Culver City Firm Challenges AQMD's Agency Outreach

Los Angeles Sentinel
02-19-1997
Culver City Firm Challenges AQMD's Agency Outreach.

Beverly King admits she was skeptical when she received the flier about the South Coast Air Quality Management District's Vendor Information Conference held last June.

"An associate from the Black Business Association faxed the information to me," said King, president and chief executive officer of King & Wright Consulting Inc. "Initially I had reservations about going, but I then heard that the AQMD was reaching out to do business with minority-owned firms. I just had a feeling I should go," she said.

According to Joe Contaoi, AQMD's director of administrative services and human resources, the AQMD is making every effort to improve its contracting and procurement record, particularly with smaller firms and companies owned by minorities, women, and disabled veterans.

"During the current fiscal year we will spend approximately $11.4 million on the procurement of supplies, services and equipment," Contaoi said.

Services, supplies and equipment required by AQMD include, but are not limited to:

- Household supplies and janitorial services;

- Temporary help;

- Consulting services;

- Public notices and advertising;

- Equipment/building maintenance;

- Rented and leased equipment;

- Computer equipment and supplies;

- Printing and graphic services;

- Automotive parts and repair;

- Clothing and safety;

- Laboratory equipment and supplies;

- Office supplies and furniture; and

- Photographic equipment and supplies.

During the half-day conference King learned all about the types of equipment and services the agency procures, its contracting and procurement process, and how to access AQMD's procurement information through the Internet.

"I was very impressed by what I heard and saw," said King. "The quality and quantity of information provided was invaluable. But I still couldn't believe that an agency such as the AQMD was making itself so available to small and minority businesses. I decided to challenge them."

King gathered copies of all the request for proposals she knew that King & Wright could respond to as a qualified bidder. She and her partner, Linda Wright, reviewed them, then decided to bid on a forms-management proposal, working with AQMD's information management team.

Three other companies also responded to the proposal but, after going through a rigorous interview and review process, King & Wright won the contract.

"The contract just arrived in the mail," said Wright, vice president and chief financial officer of the firm. "We took one look at it, then called to verify that we had been selected for the job. It was a pleasant surprise."

The two principals formed King & Wright, a full-service management consulting firm, in 1989. The firm initially specialized in the design, development and implementation of diversity programs, but it has broadened its spectrum to provide technical support, training, management advisory, and community outreach services for public and private entities.

Despite their success both King and Wright acknowledge that as a small, minority-owned firm, the hardest aspect of the job is "getting in the door." But with its vendor conference, AQMD rolled out the red carpet and met King's challenge.

"Now that we have our foot in the door, we are looking forward to a long, productive relationship with the AQMD," said Wright.

Ethnic NewsWatch SoftLine Information, Inc., Stamford, CT