Uncategorized

December 18 OhioMBE Procurement Fair – New Participants Announced!

by

The December 18 OhioMBE Procurement Fair, hosted by Franklin County, is shaping up to be a powerful year-end networking event for small business owners.

We’re excited to welcome several local construction companies, all interested in meeting small businesses working in the construction industry, including subcontractors, suppliers, trades, and construction service providers:

  • Elford Construction
  • Ruscilli Construction
  • ProMetric Construction

Also confirmed to attend:

  • Upper Arlington City Schools
  • Ohio Department of Natural Resources
  • Franklin County Purchasing
  • Columbus Zoo & Aquarium

Franklin County Resource Hub

Franklin County will also host a Small Business Resource Hub during the event.
Local resource providers and small-business support organizations will be available to share programs, technical assistance, certification insights, funding tools, and more.
Registration is not required to visit the Resource Hub — it’s open to the public during event hours.

This is the final OhioMBE Procurement Fair of 2025 — the perfect opportunity to introduce your product or service, learn about upcoming projects, and make meaningful contracting connections before the year ends.

If you haven’t secured your ticket yet, now’s the time:
buytickets.at/the912group

More organizations are confirming daily. Stay tuned to OhioMBE.com and our social media channels for updates.

Support OBDC This Giving Tuesday

by

Support OBDC This Giving Tuesday

The Ohio Business Development Center has spent years helping entrepreneurs secure contracts, get certified, access financing, and build stronger businesses.
If OBDC has supported your journey in any way—through a referral, a class, advocacy, a connection, or hands-on assistance—we invite you to give back this Giving Tuesday.

Your contribution helps us continue providing:

  • Practical business training
  • Construction industry education
  • Certification support
  • Capital readiness
  • Vendor advocacy
  • Community-centered programming

Every gift, large or small, powers our mission.

👉 Donate today at Givebutter.com/OBDC

Thank you for supporting small business growth across Ohio.

Maximizing Profit & Performance in Construction: Dec. 3

by

 Wednesday, December 3, 2025
 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM EST
 Online (Zoom)
Hosted by the OBDC Construction Academy

If you’re ready to finish 2025 strong, this class is for you. Construction moves fast, margins are tight, and every decision can impact your bottom line. This session breaks down practical, everyday strategies that help contractors work smarter, stay organized, and keep more profit in the business.

Whether you’re a subcontractor, running a small crew, or juggling multiple projects, you’ll walk away with tools you can use right away.

What we’ll cover:

  • Smarter pricing and estimating tips
  • How to tighten up your workflow and reduce delays
  • Common money-wasting mistakes — and how to avoid them
  • Simple systems that help you stay efficient and profitable
  • How consistent performance leads to stronger relationships and more opportunities

This is a real-world, no-nonsense class designed with small construction businesses in mind.

Who should attend:

Contractors, subcontractors, project managers, and business owners looking to strengthen operations and protect their profit margins.

Registration:

Sign up at OHBDC.org
Free for OBDC members.

Let’s close out 2025 with confidence, clarity, and a solid plan to win more work in the new year.

The November 24 OhioMBE Bid Board is live

by
OhioMBE Bid Board Preview
OhioMBE Logo
A publication of The 912 Group
Ronda Watson Barber, Publisher
Connecting small and minority businesses to cash, contracts, and connections across Ohio. Review bid notices at OhioMBE.com.
🔨 Bid Opportunities

Columbus City Schools issues RFQ for professional design services
https://ohiombe.com/archives/25865

Franklin County issues RFP for Bomb Squad Robot
https://ohiombe.com/archives/25862

CMHA issues bid notice for Canals Edge Renovations
https://ohiombe.com/archives/25855

📅 Upcoming Events

Visit OhioDiversityNetworks.com for more events statewide.

Small Business Orientation
🗓️ Dec 2, 5:00 PM – 7:15 PM
Online – Startup basics, resources, and planning.

