The April 2 edition of the OhioMBE Bid Board is now available! This issue features new contracting opportunities, upcoming procurement events, and training sessions designed to help small and minority-owned businesses thrive.

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 Featured Contracting Opportunities:

•  Outdoor Classroom at Centennial High School – Bids due April 15
•  Glycol PLC System Upgrades – Bids due April 2
•  LCK Ramp 3 Reconstruction Phase 4 at Rickenbacker – Bids due April 3
•  Franklin County Property Room & Jail Records Renovations – Bids due April 3
•  2025 Township Resurfacing Program – Bids due April 15
•  Prosecutor Title Insurance Services – Bids due April 10
•  Deputy Uniforms & Accessories – Bids due April 8
•  Professional Engineering Services – Bids due April 24
•  Brentnell Pointe & Lofts at 40 Long – Details inside the Bid Board

 Read the complete Bid Board here: https://bit.ly/4hUE2cE

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 OhioMBE Procurement Fair – April 23

 Kokosing Industrial HQ, 6235 Westerville Rd, Westerville, OH
 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Meet one-on-one with purchasing reps!
 Register now at OhioMBE.com – Limited spots available!

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 OBDC April 2025 Training & Classes

 How to Prepare Your Quote: Winning the Job
 April 10 | 6:00 PM | Online
 Instructor: Daniel Odion, PE, PMP
 Free for OBDC Members | $10 Non-members

 Bonding & Insurance for Construction Companies
 April 16 | 11:30 AM | Online
 Presented by Sylvia A. Garrett & Associates

 Funding HER Future: Capital for Women-Owned Businesses
 April 22 | 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM | Online

 Register at: OHBDC.org

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 Must-Reads on OhioMBE.com:

•  Why I’m Canceling My NAACP Membership
•  Ohio Women’s Chamber of Commerce Statewide Survey
•  Columbus City Schools Continues to Fail LEDE Vendors
•  Recap: Procurement Fair & Business Success Summit
•  Who’s Really Fighting for Black Business Inclusion?

 Please share this with another business owner and encourage them to subscribe at OhioMBE.com!

Smiles,
Ronda Watson Barber
Publisher, OhioMBE

#OhioMBE #BidBoard #BlackBusiness #ConstructionOpportunities #WomenInBusiness #ProcurementFair #Bonding #FundingHERFuture #BuildSmart #SupportLocal 

The Ohio Business Development Center (OBDC) is hosting its popular Certification 101 online class today. Participants will learn the fundamentals of business certifications, discover how certifications can enhance their business opportunities, and gain essential insights into navigating certification processes effectively.

Date: Tuesday, April 1, 2025
Time: 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Location: Online (accessible from anywhere)

Businesses interested in growth and expanding opportunities are encouraged to register immediately.

Registration available at OHBDC.org

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Bids shall be submitted electronically through the www.bidexpress.com webservice until 10:00 a.m. local time on April 15, 2025, and the same will be publicly opened at the same hour at the office of the Franklin County Engineer for the labor and material necessary for the improvement of 2025 Franklin County Township Resurfacing Program, in Franklin County, Ohio. EBE Goal: 8%

Project Description: Upgrading various sections of Franklin County Township roadways with asphalt resurfacing and aggregate berm material.

All proposals shall be submitted electronically through the webservice www.bidexpress.com.  Proposals must contain the name of every person interested therein and shall be accompanied by a bid guaranty and contract bond for the full amount of bid; or in lieu of the bid guaranty and contract bond the bidder may submit a bid guaranty as provided by Section 153.54 of the Revised Code in the form of a certified check or cashier’s check. The amount of the certified check or cashier’s check shall be equal to ten percent (10%) of the bid.  The certified check or cashier’s check submitted with a bid will be held as a guarantee on an accepted bid proposal.

Bidders are required to be PRE-QUALIFIED WITH THE OHIO DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION to submit a bid for this project.

The contract will be awarded within 60 days of the bid opening date.  At that time, a bid guaranty and contract bond in the sum of 100% of the bid plus all add alternates shall be executed in accordance with Section 307.89 of the Revised Code of Ohio.

