In 2021, federal, state and local contract opportunities in the San Antonio area represented more than $9 billion. One agency holds the keys.
The Eatery Culinary Group, which runs a small cafe inside UTSA's School of Data Science building, almost lost the chance to bid on an airport concession contract.Internal strife at a tiny agency that certifies small and minority-owned businesses to compete for billions in public contracts put some of those companies at risk of missing out on three lucrative airport concessions contracts this year.
Landing public contracts can be life changing for small-business owners like Terry. In 2021, federal, state and local contracting opportunities in the San Antonio area represented more than $9 billion — $4.2 billion of that from local government contracts alone. To prove their eligible status, companies get certified — and in the Bexar County region, those have been handled by the SCTRCA since 1998. As a nonprofit agency, it was formed through an interlocal agreement among the city, Bexar County and 11 other public entities that also use certified businesses in contracting and procurement.contracting opportunities and two federal.
Emails obtained through open records requests show that in the days leading up to and after Christmas, several board members were frantically searching for a solution to complete the federal certifications. Ultimately, the board asked the city to delay its deadline to give the new interim executive director, who would begin in mid-January, time to review and complete the certifications.
Just two employees review hundreds of applications each month, said Watson, whose day job is serving as director of Bexar County’s Small Business and Entrepreneurship Department. Bass, and is auditing past certification decisions, according to her Feb. 28 presentation to the board. Underway since 2022, Supply SA aims to streamline and standardize the procurement process among these disparate organizations to help more local small businesses bid — and win — contracts.said he’s putting together a committee to hear from Thomas and learn what steps will be necessary to shore up the SCTRCA, whose members largely overlap with those of Supply SA.
“One of the important initiatives of Supply SA was to get the certification process squared away: get it fair, get it accurate, get it competent, get it professional,” Cisneros said. In addition to the federal certification Hernandez needed for the airport contract, her company holds several local certifications. Those helped the Eatery win corporate dining contracts for the San Antonio Independent School District and SAWS.
The state’s other regional certification agency, which serves the Dallas region, faced questions about performance and transparency after it sought to keep its records from the public. Changes were made in 2014 afterIn San Antonio, stakeholders within SCTRCA’s board know it’s time for a change.to review the agency’s policies and procedures top-to-bottom, while keeping certifications moving. Between Dec. 1, when the previous executive director was fired, and Feb.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Best Restaurants in San Antonio | San Antonio Express-NewsA guide to San Antonio and the Hill Country's best dining and drinks
Read more »
Car thief shoots at owner during chase before crashing and being caughtSAN ANTONIO -According San Antonio Police Department, the incident
Read more »
Real Estate News | San Antonio Express-NewsSan Antonio and Hill Country real estate news, from the San Antonio Express-News.
Read more »
Woman inspects church to find man inside closet with gun, unknown suspect fleesSAN ANTONIO -According to San Antonio Police Department,
Read more »
Public Theater of San Antonio rebrands as San Pedro Playhouse, announces new seasonThe San Antonio theater company formerly known as The Public Theater has rebranded, returning to its original moniker: the San Pedro Playhouse. The name change pays homage to the theater’s 95-year residency in its San Pedro Springs Park venue, and the legacy that follows such a milestone, according to officials with the organization.
Read more »
San Diego unemployment rate hits highest level since 2021Retail and tourism hiring dropped in January as holiday hiring ended. Other sectors lost jobs too, such as
Read more »