SOMWBA New Service
Alternate Dispute Resolution Services

In partnership with Bentley University's Service-Learning Center, we are introducing a new service to help businesses resolve disputes, save money, and preserve business relationships. Alternative Dispute Resolution ("ADR") refers to any means of settling disputes outside of the courtroom. ADR typically includes early neutral evaluation, negotiation, reconciliation, mediation, and arbitration.

The program covers the following areas:
• conflict evaluation; negotiation prep, help preparing for a negotiation;
    subcontractor - prime relationship disputes; payment problems,
    receiving payments on-time or not at all; contract disputes and/or
    non-contract disputes;
• negotiating with landlords or tenants, credit and/or finance issues.

For additional information contact John Fioriti at John.fioriti@state.ma.us or 617-973-8573.

- GRIMES OIL TODAY
Grimes Oil Co., Inc. is the oldest 100% minority (Black American) owned and operated Oil Company in New England. Today, after over 65 years in business, the ownership of the company remains in the Grimes Family with Calvin M. Grimes, Jr. as President and Treasurer.

Grimes Oil is certified as a minority owned business by the U.S. Small Business Administration, State Office of Minority and Women Business Assistance and the Greater New England Minority Purchasing Council as well as by many other states and regional authorities.

We are a supplier of #2, #4 and #6 fuel oil in specified sulfur requirements, petroleum products, all grades of unleaded gasoline, diesel (seasonally blended), and lubricants.

- GRIMES OIL YESTERDAY
Grimes Oil was established in 1940 by Calvin M. Grimes, Sr. as an ice and coal dealer. Grimes Oil became incorporated in 1969 and continues the family owned business from its headquarters in Boston.

- GRIMES OIL AND THE FUTURE
Our supply agreements throughout the New England area have accessed a network of fuel terminals. Delivery of product is accomplished by an impressive list of quality common-carrier sub-contractors. In addition, we are experienced in responding to the end user, such as utilities, whose demands require marine transport by barge or other vessel.

Our belief in slow steady growth has allowed us the ability to conform to the ever changing needs of the commercial industry. We offer a blend of technology and customer service to enable energy consumers' peace of mind.

We are a family owned full service commercial printing company and have been certified by SOMWBA since early 90's. When our company began, I was not aware of the benefits of certification but slowly when I started working on jobs with State Govt., I realized the value of certification. The staff at SOMWBA has always worked hard to help us achieve our goals. I appreciated the welcoming by new director Mr. Reginald Nunnally by his simplicity and such eagerness to help SOMWBA certified companies.

We started with one used copier in 1987 and since have become a successful small business with full color offset printing capability from business cards to brochures, envelopes to newsletters, screen printing on apparel and much more. We help new businesses with a full print and marketing package so they can get established as well. Our website, www.SterlingPrinting.com reveals our capabilities. We are geared to help companies looking to fulfill their AMP goals on State contracts and we provide ancillary services.

SOMWBA Certification helped us get the State contract for printing and copying services and eventually we added full service mailing capability. Another State contract allows us to provide promotional imprinted products. Whenever we send out bids on public printing projects, we always make a point to tell our clients about SOMWBA certification and they really find that helpful in making their decision. Another avenue where our certification has helped is companies who are HUD financed or are in management, they always are looking for SOMWBA certified businesses.

SOMWBA's newsletters provide additional opportunities. They've helped me land more business. I commend the staff at SOMWBA for taking this initiative.

The Operational Services Division for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (OSD) offers a wealth of information for businesses seeking to find municipal and state procurement opportunities. Seller training is offered free of charge for interested bidders, including SOMWBA certified vendors at various locations across the state.

Connecting Your Business to the Commonwealth features 3 training sessions: Part 1, Pathways to Procurement covers where to find bidding opportunities, the bidding process for goods and services, how to use Comm-PASS, the Commonwealth e-Procurement system and how to market to government entities; Part 2, covers SOMWBA Certification which also includes new business development and growth opportunities. Part 3 is the Affirmative Market Program (AMP), which includes training and support for all Minority and Women-Owned Businesses on how to maximize your SOMWBA certification to gain business opportunities with the Commonwealth.

OSD offers several training programs for SOMWBA certified businesses, including a hands-on training on How To Effectively Navigate Through “Comm-PASS”. For dates and locations of all the training sessions: click here.

U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Rural Development

Maril Alsup Stockwell
Public Affairs Specialist/ FOIA Coordinator
USDA, Rural Development

Who is USDA? They are a federal agency, promoting economic development opportunities for the rural areas of Southern New England. Their focus is helping not only rural communities and homeowners in rural areas, but businesses as well find the need funding for their companies. Their Rural Business and Cooperative Program last year awarded $23 million in assistance. With passage of the ARRA Stimulus Act, USDA Rural Development has additional lending funding advantages for borrowers for 2010. For those seeking business loans, but finding lender support limited, the USDA's Business & Industry (B&I) Guaranteed loans give up to 80% of the loan amount to individuals, cooperatives, partnerships for-profit and non-profit entities. The USDA's Intermediary Relending Program lends funds to intermediary organizations, which in turn provide loans to finance small businesses and community development projects. These projects must be in rural "cities" of populations of 25Kor less (all "towns" however, are eligible). They also have a Renewable Energy for America Program (REAP) which gives loan guarantees and grants to rural small businesses and agricultural producers to purchase and install renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements. Finally, the USDA has the Rural Business Opportunity Grant providing funds for technical assistance and planning activates to improve economic conditions in rural areas which are of a population of 25K or less.

They have offices in Amherst, Hadley, Holden, and West Wareham, Massachusetts. For more info, go to rurdev.usda.gov/ma (MA.) or rurdev.usda.gov/ for the national.

BID OPPORTUNITIES

Below are some of the many bid opportunities currently available to your business. We hope you will take advantage and bid on those contracts your business qualifies for.

The Commonwealth Purchasing Access and Solicitation System (Comm-PASS) and the Affirmative Market Program (AMP) and many other procurement, business assistance and referral sites.

We strongly encourage you to go to www.comm-pass.com to learn about other bid opportunities throughout the Commonwealth.

Download Bid

Boston Water & Sewer Commission Request For Proposals

PROJECT SPOTLIGHT

$185 million in ARRA funds will leverage $800 million in water infrastructure construction projects, 20 percent of new funds be used for "green infrastructure" improvements at water facilities. These facilities are highly energy intensive and account for up to 30 percent of municipal electric bills. $67 million of ARRA money will be used for the state's largest procurement of solar power installation, as well as other renewable energy and energy efficiency upgrades at waterworks.

MassDEP

Project List

Reminder letters are sent out 30 days prior to the companies expiration date. These letters detail the documentation the company is required to submit to remain in good standing.