa. Is your pricing fair and commensurate with the goods or services you provide? Be careful not to over price your products or services, you may price yourself out of a contract. However, do not underbid. Remember, your goal is to be a successful business person! It pays to go back and ask about what pricing was successful after the purchase order has been issued. Are you professional and easy to work with? Do your employees have great customer service skills? This goes a long way when working with others. Do you offer alternatives to customers? If a request cannot be met by your business, do you have something else you can offer to replace the original request. Ingenuity is always beneficial to business owners! Are you aware that the City's Purchasing Division has an Open Vendor Hours every Wednesday, at 251 W. Washington Street, 8th Floor, from 1-3:30 p.m. where vendors may come and visit buyers without an appointment and sit down one-on-one to discuss business opportunities? Are you a registered vendor with the City Of Phoenix, by completing the "Bidder's Mailing List Application" found on the City's Purchasing website under phoenix.gov/PURCHASE/steps.html that will provide City departments and Purchasing staff a listing of the commodities and services that you offer? Were you aware that previous pricing on bids already awarded is public knowledge and available for your review? Do you understand the City's payment and bidding processes? Are you Affirmative Action eligible? Make sure you know how the City of Phoenix conducts business. Remember, knowledge is power and the more you know the more successful you may be in a bidding process. Most importantly, be persistent. Don't give up. Success may be right around the corner! *Note: The BET is comprised of City of Phoenix staff from the Community and Economic Development, Engineering and Architectural Services, Equal Opportunity, and Finance Departments.

For information on small business assistance programs, please call (602) 534-CITY (2489) or visit the following URL:
http://phoenix.gov/ECONDEV/index.html
City of Phoenix Community and Economic Development Department 200 West Washington Street, 20th Floor Phoenix, Arizona 85003	Call: 602.262.5040 or 602.534.6838 Fax: 602.495.5097 TTY: 602.534.3476
The city of Phoenix provides accessibility to information, participation, services and employment for persons with disabilities. This guide may be made available in the following alternative formats: large print, braille or audio-tape by calling (602) 534-CITY (2489).