CU Grow Hosts First Procurement Event of 2021 for Cohort 5

The CU Grow Vendor Development program hosted its first procurement event of 2021 on April 15, virtually bringing together the program’s fifth cohort of 21 minority-, women-, and locally owned (MWL) firms with program alumni and project managers from Columbia University Facilities and Operations. The CU Grow program hosts four procurement events throughout the 11-month program to provide participants the opportunity to learn more about upcoming business and networking opportunities within the University. To date, 80 percent of the 68 MWL firms who have graduated from the CU Grow program have been awarded contracts within Columbia University.

At the event, several representatives at Columbia University provided an overview of their departments, contracting and procurement opportunities they oversee, and pending projects potentially available to bid to MWL firms.  David M. Greenberg, executive vice president of Columbia University Facilities and Operations opened the program, followed by Francisco Pineda, director of M.S, Construction Administration at the Columbia University School of Professional Studies. Other Columbia presenters included Tom O’Donnell, executive director of Manhattanville Operations, and Michael Divitto III, procurement manager for Capital Finance and Procurement.

The CU Grow participants also learned about how to prepare their business for risk through insurance resources for their businesses, including what to expect in the New York construction insurance market and the elements of “top shelf” insurance submission from partner presenters Andis Woodlief, principal of Contractor Compliance LLC, and Anthony Amicucci, a controlled insurance program specialist for Turner Surety and Insurance Brokerage, Inc.

To learn more about the CU Grow Vendor Development program, visit cugrow.columbia.edu.