Background
Zander Design, a Small, Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), and Women Owned Small Business (WOSB) certified firm located in Berkeley California, provides landscape architecture, planning, and graphic design services for public agencies and nonprofits that manage public trails, parks, and transportation systems, as well as graphic design services for individuals and nonprofits advocating for equitable access to safe transportation and nature. They discovered Norcal PTAC in 2020 at a WOSB webinar.
Challenges
Zander Design came to Norcal PTAC wanting assistance with submitting their DBE and WOSB certification applications so they could narrow their competition and be eligible for special “set-aside” contracts. They also needed help with figuring out which government agencies often purchased their kinds of services and how to market themselves to those agencies. They were experiencing difficulties in making connections with government buyers and identifying bid opportunities that were right for them.
Actions
The Owner of Zander Design, Sofia Zander, met with her Norcal PTAC Procurement Specialist once per week, resulting in 36 counseling sessions to date. Norcal PTAC advised on how to update registrations like SAM and Cal eProcure as well as how to submit their DBE and WOSB certifications. They also facilitated important connections with agencies like the Army Corps of Engineers, cities, and counties. Norcal PTAC helped Ms. Zander review several Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and Requests for Quotes (RFQs), and how to properly analyze a loss so that their chances of winning projects increased with every submission.
Results
Zander Design successfully became DBE and WOSB certified and is currently working on their HUBZone certification. They won several contracts with various government agencies including City of Pacific Grove, City of Fremont, and California Delta Protection Commission totaling more than $470,000.
