HVAC and Plumbing Business Opportunities Session Draws 50+ Participants

Office of Business Programs Director Jack Howard tells contractors what to expect from the information session.

It was only the second of what are monthly business opportunity information sessions hosted by the Office of Business Programs – this one, conducted on February 25, for HVAC and plumbing businesses. The meeting room started filling quickly; before long, more than fifty participants arrived.

“These sessions are opportunities for you to learn as much as possible prior to bid solicitations,” Secretary Bassette said in her welcoming remarks. “In alignment with Governor Hogan’s mission to change Maryland for the better, we are changing the culture at DGS. It’s not business as usual.”

The overwhelming interest in last November’s first annual Business Opportunities & Entrepreneurial Training Summit underscored a strong need in the small business community for information about contract opportunities with the state and how to compete successfully for them. The industry-specific business opportunity information sessions are an outgrowth of the summit, and the fast-growing interest in them confirms that the need is still there. Like the business summit, they provide unprecedented access to project managers and procurement officers, along with valuable information about contract opportunities.

“We’re leading the charge to help you get your fair share of millions of dollars in state contracts,” Secretary Bassette said.

At the next business opportunities information session, scheduled for Thursday, March 31^st , project managers will discuss the upcoming project for the demolition of the existing and design of the new Maryland Justice Center in Baltimore.