All qualified business enterprises will be afforded full opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and no bidder will be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color or national origin in awarding the subject contract.

Certified Check or Cashier’s Check will be returned to all other bidders after the Contract has been awarded.

The bidder’s address shall be included along with his/her signature on the bid.

The work shall be completed no later than October 31, 2025.  Upon failure to complete the work within the time specified, the Contractor shall be governed in accordance with Section 5555.67 of the Revised Code of Ohio.  No proposal shall be considered unless it complies with all the rules and regulations set forth in the Contract documents.  All bidders are urged to carefully read the same and comply with them.  The Board of County Commissioners reserves the right to reject any or all bids.

Adam W. Fowler, P.E., P.S.
Franklin County Engineer

OUTDOOR CLASSROOM AT CENTENNIAL HIGH SCHOOL – BID 

Sealed bids for the above-referenced project will be received by the BOARD OF EDUCATION,  City School District of Columbus, Ohio, Office of Capital Improvements, (via Public Purchase),  until Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. More information can be found on the District’s web  site at http://www.columbus.k12.oh.us/rfp. The plans and specifications are on file with Franklin  Imaging. 

The Ohio Women’s Chamber of Commerce (OWCC), a program of the Ohio Business Development Center (OBDC), is hosting an important virtual event for women entrepreneurs across Ohio.

💼 Funding HER Future

Date: Tuesday, April 22, 2025
Time: 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: Online
Cost: Free

Women business owners often face unique challenges when accessing capital. This session is designed to provide actionable insights, connect attendees to current opportunities, and share funding strategies from trusted sources.

Featured Speaker:

Shaundretta Boykins, from the State of Ohio, will discuss loan programs available to support women- and minority-owned businesses.

Additional Highlights:

• Panel discussion with financial professionals and funders
• Guidance on grants, loans, crowdfunding, and business credit
• OWCC’s downloadable Funding Resource Guide – April 2025
• Free 15-minute funding consults available for OWCC members

Space is limited. Early registration is encouraged.

This event is part of OWCC’s ongoing Financial Wellness Series designed to empower and equip women entrepreneurs with tools to build thriving businesses.

The March 26 edition of the OhioMBE Bid Board is now available and it’s filled with contracting opportunities, educational resources, and community highlights to help your business grow!

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📢 Featured Contracting Opportunities:
🏗️ Glycol PLC System Upgrades – Bids due April 2
🏗️ LCK Ramp 3 Reconstruction Phase 4 at Rickenbacker – Bids due April 3
🏗️ Columbus Police Substation Hilltop – Bids due March 31
🏗️ Franklin County Property Room & Jail Records Renovations – Bids due April 3
🏗️ Prosecutor Title Insurance Services – Bids due April 10
🏗️ Deputy Uniforms & Accessories – Bids due April 8
🏗️ Professional Engineering Services – Bids due April 24
🏗️ Brentnell Pointe & Lofts at 40 Long – Details available on the Bid Board

📌 View the complete Bid Board here: https://bit.ly/4241Rc1

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🏗️ Upcoming OBDC Construction Academy Class

How to Prepare Your Quote: Winning the Job
📆 Thursday, April 10, 2025
💻 Online with Daniel Odion, PE, PMP

🔎 Learn how to:
✅ Build competitive quotes
✅ Avoid common mistakes
✅ Communicate your value
✅ Estimate costs accurately

💰 FREE for OBDC Members | $10 for Non-members
🎟️ Register at OHBDC.org

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👷‍♀️ Women in Construction Industry Lunch – Recap

On March 20, OBDC and Ruscilli Construction hosted a dynamic Women in Construction Industry Lunch.

