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March 2016
Join Us for the Small Business Opportunity Fair
Admin's Small Business Opportunity Fair is just one week away! Our Office of Equity in Procurement and the Minnesota Procurement Technical Assistance Center (MN PTAC) are leading the charge, but we're counting on all agency leaders to help represent state government and connect small business owners with state procurement opportunities. Join us and help spread the word!
March 7, 1 to 4 p.m.
Stassen Building, Skjegstad Room
600 North Robert Street
St. Paul, MN 55101
Helping small businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, and people with disabilities do business with the state reflects Governor Dayton's Executive Order on diversity and inclusion, strengthens Minnesota's small business sector, and helps the state obtain the best value when buying goods and services.
More detail is available on our website at mn.gov/admin/oep/opp-fair or via the event announcement.
Minnesota's Procurement Programs Among the Nation's Very Best
 Pictured above: Governor Mark Dayton, Minnesota Chief Procurement Officer Betsy Hayes, and Julia Burrows, Director of the Governing Institute, at a reception in Washington D.C. honoring the top ranked states for procurement.
Minnesota's purchasing and contracting programs are among the very best in the nation. That's according to a recent survey of the states completed by national policy publication Governing. The summary report, titled "Purchase Power: A Special Report on State Procurement" ranked Minnesota third overall and at or near the top across a variety of individual categories.
The survey was developed in collaboration with public procurement experts from across the nation and ranked states on 10 different criteria, including planning, contract administration, and use of technology. Governing specifically cited Minnesota's efforts to advance diversity and inclusion within state procurement, noting the efforts of Admin's Office of Equity in Procurement.
This recognition is a testament to Admin's enterprise leadership in procurement and the strong, capable network of procurement experts across state government. Your leadership is essential to ensure that state purchasing decisions are innovative, cost-effective, transparent, and reflect best value and diversity. Read more about Minnesota's top rankings in our news announcement and in Governing's full report.
No Emissions, No Problem: The State Fleet Is Going Electric
Admin took a big step this month in its efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of the state fleet. In partnership with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), we've acquired five Nissan Leaf Electric vehicles, taking advantage of an unprecedented $8,000 in fleet incentives to optimize state resources. These are the first fully-electric, on-road passenger vehicles used by Minnesota state government.
The vehicles produce zero emissions, requiring no gasoline or fuel. The
miles-per-gallon equivalent (MPGe) is 114 miles, according to the Environmental Protection
Agency.
DNR and MPCA will each use two vehicles. Want to try one out in your agency? Admin will use the fifth vehicle as a rental, giving agencies an opportunity to test the vehicle. We hope this rental option will eliminate reservations that agencies might have about choosing an electric vehicle to replace older vehicles at the end of their life cycles.
This milestone follows our recent news about electric vehicle charging stations and our national Sustainable Fleet certification -- further bolstering our commitment to helping agencies achieve sustainable operations. Contact our fleet director Holly Gustner at 651-201-2514 to discuss how we can help your agency build a more sustainable fleet today.
Recycling Upgrades on the Way
 In our December issue, we provided a sneak preview of recycling upgrades coming to the Capitol Complex in 2016.
The upgrades will start rolling out in April. Agencies will receive more information about the upgrades prior to launch, but here are some highlights:
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- New consolidated, color-coded collection stations: These conveniently-located stations will contain easy-to-recognize receptacles for paper recycling, plastic recycling, organics and compostable waste, and trash.
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Phase out of desk-side trash collection: Employees' desk-side trash cans will be replaced with a recycling container and a miniature trash bin. Employees will be responsible for emptying these at central collection stations.
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Training sessions and communications resources: Admin will work with agencies to help employees understand and take advantage of the recycling upgrades.
Admin worked with the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce's Waste Wise Foundation and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to develop evidence-based upgrades designed to substantially increase our recycling. Improved recycling rates position the state to reach legislative goals and work toward becoming a zero-waste workplace.
Stay tuned for more information, including exact launch timing for your agency.
Social Media Spotlight: Celebrating Black History Month
Each February, we celebrate Black History Month. To mark the occasion this year, Admin has been tweeting about some of the African-Americans who helped build our Minnesota State Capitol. From stone cutters to bricklayers to building attendants, these individuals all played a crucial role in our state's history. Today, that legacy continues through the ongoing Capitol Restoration -- minority workers have made up about 30 percent of the workforce hours on the project so far.
Look back on our Black History Month tweets from February by following us on Twitter @ADMN_Minnesota and searching for the hashtags #MNCapRestoration and #BlackHistory.
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