Monthly News & Updates

October | 10

Upcoming SMSDC Events

November 2nd

Regional Task Force Virtual Workshop

December 7th

MBEIC Lunch & Learn Virtual Event

Upcoming Community Events

December 6, 2023

2023 Bexar County Business Conference - Event Information & Registration

Please email your events to Mayra Pena at mayra@smsdc.org.

Photo Gallery

Visit our gallery to view & download past event images. See what you may have missed and why you want to get engaged.

Photo Gallery

Stay Connected

President's Corner

As we enter the 4th quarter of 2023, I want to personally thank everyone for participating in our 3 major in-person conferences this year!

It was fantastic to see many of you in person, making connections and talking business.

We have our last two virtual events of 2023 coming soon. Join us on November 2nd for "Contracts in Healthcare". Latifah Jackson, Supplier Diversity Manager at University Health will discuss how to do business with University Health - San Antonio and upcoming opportunities for Certified MBEs.

Nicole Navarro-Velesiotis, MBEIC Chair, along with SMSDC are planning the last Lunch & Learn virtual event on December 7th. Stay tuned for additional details coming soon.

I'd like to take this opportunity to invite all of our certified MBEs to NMSDC's 2023 Annual Conference & Exchange. "Closing the Equity GAP" kicks off October 22-25th in Baltimore. It is a one-of-a-kind event featuring thousands of corporate executives, procurement professionals, and over 700 exhibit booths. The four-day event is filled with endless opportunities to network! If you have not already registered, please visit the event website at www.nmsdcconference.com to learn more.

On November 2nd, I hope to see some of our Certified MBEs in Novi, Michigan for Premier Platinum Sponsor, Toyota's 2023 Opportunity Exchange. This is your opportunity to connect with Toyota Tier 1 Suppliers, gain strategic insights from diversity leaders, and cultivate meaningful connections during the tradeshow. Visit www.onetoyotasupplierdiversity.com for more information. I hope to see you there!

Once again, thank you all for your participation and continuous support of SMSDC. I hope to see you all at one of our end of the year upcoming virtual events.

Sincerely,

Karen Box

SMSDC President

Visit our Website

From your MBEIC Chair:

Valued MBE’s,

I hope your October is going well. By now, you are more than likely looking at wrapping up 2023 and planning for 2024! Some of you may have a busy selling season attending industry as well as diversity-specific conferences. I look forward to attending the 2023 NMSDC Annual Conference & Exchange themed “Close the Equity Gap” in Baltimore on October 22^nd-25^th. This conference will focus on the equity gap that has persisted in this country for far too long and expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic and our country's recovery. This conference will also provide an “exchange" or tradeshow specifically for MBEs to meet Corporations seeking new partners in all types of industries. I have attended this conference for the last 12 years and I am happy to say that every year I learn a wealth of valuable information and I also return home with several new prospective business leads. It is important for our council MBEs to stay visible and active if we want to be considered for future contract opportunities.

You may have also seen previous email notifications from SMSDC regarding “Day on the Hill” in Washington, DC. Leaders and advocates of over 15,000 certified minority businesses across the country, your regional affiliates are going to Capitol Hill on Thursday, October 26th to meet with Congress and address the issues and attacks on minority businesses, and affirmative action. The overall impact on minority businesses is staggering. Our MBEs provide significant economic value directly impacting the employment and labor income in our service area and in the communities where they reside. BUT the ability of these businesses to continue to grow our local economy is at risk of being destroyed because of the challenges that are being brought through legislation and in the courts. In our service area alone, the SMSDC certified over 668 historically underutilized businesses, realized an increase of 8.4% in the aggregate MBE spend reported from $11.89B in 2021 to $12.94B in 2022. Thank you to those MBEs that have registered for this event and will represent our council.

Lastly, you will be seeing information regarding a new committee that will be formed before the end of the year. This new committee will be focused on the Construction industry and the SMSDC and I will be seeking MBEs who would like to serve on this committee. Please keep an eye out for more information as it should be coming very soon. For those of you who may not work or partner with the Construction industry, do not worry, We will be forming more committees in early 2024 and I know several of you have reached out to me with interest and we hope to have more information for you very soon.

I hope to see or speak with each of you very soon.

Respectfully,

Nicole Navarro Velesiotis

Visit our Website

Aparicio Publishing

http://www.apariciopublishing.com

Aparicio Publishing, LLC, is a full-service provider of quality educational materials for teachers and students from PreK through Higher Ed. We specialize in developing content that is diverse, equitable, inclusive, accessible, and interculturally responsive. We have created educational materials on spec for the states of Texas, California, Florida, and Illinois among others.

ASSET Solutions

www.associatedsemi.com

ASSET Solutions provides precision manufactured parts, customized components and support services to today?s high-tech industries. Our capabilities include but are not limited to, prototype to production CNC manufacturing, sheet metal fabrication and welding, abrasive blasting, thermal spray coatings, cleanroom final clean, assembly, kitting, and packaging services.

