State of Rhode Island Division of Purchases
The Rhode Island Division of Purchases is the State’s procurement host that links the vendor community with opportunities to supply goods and services, including vertical and horizontal construction, to the State. Ocean State ProcuresTM (OSP), the State’s newly implemented eProcurement system, transitions the State to an electronic and paperless bid platform, allowing registered vendors to submit bids online.

“Working with SupplyRI during Covid-19 enabled us to broaden our vendor outreach for personal protective equipment (PPE) needed to protect Rhode Islanders, and ensure continuity of operations.” – Nancy R. McIntyre, State Purchasing Agent, Division of Purchases
Supplier spotlight: Business Adaptation Grant Program awardees
SupplyRI would like to highlight our Business Adaptation Grant awardees for demonstrating a proclivity for the resiliency and adaptation necessary to weather the COVID-19 pandemic. The Business Adaptation Grant Program was designed to assist companies dramatically constrained and significantly impacted by the public health emergency resulting from the COVID 19 pandemic. The program successfully awarded $3.2 million in relief to 99 local businesses.

"American Ecotech is now able to move forward with further protecting our employees during COVID-19 thanks to the Adaptation Grant. We will be able to have more availability for employees going remote, and be able to service customers remotely at a higher standard.” - Traci Lasher, American Ecotech

"This grant has changed our business forever. We are able to continue to pivot and grow thanks to the Business Adaptation Grant." - Mariana Silva-Buck, Little Maven Lemonade

"We are very grateful to the SupplyRI team for the Business Adaption Grant and assistance. With the funding made available by this program, we are able to adapt our business strategy for the current economic climate and be better prepared for and more durable against future sudden changes in our economy." - Will Burgess, Flat Waves Food Shack
Resource partner of the month: Center for Women & Enterprise (CWE) 
The Center for Women & Enterprise (CWE) Rhode Island is a nonprofit economic empowerment organization with a mission to strengthen Rhode Island’s communities and economy by supporting women to launch and grow their businesses. The CWE team is committed to helping small business owners survive the COVID-19 pandemic and thrive in this new virtual world. In the spirit of coming together (remotely), CWE is hosting a new monthly networking hour every first Thursday of the month in 2021. All are welcome to join for the first virtual “CWE RI Coffee Chat” on Thursday, January 7 at 8:00 a.m. EST. Grab some coffee and tune in to meet the CWE RI team, chat with fellow entrepreneurs, and stay updated about upcoming training events. Sign up for the CWE newsletter for more information.
 
“The business connections fostered by SupplyRI play a vital role in the success of Rhode Island’s small and diverse business community – now, more than ever,” says Angela Nitschke, COVID Business Recovery Project Manager, CWE RI. “As we ring in a new year, we welcome new opportunities to partner with SupplyRI to strengthen women-owned businesses in Rhode Island.” 
Best Regards,

Doris Blanchard
Assistant Director, SupplyRI
401.278.9127