CU Grow Hosts Second Procurement Event for Cohort 5
The CU Grow Vendor Development program hosted its second virtual procurement event of 2021 on June 10, 2021, providing minority-, women- and locally owned (MWL) businesses and representatives from Columbia University Facilities & Operations (CUFO) leadership to network and discuss potential business opportunities with the University. The event brought together the current CU Grow cohort, as well as alumni of the program, to meet with Columbia University project managers, procurement representatives, and partner organizations to discuss potential contracting opportunities and MWBE resources.
CUFO Project Managers including Olivia Freeland (Planning & Capital Project Management) Raphael Lynch (Campus Operations, Morningside Campus), Elizabeth Ramsey, and Sunny Kim (Capital Project Management Exteriors and Historic Preservation) presented on upcoming renovation and improvement projects available for bidding opportunities.
The CUFO presenters were also joined by Ryan J. Smith, Director of Business Development for the Division of Minority and Women’s Business Development at Empire State, who presented the new website providing MWBE’s access to certification assessment tools, information on MWBE eligibility requirements, and the NYS MWBE application. Additionally, attendees were provided tips and learned the importance of maintaining an accurate vendor profile for business growth.
The event concluded with breakout sessions, allowing participants to network virtually with each presenter and ask questions better to align their business capabilities for available contracting opportunities.
The CU Grow Program is currently accepting interest forms for Cohort 6, which will begin in 2022. To learn more about the program offerings and how to apply, complete the interest form, and visit cufo.columbia.edu/cu-grow.
