Macon-Bibb County’s Office of Small Business Affairs and Bibb County School District’s Purchasing Department are working together for the fifth year on outreach and educational events to help small, local, and minority-owned businesses bid on government projects and contracts. On Friday, March 23, they will host a Lunch and Learn Reverse Vendor Fair from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. in the 4th floor training room in the Historic Macon Terminal Station (200 Cherry Street).
 
The Reverse Vendor Fair will allow subcontractors, general contractors, suppliers of goods, services, and professional services to learn about upcoming projects, and meet with local and state procurement professionals. Local and regional small business owners, minority business owners, women business owners, and disadvantaged business owners, as well as the general public, are invited and encouraged, to participate.
 
Pre-registration for the event is required, and can be done by clicking here or by calling Ms. LaVette Jackson at 478-779-3526.  Registration and lunch are complimentary.
 
“Participation in the lunch and learn session will present the opportunity for local small business owners to receive information as to the process, procedures and policies to compete for contract awards as well as upcoming opportunities to compete for contract awards with the government entities,” said Ms. Elaine Wilson.
 
The event will feature a short program, giving each agency the chance to share information about the procurement process. In addition to the consolidated government and school district, there will be representatives from the Macon Water Authority, Macon-Bibb County Housing Authority, Middle Georgia State University, and the Georgia Department of Transportation.
 
“We are looking for local small business owners who provide goods, supplies, construction services and professional services, who are interested in doing business with government entities,” says Dr. James Bumpus, Director of Macon-Bibb’s Office of Small Business Affairs.