Maximizing Profit & Performance in Construction
🗓️ Dec 3, 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Online – Taught by Daniel Odion, P.E., PMP.
OHBDC.org

End-of-Year Tax Prep for Small Businesses
🗓️ Dec 10, 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Online – Free event by Wanda Curry.
OHBDC.org

Strategic HR Planning
🗓️ Dec 10, 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Online – OBDC Construction Academy.

Understanding ODOT’s New DBE Certification Rules
🗓️ Dec 16, 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Online – Register at OHBDC.org

🤝 OhioMBE Procurement Fair

The final Procurement Fair of the year is Dec. 18 at the COED Center. Register at buytickets.at/the912group.

Confirmed Participants:

  • Columbus Zoo & Aquarium
  • Franklin County Purchasing
  • Upper Arlington City Schools
  • ODNR
  • Ruscelli Construction
  • Prometrics Construction

Why Attend: Direct meetings with buyers, project insight, networking, and access to Franklin County’s Resource Hub.

📚 OBDC Construction Academy Library

The OBDC Construction Academy video library is now open! Watch recorded sessions on demand.

Topics Include:

  • Subcontractor Bidding
  • Coordinating Subcontractors
  • Change Orders
  • Cleaning & Quality Control
  • Prevailing Wage
  • Hauling & Logistics

Free for members. Small fee for public. Watch at OHBDC.org.

✍🏾 Publisher’s Notes

CCS Can’t Talk Budget Cuts While Ignoring Basic Responsibilities
Read the full column

Public Comment – LEDE Program & Leadership Accountability
Read the full statement

Save the Date: December OhioMBE Procurement Fair

by

The final OhioMBE Procurement Fair of 2025 is almost here!
Join us on Thursday, December 18 at the COED – Center for Entrepreneurial Development in Columbus for one more chance to make meaningful contracting connections before the year ends.

This is your opportunity to:

  • Meet purchasing representatives
  • Connect with primes and public agencies
  • Learn about upcoming contracting opportunities
  • Strengthen your network heading into 2026

Participating organizations will be posted soon at OhioMBE.com
Stay tuned to our website and social media channels for updates.

Daniel Odion Is Back and Dropping Gems: Don’t Miss “Developing Contract Scope for Effective Project & Program Delivery”

by

Every strong construction project starts with one thing: clarity. And nothing drives clarity like a well-written scope of work. If your scopes aren’t tight, your project isn’t tight — period.

That’s why the next OBDC Construction Academy class is one you don’t want to miss.

On Wednesday, November 19, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM, industry pro Daniel Odion, P.E., PMP returns to the virtual classroom — and you already know he’ll be dropping gems.

Why This Class Matters

A scope of work isn’t just paperwork. It’s your roadmap, your protection, and your blueprint for how the job gets done.

When scopes are unclear, confusion follows. And confusion leads to delays, rework, strained relationships, and costly disputes.

This session gives you the tools to avoid all of that. Daniel will break down how to:

  • Define deliverables that leave no room for guesswork
  • Create scopes that protect your business interests
  • Improve communication between primes and subs
  • Align expectations from day one
  • Keep projects on track and on budget

His teaching style is direct, practical, and rooted in real-world experience — exactly what contractors need.

What You’ll Walk Away With

Expect clear examples, real construction scenarios, and actionable steps you can apply immediately. Daniel has a gift for making complex topics simple, and every class he teaches leaves attendees with a notebook full of ideas they can put to work the next morning.

Class Details

📅 Wednesday, November 19, 2025
⏰ 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
📍 Zoom

Registration is free, and OBDC members can also access the full library of recorded sessions.

👉 Sign up today at OHBDC.org

If you’re serious about leveling up your project delivery — and learning from someone who truly knows the game — this is your class. Let’s build better, smarter, and with intention.

The OBDC Construction Academy Library Is NOW OPEN!

by

The wait is over — the OBDC Construction Academy video library is officially open and ready for you!

