OCPS is the fourth-largest school district in Florida ( and the ninth largest in the nation ), with more than 207,000 students at 180 schools . Its supplier database includes nearly 1,850 registered women , minority and veteran-owned businesses . In fiscal year 2017 , the district ’ s total spend ( both in direct purchase orders with MBEs and subcontracting with diverse suppliers ) was approximately $ 155 million . The district ’ s commitment to supplier diversity has earned it numerous awards , including the 2017 Local Corporation of the Year honor from the Florida State Minority Supplier Development Council ( FSMSDC ).
“ Our students and families are very diverse , and we believe it ’ s good business practice to do business with companies that represent our customer base ,” said Joycelyn Henson , senior administrator in OCPS ’ Office of Business Opportunity . “ Also , spending money with small local businesses drives business back into the homes of the children and families in the areas we serve .”
Like many districts , OCPS has a myriad of procurement needs . They partner with vendors on everything from day-today supplies ( pencils , paper , toiletries ) to professional services ( legal , insurance ) to large-scale construction projects ( engineers , architects ).
To infuse diversity into its procurement process , Henson takes a two-pronged approach . “ Internally , we educate our teachers and school personnel about our supplier diversity program ,” Henson said . “ We encourage them to recommend any minority owned businesses that may want to participate in our procurement process .”
She added , “ In the community , I meet one-on-one with diverse business owners to determine specifically where the business ownership markets their products and services – who ’ s the buyer , where do we buy it , will we be procuring it again .” Henson also serves as an active participant in OCPS ’ s vendor selection process .
Making a Commitment to Mentorship
To educate and mentor small and minority-owned businesses , OCPS hosts “ How to Do Business ” sessions on the last Friday of every month . These networking events allow local business people to meet with OCPS leadership , meet some of the district ’ s buyers , ask questions about the procurement process , and teach them how to compete and market themselves to the district . “ We ’ ve been hosting these sessions for two years , and we average 10-to-12 participants each month ,” Henson said .
For OCPS , one of the greatest benefits of maintaining a robust supplier diversity program is community involvement . “ When we form relationships with other organizations that support small businesses , such as the chamber , FSMDSC , WBENC ( Women ’ s Business Enterprise National Council ), it opens up dialogue ,” Henson said . “ They are seeking business opportunities . And we ’ re encouraging them to become partners in education . So , the company makes a commitment to the school , the school makes a commitment to the company , and we work together to support public education .”
Henson points to two local minority-owned vendors who have become both business and educational partners . One , a printing company , has evolved from providing small printing needs for the district to providing large signs and banners for OCPS football games and other athletic events . “ Other parents got to know him through the school ’ s programs , and they became his customers ,” Henson said .
Another is a construction business that partnered with OCPS in its infancy . It has since grown to become one of the Orlando area ’ s 50 fastest growing companies , as ranked by the Orlando Business Journal , and won a 2017 FSMSDC MBE Supplier of the Year award .
Our students and families are very diverse , and we believe it ’ s good business practice to do business with companies that represent our customer base ...
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