bws #281 10/08

FREEHOLDER VICARI SPONSORS WORKSHOP ON DOING BUSINESS WITH THE COUNTY

TOMS RIVER --“We know local business people are feeling the pain from the downturn in the economy,” said Freeholder Director Joseph H. Vicari. “Something we can do to help is to ensure that every resident that can do business with the county is in a position to do so.”

Vicari said, “ To help make that happen, we will sponsor a workshop, ‘Doing Business with Ocean County,’ for local businesses Nov. 6, starting with coffee at 6 pm and a panel presentation at 6:30 pm in Room 119 in the Ocean County Administration Building at 101 Hooper Ave.”

Ralph Patterson, Director of Management and Budget, is coordinating the session.

Topics to be addressed by his staff members include:

“How to Register on the Ocean County Bid Portal,” presented by Margaret Bruno, Assistant Purchasing Agent,

“Navigating the Bid Portal” and the “Ocean County Cooperative Contract System,” presented by Jennifer Bowens, Buyer, and

“Responding to Bid Requests,” presented by Michelle Gunther, Specifications Writer.

In addition, the panel will review the county’s payment process and schedule, which will help businesses receive reimbursement for services in the timeliest manner.

Those businesses already on the county’s bid portal need not attend, but are welcome to do so. There will be a question and answer period.

“We must adhere to public bidding laws and pay-to-play legislation, but within those constraints, we want to make every effort to work with Ocean County businesses,” Vicari said.

This seminar comes on the heels of the “Doing Business with the Military,” workshop which drew a standing-room only attendance of 300 business people.

Vicari has long promoted a “Do Business in Ocean County” effort saying, “These are the businesses that pay taxes and support our communities and their organizations. Providing all the assistance we can to help them do business with us is the right thing to do.”

To register for the free session, call the Ocean County Management and Budget Department at 732-929-2099.

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