✨ Highlights:
• Doing business with Ruscilli
• Insight from Monica Womack, Chief of Diversity for the State of Ohio
• Navigating the prequalification process

💬 “We’re committed to making sure women are at the table and ready to compete.”
– Ronda Watson Barber, OBDC Founder & CEO

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📰 Must-Reads This Week on OhioMBE.com

✔️ Ohio Women’s Chamber of Commerce Launches Statewide Survey
✔️ Empowering Women Entrepreneurs Across Ohio
✔️ Who Is Fighting for Black Business Inclusion at Columbus City Schools?
✔️ Recap: OhioMBE Procurement Fair & Business Success Summit
✔️ Columbus City Schools Continues to Fail LEDE Vendors

📢 Please share this issue with fellow business owners and encourage them to subscribe!

Best,
Ronda Watson Barber
Publisher, OhioMBE

#OhioMBE #BidBoard #ContractingOpportunities #BlackBusiness #WomenInConstruction #SupportSmallBusiness #OBDC #BuildSmart #GrowWithOhioMBE

Woda Construction, Inc. is seeking qualified subcontractors and Section 3 individuals/businesses for two exciting affordable housing projects in Columbus, Ohio:

🏢 Brentnell Pointe – 50-unit affordable housing complex
📍 Location: 1456 Brentnell Ave., Columbus, OH
📞 Contact: Trina Walters | (740) 505-4015 | ✉️ twalters@wodagroup.com

🏙️ Lofts at 40 Long – Multi-story apartment complex
📍 Location: 40 West Long St., Columbus, OH 43215
📞 Contact: Bernie Gray | (330) 350-1477 | ✉️ bgray@wodagroup.com

🔨 Seeking subcontractors for trades including:

• Electrical
• Plumbing
• Carpentry
• And more!

🎓 On-the-job training available!
✅ Section 3 Individuals & Business Concerns encouraged to apply
✅ WBE/MBE/VBE Certified Businesses strongly encouraged

📬 Mail inquiries to:
Woda Construction, Inc.
500 S. Front St., 10th Floor, Columbus, OH 43215

Help build quality housing while growing your business or career!

#ConstructionJobs #SubcontractorOpportunities #Section3 #MBE #WBE #VBE #AffordableHousing #ColumbusOH #OhioMBE #WodaConstruction

Strengthen your ability to win contracts with OBDC’s online class “How to Prepare Your Quote: Winning the Job,” taught by industry expert Daniel Odion, PE, PMP. This interactive session covers the essentials of creating competitive, accurate, and persuasive quotes, ensuring your business stands out in the bidding process.

When: Thursday, April 10, 2025
Where: Online (details provided upon registration)

Cost:

• FREE for OBDC Members
• $10 for Non-members

Spaces are limited—reserve your spot today!

Register at OHBDC.org

Don’t miss OBDC’s FREE online class on Tuesday, March 25 at 11:30 AM!

📊 Learn how to build strong business credit and explore funding options to help your business grow.

🗣️ Presented by: Michael Towns of Adelphi Bank
📅 When: Tuesday, March 25
🕥 Time: 11:30 AM (EST)
💻 Where: Online via Zoom

✔️ Understand business vs. personal credit
✔️ Get steps to build credit from the ground up
✔️ Find out how to access funding

🎯 Perfect for new and established business owners!
🆓 FREE to attend – register now at OHBDC.org

#BusinessCredit #FundingForBusiness #SmallBizSuccess #OBDC #EntrepreneurSupport

The Ohio Business Development Center (OBDC) invites entrepreneurs and small business owners to attend a free online class on Tuesday, March 25 at 11:30 AM (EST) focused on building and strengthening business credit.

💼 Class: Building Business Credit & Funding Resources
📆 Date: Tuesday, March 25
⏰ Time: 11:30 AM (EST)
💻 Location: Online via Zoom
🎙️ Presented by: Michael Towns, Adelphi Bank

Participants will learn:
✅ How to establish and grow business credit
✅ How business credit differs from personal credit
✅ Funding sources and tools to help you access capital

Whether you’re just starting or looking to take your business to the next level, this session is packed with practical, easy-to-follow advice.

🆓 This class is free, but registration is required.

Register now at OHBDC.org and secure your spot!

#BusinessCredit #SmallBusiness #FundingResources #OBDC #Entrepreneurship #FreeClas