INTRODUCTION

Welcome to RIVE, your online tool for contract readiness and marketing tools to compete in contracting.
RIVE originated from over ten years of programming assisting small businesses in contracting.
Minority and women business enterprise (MWBE) programs were originally created when major corporations began looking for ways to find qualified MWBE suppliers on government contracts.


HISTORY


  • 1968 –Small Business Administration introduced the 8a certification to include minority companies in procurement opportunities.
  • 1979 - Legislation was introduced to include the participation of woman-owned firms
  • 1999 - Legislation was introduced to include the participation of disabled vet owned firms.
  • 2004 – The Isabela Project white paper published with The Milken Institute to address issues of access to contracting for the emerging market with program execution related to the white paper
  • 2010 – Small Business Administration introduced woman-owned firm certification
  • 2010 – The Procurement Marketing Plan published to assist companies with certification and marketing tools and skills to compete in contracting
  • 2011 – Pilot program executed with local government and corporate bank partners using the Procurement Marketing Plan
  • 2013 – Based on results, the Procurement Marketing Plan process converted to online social community, RIVE

An early white paper can be found on The Milken Institutes website, titled, “The Isabela Project.” This white paper was written to research the issues of access to contracting opportunities for the emerging market.

The process used by RIVE was originally designed with guidance of several corporate buyers and tested by small businesses new to the contracting arena and corporate and government buyers.

RIVE is built to be used by small businesses interested in contracting with the government and/or corporate sector, as well as business organizations looking to promote their member companies and contracting entities seeking new prospective vendors.

According to top consultants, 9 out of 10 companies will fail in contracting. They believe companies should focus on differentiating vs. discounting. We will talk more about this later in the webinar.

Think of contracting like choosing a significant other. Would you make a long-term commitment to someone on a blind date after 5 minutes? You could but what would that relationship be like? There might be 12 cats in your immediate future after a snap decision like that. Contracting is more like courting before marriage. You must know your truths if you want to find that significant other.

RIVE provides an environment and tools to do a better job of courting and successfully pursue your significant other or others if you want to diversify your revenues.