Background

The Prince George’s Chamber of Commerce (PGCOC) is dedicated to fostering a thriving economic environment for businesses in Prince George’s County, enhancing the overall quality of life for its residents. As part of this mission, PGCOC has partnered with CareFirst on an equity and inclusion grant aimed at creating new opportunities for local businesses. This innovative procurement program is designed to help businesses in Prince George’s County become suppliers to CareFirst and other large corporations in the area. Click here to see CareFirst’s commitment to supplier diversity.

This program not only seeks to grow revenues for local businesses but also aims to establish a national model for equitable procurement practices, ensuring that businesses led by women and people of color have equal opportunities to succeed and scale up.

Program Overview

This six-month program takes 15 minority vendors through all the steps to be eligible and apply for procurement opportunities with CareFirst and other participating organizations. Participants will be certified as a minority supplier through the Capital Region Minority Supplier Development Council.Their first year membership will be covered in the program. 

There will be a virtual information session prior to the launch date, which will be recorded and available for viewing on https://pgcoc.org/equity-in-procurement/ 

Expectations

Participants will: 

• Attend a combination of in-person and virtual three-hour workshops over the course of six (6) months (one workshop per month)
  Attend graduation
  Complete the all the steps and provided required documentation for graduation
  Complete a baseline and post-program assessment
  Complete a check-in survey one
  year post graduation