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NAMC – April Lunch & Learn Harris Health LBJ Hospital Expansion
April 10 @ 11:30 am - 1:00 pm CDT
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NAMC – April Lunch & Learn Harris Health LBJ Hospital Expansion
Join us on Wednesday, April 10th at 11:30 AM to learn how to do business with Harris Health System and its major Prime Contractors on the LBJ Hospital Expansion project.
NAMC – April Lunch & Learn Harris Health LBJ Hospital Expansion Topic: 140 Local M/WBE Firms Benefit from $70 Million in Harris Health Contracts
More than 15 months after adopting its minority- and women-owned business enterprise (M/WBE) program in September 2022, Harris Health System reports* awarding more than $70 million in contracts to 140 M/WBE firms to achieve a 20% milestone of working with more minority- and women-owned businesses, achieving its initial aspirational goal.
“While our annual report (October 2022 to September 2023) shows amazing gains in our M/WBE program, the program continues to excel,” says Derek J. Holmes, vice president, Contract Administration and Contractor Diversity, Harris Health, a new department set up to achieve greater contractor diversity. “In fiscal year 2024, we’re still seeing our overall awarding of M/WBE contracts well above our aspirational goal. That’s an increase of 152% since the program kicked off in 2022.”
At first, Harris Health reported its low percentage of M/WBE contracts in April 2022 after it commissioned a disparity study to examine its practices. Conducted by Colette Holt & Associates, the study found that Harris Health had only achieved a 7.9% utilization rate of M/WBE contracts for fiscal years 2018 and 2019.
“The unwavering support from Harris Health’s senior leadership and the Board of Trustees has made these achievements possible,” Holmes adds. “Although there is still much work ahead, I am exceptionally pleased with the program’s establishment and the exciting initiatives on the horizon.”
Moreover, the study examined whether firms have equal access to contracting opportunities on Harris Health’s prime contracts and associated subcontracts. It also made strategy recommendations to ensure full and fair competition. Many of the recommendations Harris Health has already adopted include creating race-and-gender-conscious measures for its procurement programs and creating a senior leadership position to oversee efforts toward diversity and inclusion in contracting.
“The study, while painful to see, gave us a road map and a starting point to offer more opportunities for M/WBE and small businesses to help support Harris Health’s mission to serve our community with high-quality healthcare for all Harris County residents,” says Esmaeil Porsa, MD, president and CEO, Harris Health. “I’m proud of our efforts to this point, but realize there is much work to make the awarding of contracts an equitable and sustainable reality.”
Since the creation of its Contractor Diversity Department, Harris Health has achieved an impressive 139% increase in M/WBE contractor awards. Through an aggressive campaign to educate the community, the contractor program has been able to assist local M/WBE firms in engaging with Harris Health, pursuing contracts, expanding their capacities, and directly opening more business opportunities to support the system.
Other milestones achieved by the M/WBE program for the fiscal year (October 2022 to September 2023):
- Achieved 18.9% contract awards to M/WBE firms
- Awarded 100 individual contracts using 126 M/WBE firms
- Participated in outreach to about 20,000 contractor touchpoints
- Solidified a M/WBE policy including race and gender-neutral procedures
- Hired a program director and supporting team
- Hosted internal and external training on program requirements
- Launched a resource center and capacity-building initiatives
Furthermore, the successful passage of Harris Health’s $2.5 billion bond election in November 2023 holds great promise to increase the opportunities for M/WBE and small business well into the next decade, Holmes says.
“Looking ahead, I am particularly excited about the upcoming hospital and clinic campus expansion projects and the opportunity those projects will bring to the Contractor Diversity Program,” he adds. “The LBJ Hospital campus, with its rich history in northeast Harris County, is set to undergo significant growth with plans for a new hospital, central utility plant and a parking garage to enhance the provision of medical, social and mental healthcare and outpatient services.
Doing Business with Harris Health
On the whole, county agencies spend millions of dollars annually providing necessary services to the citizens of Harris County. Likewise, our goal is to ensure these expenditures achieve maximum value for money by ensuring efficient practices, transparent processes and fair and open competition. Under the County Purchasing Agent, Harris Health’s Office of the Purchasing Agent is responsible for all contracts for goods and services. However, the County Office is responsible for construction contracts.
Become a Harris County Vendor
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Visit the Harris County Bonfire Portal (Bonfire support available here)
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Upload requested documents
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Create a vendor account
M/WBE Eligibility
M/WBE eligibility includes for-profit organizations certified as a Minority- or Woman-owned Business Enterprise by an approved Certification Program that has a place of business located within the marketplace or has a significant local business presence.
New Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital and Expansion
Harris Health Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital has a long, rich history in northeast Harris County, providing an oasis of care in this underserved area.
To preserve and expand our impact and to ensure that we meet the future needs of the community, Harris Health is investing in the complete transformation of the LBJ campus.
Specifically, a recent facility assessment revealed that the 33-year-old hospital is nearing the end of its useful life. Ultimately, the campus plans call for two towers and a parking garage. This will provide a more comprehensive range of high-level medical, social, and mental health care and outpatient services.
In sum, plans for the new campus include:
- More inpatient beds
- Private inpatient beds
- Access to more specialty and critical care services, including heart and stroke care
- Level I trauma capable to include being equipped for a helipad
- Larger operating rooms
- Expanded cancer care
- Expanded psychiatric and behavioral health services
About the National Association of Minority Contractors (NAMC)
Overall, our vision is to prepare and position deserving minority and female-owned businesses to win contracts, increase branding visibility, and expand their client base through relationship development opportunities. In particular, NAMC provides:
- EDUCATION — NAMC provides a quarterly training series that includes workshop topics ranging from RS Means, Davis Bacon, Estimating, Professional Development, and OSHA training. Also, NAMC will provide hands-on workshops for companies interested in pursuing work with government agencies.
- TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE — Back office support is critical to your business’s growth. NAMC offers members assistance with HUB and City of Houston (COH) certifications. Relationships with city and state agencies expedite completed applications.
- ADVOCACY — NAMC National pursues advocacy initiatives on behalf of members that affect the industry and minority contractors collectively. Member Protection is very important to NAMC and we make great strides to ensure that the interests of NAMC members are looked after.
- NETWORKING — Our monthly meetings and annual events foster an opportunity to meet and greet other contractors in the market. Having the ability to meet with prime contractors allows your company a chance to establish relationships and develop strategic partnerships with other members of similar size and work scope.
- PROCUREMENT — A major position of NAMC is to bring about wider procurement and business opportunities for minority contractors. All of the State of Texas agencies post their major projects on the Texas Marketplace.
- BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT — Our ongoing commitment to assist small businesses is through the development of our Member-to-Member program. It is through the creation of this program that real capacity-building opportunities are created. NAMC conducts a matchmaking process aimed at connecting NAMC members with prime contractors.
About B2G Victory
B2G Victory is a proud member of the National Association of Minority Contractors.
Also, be sure to visit the B2G Victory Events page! There, you will find more events and educational opportunities to grow your business through government contracts.