The following was an actual question submitted to the Ask Jenine Form. Names have been changed for anonymity.

Save the Dates!

Hello Jenine,

 My teammate and I attended the Governor’s Market Place last fall and had such a great experience! Do you have other events we could attend?

-Calendar

Dear Calendar,

There will be more regional Governor’s Marketplace events held in 2025, but those dates have not yet been finalized. The headline here is that there are calendar and event pages that list other business events and education opportunities.

For business owners and managers, time is money; every day and every event counts. Since time flies, I recommend that you watchdog the following sites and add dates of relevant events to your palm pilot, PDA, date book or digital calendar.

Department of Administrative Services : Procurement Equity Outreach : State Procurement Services : State of Oregon

Office of Small Business Assistance : Learning Opportunities : State of Oregon

Oregon Business Xpress : Training & Events : State of Oregon

 Event Calendar — Oregon BRC

These are just a few of the resources out there. Besides the state of Oregon, there are many businesses, chambers and non-profits that provide training and events that can benefit your business.

Stay current!

Jenine

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Your expertise and insights can help drive meaningful change in Oregon’s procurement and economic equity strategies! We invite you to participate in the committees and workgroups addressing each of the 29 recommendations from the 2023 State of Oregon Disparity Study over the next 13 months.

We are seeking individuals who have experience in procurement, policy, business equity or economic development, who represent diverse perspectives and industries, and who are passionate about advancing equitable business opportunities in Oregon.

Available Opportunities:

• Advisory Committee: Quarterly Meetings
• Steering Committee: Monthly Meetings

Sign up for the Advisory Committee or Steering Committee.

Subgroups on specific recommendations: 90 day commitments (email Alexandria.straub@das.oregon.gov for the list and dates).

The next Oregon Small Business Summits are coming to Redmond on Wednesday, May 21 and Bend on Thursday May 22.

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to expand, these summits are the perfect chance to connect with fellow entrepreneurs and discover technical support for small business programs. Additionally, four Oregon Construction Contractor’s Board (CCB) continuing education credits will be offered to those attending the event. Registration is free, but space is limited. 

What you can expect:

• What to know when starting a business, workforce development and exploring state and federal contracts
• Collaboration with local, state and federal partners
• Information on technical assistance, small business programs and state contracting opportunities
• Cost: Free (registration required)
• Includes: Refreshments, presentations, lunch and workshops

Event Details:

Redmond

• Date: Wednesday, May 21, 2025
• Time: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Location: Central Oregon Community College; 2030 SE College Loop, Redmond, OR 97756

Bend

• Date: Thursday, May 22, 2025
• Time: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Location: The Latino Community Association; 2680 NE Twin Knolls Dr Suite 110 Bend, OR 97470

Celebrating Neurodiversity and the Power of Visual Thinking

This month, as we honor National Autism Awareness Month, we take a moment to spotlight a profound work that speaks to the heart of inclusion and difference: Visual Thinking: The Hidden Gifts of People Who Think in Pictures, Patterns, and Abstractions by Dr. Temple Grandin.

Dr. Grandin’s work is not just a book—it’s a mirror for many of us in the Office of Procurement Equity. As a member on my team beautifully put it, “we’re a team full of 'neuro-spicyness.'” That means we don’t always think in a straight line. We see the world in patterns, in textures, in visuals and sometimes in ways that might seem disjointed to those who process in linear steps.

Dr. Grandin challenges the notion of the “normie” thinker—the person who expects a beginning, middle and end in a neat sequence. But not all great minds work that way. In fact, some of the most brilliant problem-solvers, innovators and change-makers don’t. And this difference in thinking is often misunderstood or overlooked—especially in systems not built for us.

The truth is: inclusion isn’t just about who’s in the room. It’s about understanding how people show up, how they communicate and how they solve problems in ways that don’t always fit a mold. That understanding is one of the most important—and most difficult—parts of inclusion.

When we acknowledge how our brains process the world differently, we open ourselves to deeper empathy. We create space for creativity. We allow new solutions to emerge—ones that could only come from minds who think around corners, not just in straight lines.

At OPE, we believe that our state’s procurement process should reflect the brilliance of all its communities. That means creating systems that welcome visual thinkers, abstract thinkers and everyone in between. We need complex ideas to solve complex problems. And we need diverse minds—neuro-spicy and otherwise—to help build a more inclusive, more just, more equitable state.

This month, I invite you to explore Visual Thinking. Reflect on what it means to truly see the value in different kinds of minds. Let’s be willing to have uncomfortable conversations. Let’s stretch our empathy muscles. Let’s lead where we cannot serve, and serve where we are called.

We’re here with you, always.

—The Office of Procurement Equity

We serve. We lead. We serve all. We lead where we cannot serve.

Change Order and Price Adjustment Clause

The contracting landscape is dynamic. It is constantly shaped by real-world influences and factors. Costs can fluctuate based on a variety of things like fuel costs, supply chain disruptions, tax law changes and tariffs on certain goods or raw materials. When this happens, there is the potential for shifting prices. How might this affect existing state contracts and what tools are available to mitigate this risk? A common tool used in such a scenario is a change order, a formal amendment to a contract that allows you to modify the scope, price, or timeline after the contract has been executed. Change orders are reactive but necessary when unforeseen conditions arise.

To proactively address potential cost increases, contracts can include a price adjustment clause. These clauses anticipate pricing changes over the life of a contract and allow for price adjustments based on certain anticipated and defined triggers such as rising material costs, fuel surcharges or changes in international trade conditions. Escalation clauses can help manage risk and maintain equity between parties, offering a structured alternative to renegotiation or repeated change orders. 

Whether you’re the buyer or the seller, and whether you’re at the start of a contract or responding to unexpected changes midstream, open and timely communication is key. It ensures that the contract remains fair, transparent and functional for everyone involved.