MetroConnect: How to Do Business with Metro - 202

LA Metro moves millions of people every day, and we want your small business to help us move the city forward. Come Grow With Us !

If you have ever felt overwhelmed by government contracting or assumed your business was too small to compete, this event was built specifically for you. You have basic knowledge of Metro’s programs now this session will focus on keys concepts in elevation to contracting opportunities and networking

How To Do Business with Metro 102 is designed to prepare certified small business keys to unlock contracting opportunities. This comprehensive, two-hour advanced agenda is built for certified small businesses. It bypasses introductory certification overviews to focus entirely on procurement mechanics, proposal strategy, and capturing live contract opportunities.

Participants will network with Prime Contractors who will be on hand to discuss best practices and access to their contracting opportunities.

9:45am – 10:00am Check-In & Participants/Prime Contractor/DEOD Staff Networking/Breakfast

• Sign-in and pick up advanced solicitation packets.
• Networking session focusing on teaming/subcontracting opportunities with mid-to-large-tier firms.

10:00am DEOD Overview and Introductions

10:10am SB Overview Updates

10:15am Certification Updates

10:20am

Guest Prime: Clark Construction SBE Consultant JAFCSolutions. Metros' Zero Emissions Charging Stations

10:45am Procurements & Solicitations Victor Zepeda,

Senior Contract Administrator, V/CM

• The Anatomy of a Metro RFP: Deconstructing a standard Request for Proposal (RFP) package to locate critical instructions, evaluation criteria, and compliance metrics.

• Strategic Proposal Preparation & Winning Tactics

• Technical vs. Price Proposals: How to structure compelling technical responses that align perfectly with Metro’s scored evaluation matrices.

• Common Pitfalls: Real-world examples of why certified firms get disqualified or lose points (e.g., non-responsive forms, incomplete cost data, or missing certification affidavits).

• Joint Ventures & Teaming: Maximizing SBE/DBE credit through compliant subcontracting agreements.

• Debrief Instructions: How to request a formal proposal debrief on past bids to improve your firm's future scoring

10:45am – 1055am Prequalification Audrey Rienartz, Manager

Metro’s Pre-Qualification Program

· Navigating the Pre-Qualification & RFP Processes

• Pre-Qualification Breakdown: Step-by-step requirements for Metro's mandatory Pre-Qualification Application, including financial validation, safety records, and execution history.

11:00am – 11:15am Live Pipeline Analysis: 12-Month Look-Ahead

Jacqueline Pruitt, Senior Manager Project Control,

Program Management Executive Office

• Forecasting Revenue: Deep dive into the current Metro 12-Month Contract Look-Ahead Schedule to track upcoming projects before they hit the market

11:15am – 11:30am Live Pipeline Analysis: Open Solicitations

SB Representative, (TBA)

• Review of Open Solicitations: Live walkthrough of the Metro Vendor Portal to evaluate live, open bids, RFP amendments, and question-and-answer deadlines.

11:30am – 11: 40am The "Identify Your Target" Live Sifting Exercise

Attendants will pull up the live document on their own laptops simultaneously.

• The Action: Give firms exactly 7 minutes to use search filters, NAICS codes, and keywords to find three upcoming projects dropping in the next 3 to 12 months that fit their specific core competencies.
• The Takeaway: This teaches them how to filter out the noise and independently navigate the forecasting matrix.

11:40am Final Q&A Panel

· DEOD SB Unit

· Solicitation Procurement

· Pre-Qual

· Certification

· CDAB/CFAP

12:00pm Dismissal

Networking/Dismissal