Buffalo Services Group, LLC

www.buffaloservicesgroup.com

Buffalo continues its growth trajectory within many aspects of the business, including technical capabilities, employee development, client growth, and sales and marketing. Our revenue growth is led by great customer relationships as the cornerstone of our business. The services buffalo services group provides relates to grading contracting services for companies in the region. Providing right of way clearing and remediation (tree clearing) for powerline and utility companies, and specialized trucking (dumptruck transport) for contractors in the region.

Critical Fault, LLC

www.criticalfault.com

Critical Fault's primary service offering is physical and cyber security penetration testing. For this, we take on the role of a threat actor and attempt to gain covert access to a company's facilities and data systems. We will then provide a report detailing any vulnerabilities found and provide recommendations and resources for eliminating the vulnerabilities. We also provide audit-ready risk assessments, automated vulnerability scanning, virtual CISO services, digital forensics, and cyber training.

E D C Transportation, LLC

WWW.EDCTRUCKING.COM

Long haul asset based trucking company providing over the road transportation services. We have an established terminal in El Paso, TX with over 75 state of the art semi trucks and 150 dry vans.

Fulcher Insurance & Financial Services, LLC

We are a provider of life insurance, disability insurance, long-term care insurance, group-term insurance. We also provide financial services in the following capacities: 401K, 403 Bs, IRAs, mutual funds, annuities, retirement planning, estate planning, advanced group planning, business solutions consulting, investment solutions consultants, variable universal life solutions consultants. Advanced Planning Group, Business Solutions Consultants, Investment Solutions Consultants, Disability Insurance Solutions Consultants, Life Insurance Solutions Consultants, Long-Term Care Solutions Consultants, Variable Universal Life Solutions Consultants.

Inter Precision Mold, Inc

www.inter915.com

Precision machine shop specializing in mold and die design, fabrication/repair, preventative-corrective maintenance. Capabilities include precision CNC milling, wire and sinker EDM services, and high precision manual milling, lathe, and grinding. Servicing plastic injection, automotive, medical, aerospace, DoD industries.; Prototyping, short run production, manufacturing of fixtures, tools, jigs, gages, etc. available.

International Nuclear Solutions, LLC

https://int-nucl.com/

International Nuclear Solutions, LLC, is a niche, short-term staffing firm that finds professionals, with specific, difficult-to-find technical skills, who may be located here in the US, in Mexico or abroad.

Shockwagon, LLC

www.shockwagon.com

Shockwagon provides reliable and efficient fac sand transport services; NAICS 484220, in the Permian Basin of West Texas and New Mexico. We saw an opportunity in the booming oil and gas industry in the Permian Basin and decided to start the business to meet the growing demand for frac sand transportation.

The Honor Roll

www.thehonorroll.com

The Honor Roll is a full-service creative agency that supplies advertising services such as brand strategy, campaign development, copywriting, graphic design, trade shows and events, and web development. We work in digital, print, broadcast and out-of-home.

Visual Net Design, LC

www.vndx.com

VND is a software development, IT and server hosting firm founded in San Antonio, Texas. We help businesses of all sizes grow and thrive. Our team of experts is dedicated to delivering cutting-edge technology solutions that are tailored to your unique needs. Whether you are looking to streamline your operations, increase your efficiency, or enhance your customer experience, we are here to help you achieve your goals of digital transformation. We specialize in custom application development, marketing, mobile app development, server hosting, and IT services. VND has been in business since 2002 and serves clients such as United Way, Texas State University and Natividad Hospital.

Alamo Analytical Labratories, LTD

America Samkwang INC

Avanzar Interior Products, LLC

Avanzar Interior Technologies, Ltd

Baiza and Associates Consulting LLC

Bitech Tool & Die Inc.

BKTB Group Inc. dba MC Austin

Chickasaw Health Consulting, LLC

Chloeta Holdings, LLC

Dailey and Wells Communications, Inc.

Danrick Industries Inc.

DataXport.net, LLC

Dx Xpress Inc.

Fusion Mechanical LLC

Global Containers & Custom Packaging Inc

HERO Logistics LP

Horizone Construction, 1 Ltd

Howl Transportation LLC

Interload Forwarding

Lavastida Development Group, LLC

PERIKIN Enteprises, LLC

Pesa Industrial Supply LLC

Pluma LLC

Professional Partnering Solutions, Inc.

R & D Contracting, Inc.

Ross Molina Oliveros, PC

S & T Janitorial Service LLC

Solrac Corporation

The W2 Group LLC

TRI-LIN INTEGRATED SERVICES INC

True North Bio, LLC

U.S. Envirochem, Inc

Valderrama Energy Services, LLC

Valley International Automation

Waypoint Government Solutions, LLC

Zamora Enterprises, Inc. dba BEARINGS & S ALS OF EL PASO

New MBE Applicants: Register for

Pre-Certification Sessions

Participation in the information session should take place prior to the submittal of your application to SMSDC.

