Hoping to diversify its suppliers, Fort Bend ISD started its Small Business Enterprise Program in January. The program is geared toward any company, including minority and women-owned businesses, and encourages existing district partners to subcontract bids to smaller firms. Robert Fazakerly, FBISD director of purchasing and materials management, said that with four new schools on the horizon—including Anne Sullivan Elementary School’s expected opening in August—the district wants to give more small businesses the opportunity to partner. “It’s been on the board [of trustees]’s radar for some time,” he said. On Jan. 19, Fazakerly will lead a kickoff meeting for the program at 1 p.m. at the district’s Purchasing and Facilities Management Offices at 555 Julie Rivers Drive, Sugar Land. Speakers will include industry professionals, certification specialists and representatives of the National Association of Minority Contractors of Greater Houston and the Houston Minority Supplier Development Council. Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce President Keri Schmidt said the program would benefit her organization’s membership. “Over 70 percent of our members are small to medium-sized and they may not all know the ins and outs of working with a large school district,” she said. “The Fort Bend Chamber plans to support this initiative by promoting the participation of our membership.” The meeting aims to help businesses position themselves to potentially be subcontracted by a prime contractor on a district project valued at $50,000 or more. To participate, businesses must be certified either by the city of Houston, the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County or the Port of Houston Authority, Fazakerly said. “I want the subcontractors to even be able to go out and be the instigators of communications with the prime contractors,” he said. The program is focusing on construction and renovation projects stemming from the district’s $484 million 2014 bond program. Fazakerly said partnerships for other types of projects could evolve in the future. FBISD is encouraging prime contractors to find small business subcontractors for up to 25 percent of the bid. The higher the percentage, the better the score their bid will receive in the district’s selection process. For more information, visit www.fortbendisd.com or call 281-634-1841.