A&M International Hosts Economic Opportunity Forum Thurs., Oct. 16

Small business owners and vendors who are interested in selling products or services to the State of Texas are invited to attend a free "Economic Opportunity Forum" at Texas A&M International University on Thursday, Oct. 16 from 2 - 7 p.m. in the Great Room of the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library-Administration Building (room 319).

The free event will include training sessions on State bidding requirements and procedures, Certification requirements for the Centralized Master Bidder List (CMBL) and Historically Underutilized Business (HUB), specialized State agency purchasing requirements, plus question and answer panels on how to do business with the State.

Opportunities for networking with purchasers from State agencies, universities, and other governmental entities, plus opportunities for spot and future bidding will be provided after the panel sessions.

The Forum will also include training sessions for State agency purchasers. Scheduled training for purchasing personnel includes HUB reporting, CMBL and HUB Certification requirements, and accessing electronic State vendor information.

Portions of the Forum will be presented by representatives of the General Services Commission. The General Services Commission maintains the list of registered bidders to be used by State agencies, city and county governments, school districts, and public institutions of higher education for all purchases or other acquisitions for which competitive bidding or competitive sealed proposals are required.

The Forum is sponsored by A&M International, the State of Texas, State Representative Henry Cuellar, State Senator Judith Zaffirini, and the Laredo Development Foundation's Small Business Development Center.

For additional information on the Economic Opportunity Forum at A&M International Oct. 16, please contact Laura Rea, Director of Purchasing and Support Services at A&M International, at (956) 326-2350 or by email at lrea@tamiu.edu.

University office hours are 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday - Friday.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at pais@tamiu.edu