LOS ANGELES, CA (December 1, 2020) – Small business owners and entrepreneurs gathered online today to learn about best practices in public procurement, business resources and the basics of contracting with the City of Los Angeles during the Accessing L.A. RiseWith Virtual Conference. The Board of Public Works and Bureau of Contract Administration, in collaboration with Mayor Eric Garcetti’s Office of Budget and Innovation and Office of Economic Development, hosted the online event in lieu of the annual in-person RiseWith event in the San Fernando Valley that is part of the Accessing L.A. Expo – the City’s premier flagship networking program.
“We hope that the Accessing L.A. virtual conference helps to educate and prepare our diverse business community on how to do business with the City as they will play an important role on our road to economic recovery,” said Los Angeles Board of Public Works Vice President Aura Garcia. “This has been a challenging year for so many and I commend the Bureau of Contract Administration and all of our partners for their continued support of the business community and for working towards a more equitable future for all.”
During the virtual conference, the City’s Chief Procurement Officer Shannon Hoppes presented on how to do business with the City, the types of contracts available, bidding basics and an overview of the Los Angeles Business Assistance Virtual Network (LABAVN). Jasson Crockett, Community Business Director for the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development presented business resources provided by the Mayor’s Office and the City of Los Angeles - particularly resources aimed at supporting small businesses impacted by the pandemic. The Bureau of Contract Administration provided an overview of its certification program that is intended to promote opportunities for disadvantaged, minority, women, and small, local business owners who want to participate in City contracting projects.
Additionally, the Los Angeles Office of Finance provided insight on how to apply for and obtain a Business Tax Registration Certificate (BTRC) with the City and the Economic and Workforce Development Department shared the business assistance services provided through its department and BusinessSource Centers. Merriwether & Williams Insurance Services also participated to share important information on how it helps small, local and diverse businesses work with the City and other public agencies through its contractor development and bonding program.
“Through Accessing L.A. and our certification programs, we continue to show our commitment to creating a level playing field for the small and diverse business community who have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic this year,” said John L. Reamer, Jr., Inspector of Public Works and Director of the Bureau of Contract Administration. “Our goal for the virtual conference is to ensure that they have the information and resources needed to successfully compete for public contracts when future opportunities arise.”
The successful and growing Accessing L.A. program was designed to promote the City’s vision of fostering the inclusion and economic development of all Los Angeles residents and businesses. In compliance with Mayor Eric Garcetti’s “Safer L.A.” emergency order and physical distancing guidelines, the virtual conference was developed to take the place of the 2020 RiseWith event in honor of National Hispanic American Heritage Month.
To view the recorded presentations, go to www.accessingla.org. For more information on the Bureau of Contract Administration, visit https://bca.lacity.org/.