Daniel Odion has been dropping gems all year, delivering practical, real-world solutions to the issues contractors face every day. And now, every recorded session is available on demand.

Whether you missed the live classes or want to revisit a topic, the full library is just a click away.

What’s Inside the Library?

Our most popular training sessions, including:

  • Winning Strategies for Subcontractor Bidding
  • Coordinating Subcontractors
  • Managing Change Orders
  • Construction Cleaning & Quality Control
  • Prevailing Wage Basics
  • Hauling & Logistics Management
  • …and more!

Access Details

✅ Free for OBDC members
💵 Nominal fee for the public
📍 Watch anytime at OHBDC.org

This is the perfect time to sharpen your skills, grow your business capacity, and stay competitive in the construction industry.

The OBDC Construction Academy Library is officially open — dive in and start learning today!

OBDC Informational Session: Understanding ODOT’s New DBE Certification Rules

by

The Ohio Business Development Center (OBDC) will host a special online informational session on ODOT’s new DBE certification and recertification requirements.

ODOT officials will join us to break down the recent federal Interim Final Rule (IFR) and explain exactly how Ohio is implementing these changes.

**🗓️ Tuesday, December 16

⏰ 11:30 AM
💻 Online Session – Free to Attend
🔗 Register at: OHBDC.org**

What You’ll Learn

ODOT will provide clear guidance on the major changes now in effect, including:

🔸 Mandatory Reevaluation of All DBE Firms

All DBE firms previously certified under race- or sex-based presumptions must be reevaluated. This includes many Black-, women-, and disadvantaged-owned firms in the Ohio UCP directory.

Reevaluation requires:

  • A personal narrative documenting disadvantage
  • A personal net worth statement
  • Additional DBE financial & business documentation

🔸 Suspension of DBE Contract Goals

Under the IFR:

  • No new DBE contract goals can be set on projects effective on or after Oct. 3, 2025
  • DBE participation on new contracts cannot be counted toward DBE goals until firms complete recertification

Who Should Attend

  • Current DBE firms
  • Firms preparing new DBE applications
  • Minority-, women-, and disadvantaged-owned businesses
  • Primes needing clarity during the goal suspension
  • Purchasing professionals and community partners

Why This Matters

These new federal rules fundamentally change how disadvantage is evaluated and how DBE participation works in Ohio. This session will help you understand what’s required and how to prepare your business for recertification.

🎟️ Registration is FREE

Register now at OHBDC.org

Columbus City Schools issues RFQ for professional design services

by

LEGAL NOTICE
REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS

The Columbus City School District is requesting Statements of Qualifications from firms interested in providing professional design services in the following categories:

  • Architect of Record

  • Landscape Architect

  • Civil Engineer

  • Engineer of Record

Firms can access detailed information and submission requirements on the District’s website:
http://www.columbus.k12.oh.us/rfp

Franklin County issues RFP for Bomb Squad Robot

by

LEGAL NOTICE
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS – RFP #2025-62-22
BOMB SQUAD ROBOT

The Franklin County Board of Commissioners, on behalf of the Franklin County Emergency Management and Homeland Security (FCEM&HS), is seeking proposals from qualified vendors to provide a Bomb Squad Robot that meets the specifications outlined in the Request for Proposals (RFP).

Proposal Opening:
Thursday, December 4, 2025, at 2:00 p.m.

All amendments and clarifications for this solicitation will be posted on the Franklin County Purchasing Department website. Interested parties are solely responsible for reviewing and monitoring the site for updates:
http://purchasing.franklincountyohio.gov/businesses/bid-opportunities/

Pre-Proposal Conference: None scheduled.

Questions:
Email: annie.spann1@franklincountyohio.gov
Phone: 614-525-3750

Written Question Deadline:
November 20, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. EST

Franklin County Board of Commissioners:
Erica C. Crawley, President
John O’Grady, Commissioner
Kevin L. Boyce, Commissioner