Dear Editor,
Dozens of New York based Guyanese businessmen attended a seminar on how to engage in bidding for contracts with the New York City Department of Education last Thursday. The seminar was organized by the Guyanese American Richmond Hill Economic Development Council (RHEDC) led by community advocate Vishnu Mahadeo. The seminar was co-sponsored by the NYC Department of Education (NYCDOE), School Construction Authority (SCA), Queens Economic Development Corporation (QEDC) and the Minority/Women Business Entity (MWBE). This was the first time that such a seminar had been organized for Guyanese or Caribbean business owners. Vishnu Mahadeo has taken the lead to bring business activities to the Guyanese community and he has been successful in getting city agencies to address complaints by Guyanese of neglect.
The contract bidding seminar was held at the elegant Guyanese owned Krystal Hall in the heart of Richmond Hill, with the owner providing the facility free of charge to benefit the community.
Officials from the DOE and SCA made presentations on how small business owners can put in bids for contracts. The business owners who showed up at the session said they obtained invaluable information on bidding qualification and on the procedure to put in tenders. Virtually no Guyanese had previously submitted a tender to the DOE for a contract, although thousands of Guyanese attend public schools. The schools in the heart of Richmond Hill and Flatbush where most Guyanese are settled, have been undergoing repairs, but Guyanese construction companies have not put in tenders. Guyanese office suppliers have not put in bids to equip schools either.
The attendees at the small business seminar asked pertinent questions of the representative from NYCDOE, Melissa Pond and the one from NYC School Construction Authority, Gregory Glasgow. It was revealed that loans of up to US$150,000 can be provided along with access to capital for small contractors willing to do business with the city.
The School Construction Authority (SCA) is charged with designing and constructing a safe environment for students. To ensure safety, the SCA thoroughly evaluates each business that puts in a bid to do work and carries out a background check on qualification as well as suitability for the job.
In addition to being in charge of construction and repair of schools, the SCA offers a four year mentor programme for students that will provide them with on-the-job training and guidance on school construction work.
Yours faithfully,
Vishnu Bisram
