Chicago Community Ventures Blog

Bridgestone Tires seeks M/W/DBE RFQ by May 3

CTA has a number of bid opportunities available. Below is information about an upcoming RFQ from Bridgestone Tires, for a CTA bid. Please read the full description and download the attachments for additional information*. For other available opportunities, please visit CTA's Website   

LOCATION: CTA, Chicago, IL

APPROXIMATE DATES:  5 Year Contract – Effective On/About October 1, 2010 – September 30, 2013 +1 option +1 option

Dear Vendor:

We are preparing to bid a tire lease and service contact with the subject transit authority.

Attached is a copy of the Specifications Download 0 - ORIG SPEC - 10OP00135– please pay particular attention to Technical and Insurance requirements.  If you are interested in quoting pricing to provide contract labor, please submit your most competitive straight time wage and hourly billing rate including: straight time wage rate, benefits, uniforms, insurance, FTA drug testing program compliance, annual background checks and any other related employee costing items).  Please review the attached specification for requirements Download 2010 DBE RFQ - CONTRACT LABOR and your responsibilities under this contract, including but not limited to: 

·         Insurance: General  liability, Auto liability and workers' compensation for specification amounts and provide Certificate of Insurance naming Bridgestone as additional insured (there are no exceptions)

·         Damages or penalties incurred as a result of your employee's negligence

·         Providing detailed invoices cross referencing name and hours worked per week

·         Provide work uniforms with employee name (Bridgestone PATCH WILL BE PROVIDED)

·          Provide qualified and trained employees

Your firm will be required to sign a formal Contract and will be required to confirm and/or return Federal Certifications concerning Lobbying, Debarment, etc.

 General Information: Employees are scheduled daily to a CTA garage locations based on a forty-hour work week in the greater Chicago area to perform tire air inflation checks, check alignment for steer tires, and provide written documentation of tasks performed.  To capture the fleet, the work hours will normally be grave-yard shift to capture buses when not in revenue service.

If you require further information, please contact:

Jan Bragg, Contract Administrator - Mileage Sales

Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC

Phone: 330-379-4578 Fax: 330-379-6637

 

*Attachments are fairly large and may require some time to download. Original specs may be downloaded directly from CTA's site, solicitation number B10OP00135 . DBE RFQ was provided by Bridgestone

Three Expert Panel: Marketing, Insurance, Financing

 

You won't want to miss this three-expert panel discussion presented by the Illinois Small Business Development Center.

• Taking Your Marketing Strategy from Print to the Internet, La'Shon Anthony
• • It's not enough to pass out business cards anymore.  Learn about new technology and topics such as online ads, discussion threads and link exchanges.
• Health Insurance for Entrepreneurs, Rebecca Bloomfield
• • How do you cover yourself and your family?  How can health expenses become tax advantages?  How can you offer health care benefits to reward employees as your business grows?  
• Available Alternative Financing for Small Businesses, Donna Rockin
• • Learn about loan options from both traditional and non-traditional sources.

Date: Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Time: 3:00 - 5:00pm

Location: Jewish Federation Building, 30 South Wells Street, Chicago

To register, call 312.673.3429 or email pamlipton@jvschicago.org

Smart + Simple: Strategies for small business

Join the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce for an exciting catch-all workshop designed to help you take your small business to the next level.

Network with fellow business owners in Chicago and learn about:

• Increasing productivity
• Boosting your bottom line
• Protecting your most sensitive company data
• Marketing tips
• Working better on-the-go
• Effective social media strategies
• Energy and green business savings

Entrepreneur and brand specialist Nicole Loftus of Zorch International will be the keynote speaker.

Date: Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Time: 12:00 - 6:00pm

Location: Hyatt Regency Chicago-Crystal Ballroom, 151 East Wacker Drive, Chicago

Cost: $35, includes lunch

To register, contact Dolores Simon at 312.494.6718 or dsimon@chicagolandchamber.org

CCV Client Consolidated Printing in the News!

Despite the use of soy ink and recycled paper, the printing industry isn't one of the healthiest. But at least one Chicago company is trying to change that. Traditional printing operations use a bevy of substances -- heavy metals, cadmium, lead and toxic chemicals -- that can negatively affect the health of employees.

Chicago's Consolidated Printing is different. The Northwest side company has won national awards for its quality and sustainability and is considered to be 100 natural. "We have low absenteeism here. Our guys are healthy. They know they are breathing good air," said Consolidated's president and owner, Marilyn Jones.

Jones bought the company in the 70s for $5,000, and one of her first clients was a vitamin manufacturer who taught her that what a person touches and what they breathe can affect their health. In 1974, the company began the long journey to become totally green. "I started using household products like Crisco and vinegar. Crisco is a lubricant; vinegar is a neutralizer," said.

Indeed, cans of shortening still sit on top of the printers, vinegar lines the shelves and used cooking oil replaced toxic parts cleaners. "We finally removed the last chemical about a year and a half ago," Jones said. "Our ink is all natural, the pigments are all natural." The company's Environmental Director says the green doesn't stop at the printing. "The carpet is recycled, we understand from coke bottles. The lighting, everything was retrofitted to be sustainable," said Walter Jones. Marilyn Jones says the all-natural thing is worth it.

"You can do green printing and still print quality pieces. I don’t want to hear about anyone getting sick from being in print shops," she said.

First Published: Apr 22, 2010 7:29 PM CDT

View Original Article Here

Get Noticed! How-to workshop on making your business more visible

Catalyst Ranch is hosting a "Breakthrough Lab" to help your business get noticed.  During this interactive, hands-on workshop, participants will identify next steps to sending out a clear message about their company.

Gather with this group of creative thinkers and communication experts Cheryl McPhilimy and Jackie Sloan to get direction to move your business forward.

It's time to shake things up and bring forth innovation!

Date: Thursday, April 29, 2010

Time: 6:00 - 8:30pm

Location: Catalyst Ranch, 656 West Randolph Street, Chicago

Cost: $25

Advanced registration is required.  Refreshments and light appetizers will be provided.