HCWA Hosts Fall Supplier Conference for Prospective Vendors

HCWA Hosts Fall Supplier Conference for Prospective Vendors Event Targets Local Businesses Who Want To Do Business With The Authority

(McDonough, GA – Dec. 6, 2024) The HCWA hosted its Fall Supplier Conference on
Oct. 24, welcoming potential vendors who want to do business with the utility. Those attendees
received valuable information from Authority staff and invited speakers.

 Rodney Stroud, HCWA Procurement Compliance Specialist, emceed the event, with
welcoming remarks coming from HCWA General Manager Tony Carnell, who emphasized that
the Authority has a welcoming culture and need for the expertise local companies can provide
on projects.
 
 The supplier conference program agenda began with helpful information from Terri
Denison of the U.S. Small Business Administration and Joseph B. Henning, President of the
Henry County Chamber of Commerce.
 
 In addition, Scott Sage, HCWA Division Manager of Engineering, provided attendees
with an overview of upcoming capital projects that will feature open bids for work. Sage and Jeff
Allen, HCWA Purchasing and Inventory Manager, also highlighted the Authority’s Annual Labor
Contract, which is another avenue for potential work for those in attendance.

 The HCWA utilizes BidNet Direct for its public bidding process. In addition, the Authority
Board of Directors has implemented several policies within the last few years to encourage
participation in open bids by female-owned, minority-owned, and veteran-owned local
businesses. In addition, the Local Sheltered Market Program (LSMP) is a preference program
for the benefit of all local small businesses.

 “We try to organize topics for each of our supplier conferences around the feedback we
receive from attendees,” says Rodney Stroud, HCWA Procurement Compliance Specialist.


  HCWA Hosts Fall Supplier Conference for Prospective Vendors

 “So, this fall conference focused on small businesses by providing them with
professional resources here in the community, which they may find valuable when seeking to do
business with us. But what our guest speakers offered will be helpful to any local individual or
business, whether they are bidding on Authority projects or just trying to grow their business in
general,” says Stroud.

 For more information on how to do business with the HCWA and its procurement
process, potential vendors can visit the Authority’s website at https: //www.hcwa.com/about-
us/procurement.cms.


Terri Denison, District Director of the U.S. Small Business Administration in Atlanta, speaks to
those attending the recent HCWA Fall Supplier Conference.


Joseph B. Henning, President of the Henry County Chamber of Commerce, educates attendees
of the HCWA Fall Supplier Conference on the small business services provided by the
Chamber.


Jeff Allen (center right), HCWA Purchasing and Inventory Manager, and Scott Sage (center left),
HCWA Division Manager of Engineering, answer questions from guests attending the
Authority’s Fall Supplier Conference.


Guests and HCWA staff enjoy an opportunity for networking following the recent 2024 Fall
Supplier Conference held for those wanting to do business with the Authority.