PHILADELPHIA—Technology businesses owned by people of color and women will have the opportunity to become qualified vendors of technology services to the commonwealth of Pennsylvania with participation in “Sharing the Wealth Technology Conference,” a two-day contract opportunities conference to be held Nov. 12-13 in the Keystone Building in Harrisburg. Previously scheduled for September, the conference was postponed due to the state budget impasse. Convened by the Sharing the Wealth Technology Consortium, state Rep. W. Curtis Thomas, honorary chair, this conference is part of an earnest effort to provide all segments of Pennsylvania’s business community with contract opportunities in the growing field of technology.
The conference is planned to deliver valuable information and access to solid contract opportunities in the areas of information technology, enviro-technology, nano-technology and biotechnology. Participants will have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with key state agencies that have significant budgets for procuring technology services and prime contractors participating in state tech initiatives. Participating agencies and prime contractors include the Bureau of Minority and Women Business Opportunities; Computer Aid Inc.; CGI; Diverse Technologies Corp.; CGI; the Pennsylvania Departments of Health, Environmental Protection, Public Welfare, Labor & Industry and Education among others. Additional information will be provided on accessing contracts through the broadband technology stimulus funding.
The conference also will provide participants with step-by-step instructions on being qualified by the Governor’s Office of Information Technology and certified by the Department of General Services’ Minority Business Enterprise/Women’s Business Enterprise Programs, which are both necessary before businesses can be awarded contracts on state technology initiatives.
Partners include the Enterprise Center and the Pennsylvania Minority Business Enterprise Center that have been contracted by the U.S. Department of Commerce to establish the Pennsylvania MBEC American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Advocacy and Outreach Initiative to promote minority business participation in the economic recovery of the United States. Representatives from the initiative will provide information about federal, state and local contracting and grant opportunities available under the ARRA.
The conference is being supported by Comcast, Logistics Management Consultants, Inc., LINKTECH, Inc. and the Enterprise Center.
(Pre-registration is required. For registration information e-mail mdjewett1@hotmail.com or call Progressive Images Communications at 215-379-1163.)
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