All new MBE's must attend Pre-Certification & Post-Certification sessions to assist with the application process. Applicants can now schedule an appointment for One-On-One Information Sessions. The sessions are held by scheduled appointment only every Wednesday from 10am-12pm.

We will discuss:

Criteria for Certification
Review of the Application Process
Answer most common application questions

To get certified you will need to meet the criteria set forth by NMSDC, complete the online application and upload all required documentation.

Please email Alana Ortega at alana@smsdc.org to register for the Pre-Certification Session to complete the first step in the certification process.

Southwest MSDC reserves the right to review applications for Compliance Review at any given time. The Certification Committee can recommend revocation of certification, for good cause, of any certified MBE at any time. SMSDC will determine under what circumstance a business or individual business owner can reapply, length of expulsion or be permanently banned.

The termination or revocation of certification of a business concern, for good cause may be necessary, under several circumstances.

Can include, but are not limited to:

· The sale, exchange or transfer of ownership of the certified MBE;

· Failure of the certified MBE to maintain its status as a bona fide MBE as defined in these guidelines;

· Failure or refusal of the MBE to allow SMSDC representative access to /or the right to inspect the certified MBE’s place of business;

· Cessation of business operations by the certified MBE;

· Withholding notice from or failure to provide notice to SMSDC within (30) days of a loss in ownership or management or operational control by ethnic-minority group;

· Failure to notify SMSDC of change in business

· Submitting false or misleading information to Southwest MSDC

· Failure to submit an application for renewal of certification along with the required documentation within the designated timeframe.

A decision will be based upon the submission of information indicating a change in status or other circumstances that prevented certification or which caused a denial or termination of certification.

Question/comments:

Alana Ortega,

Certification Manager

alana@smsdc.org

IN NMSDC NEWS...

NMSDC Database Adds Improved MBE Profiles

POSTED ON SEPTEMBER 19, 2023 BY JERED WEBER

www.nmsdc.org

Enhanced MBE profile features are coming to NMSDC’s new certification database in November. These changes, aimed at creating a more intuitive user experience, will make it easier for NMSDC corporate members and other MBEs to find your business. Something that will make getting access to contracts with NMSDC corporate members and building strategic alliances with your fellow MBEs much easier.

The new features include:

Capability statements and video introductions

For the first time ever, you will be able to upload capability statements directly into the system. In addition, you can record video introductions to provide corporate members with an interactive first look at your business.

United Nations Standard Products and Services Codes (UNSPSC ) Codes and Descriptions

These global business codes will enrich MBE profiles with more searchable keywords, enabling NMSDC corporate members and certified MBEs to more easily find MBEs that fulfill their contracting needs. And since more than 15% of NMSDC members use UNSPSC codes in their procurement functionality already, they will be able to match precisely to suppliers that sell what they want to buy.

Self-Service Profile Updates

In the old system, MBEs didn’t have access to their company profile and instead had to reach out to their local regional affiliate to make any changes to their business information. In the new database, you can log into the system and make certain field updates directly, ensuring your record always includes the most up-to-date information.

Don’t want to wait for the official rollout of the new database to take advantage of these exciting new features? Join us at this year’s Annual Conference & Exchange in Baltimore October 22 – 25. NMSDC certification staff will be running interactive demos in the NMSDC booth during the Exchange. You will be able to access the new database and get a head start on updating your profile! If you plan on updating your paper capability statement, please make sure it is in either a PDF or JPG format.

Be one of the first MBEs to enhance your profile by registering for this year’s Annual Conference & Exchange at nmsdcconference.org/2023/register.

Upcoming Events

"CONTRACTS IN HEALTHCARE"

WEBINAR

brought to you by SMDSC's Regional Task Force

November 2nd

12 p.m. to 1 p.m. CST

Join us on Thursday, November 2nd for a webinar on "How to Obtain Contracts in Healthcare" and "Upcoming Opportunities". A speaker from University Health Systems - San Antonio will present and be available for Q&A.

Latifah Jackson

Supplier Diversity Manager

University Health Procurement Services

MEET OUR SPEAKER

Latifah Jackson is a procurement professional specializing in Texas government procurement and a small business advocate. Latifah is currently the Supplier Diversity Manager at University Health in San Antonio, Texas. Her mission is to educate business owners on how to do business with government entities and help them further develop their companies. She has developed and lead efforts locally and nationally. Latifah prides herself with being a learner, having an innovative thought process and excellent customer service, which she credits for her quick acceleration in her career. Latifah is a Certified Texas Procurement Manager, Certified Texas Contract Manager and a Certified Contracts Administrator. Latifah currently serves on the Board for the South Central Texas Regional Certification Agency, Board of Directors as Member at Large for the San Antonio Public Purchasing Association and participates in other Professional Organizations. She also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Texas A&M Corpus Christi and is currently pursuing her Master’s in Business Administration from University of Incarnate Word.

STAY TUNED FOR OUR 2024 CALENDAR OF EVENTS TO BE RELEASED SOON!

Thank you to all of our sponsors!

SMSDC | Contact Us | Events | Past Newsletters