Contact: Ellen Bank
843.792.2626
Jan. 12, 2004
CHARLESTON, SC -- A $545,000 contract between MUSC and DESA, a minority and
woman-owned conference management firm based in Columbia, brings MUSC to its
12% goal for spending with minority vendors for FY 03- 04 half way into the
fiscal year.
During the past several years the university has committed itself to meet specified
goals for directing controllable dollars towards minority vendors. In FY01 25%
of the goal was reached; in FY02, 203% and in ’03, 180%.
The contract with DESA not only helps the university to surpass its ‘04
goal, but the contract was very likely a factor in the university’s successful
bid for a $3.2 million federal contract.
Two years ago, the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute named MUSC as one
of the nation’s 10 proteomics centers. Along with this designation came
$15.2 million in federal funds. Following the awarding of this contract, the
university set its sights on becoming the coordinating center for the 10 national
proteomics centers. To this end, Peggy Schachte, director of the Office of Research
Development, put together a competitive proposal for the contract entitled “National
Heart Lung and Blood Institute Proteomics Initiative Administrative Center.”
This would bring in an additional $3.2 million, and Schachte would serve as
principal investigator on the project.
As the national coordinating center, MUSC would be responsible for all non-scientific
aspects of the national proteomics program, which includes setting up semiannual
investigators’ meetings through 2009 as well as progress review panel
meetings during the life of the contract.
Schachte said that MUSC was well equipped to handle the majority of the responsibilities
involved. “Our one weak point though, was our ability to plan and manage
a myriad of logistical details involved with arrangements for these national
meetings in Washington, D.C.,” she said. “We didn’t have the
experience or staff to handle large group meetings in a remote location.”
She quickly saw a solution to the problem in DESA. Recently she met Diane Sumpter,
president of DESA, a company with extensive experience in handling large group
meetings. She said she was very impressed with Sumpter and the firm’s
excellent reputation in the field. In writing the contract proposal to NIH,
Schachte included DESA participation.
Schachte felt that DESA brought to the project talents and skills that the Medical
University lacked, and its participation was a factor in the university's success
in winning the contract. She said that after evaluating technical and cost elements,
the federal government gives additional consideration to inclusion of small,
disadvantaged and minority-owned businesses in making its final selection.
“We are very pleased with this contract,” said David Rivers, director
of small business utilization and community outreach. “In 2002 we formed
an MUSC Small and Minority-Owned Business Enterprise Advisory Group to advise
the university on methods and tactics that may be used for increasing participation
by small and minority business enterprises in the procurement activities of
the university. One of their recommendations was collaborating with small and
minority-owned business enterprises when competing for grants and contracts.
Ms. Schachte has done this with tremendous success.”
The Medical University is also taking a leadership role in an event to be held
in the spring to promote an increase in minority/small business contracts with
local agencies. Procurement officers representing, federal, state, county and
local governments and other agencies will be on hand at a “one-stop shopping”
fair to facilitate the minority/small businesses’ becoming vendors for
their agencies.
#####