We recently concluded our Central Oregon stops of the Oregon Small Business Summit, including a powerful event at the Latino Community Association in Bend.  The event was featured in the Latino Community Association's monthly newsletter, recognizing the impact of bringing state, federal and higher education resources directly to small business.

Latino Community Association Adelante Newsletter June 2025

This feature is a reminder of why these summits matter – because small businesses deserve access to opportunity, support and engagement.  We’re grateful to the Central Oregon Community for their warm welcome and strong participation.

Now we are heading to the final stretch of our statewide roadshow with upcoming summits in eastern and southern Oregon. We look forward to continuing this momentum, fostering relationships and uplifting voices of small business owners in every region we visit.

You're Invited!

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. Your expertise and insights can help drive meaningful change in Oregon’s procurement and economic equity strategies! 

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. For the list and dates, email Alexandria Straub at alexandria.straub@das.oregon.gov.

Hey Jenine,

As a small business owner, taxes intimidate me. I fear unintentionally missing something and getting in trouble. For years I have swapped services with a tax accountant to do my yearly taxes. Unfortunately, my accountant is retiring at the same time as I am hiring more staff. Any suggestions on what I should know?

-Benjamin Greenback

What Moves Us: Procurement Equity and the Work of Reimaging Access

June offers a layered reflection on identity, service, and transformation. From the anniversary of D-Day to the celebrations of PRIDE Month, this is a time to reaffirm that equity must be more than symbolic—it must be practiced and embedded in the systems we shape.

A fitting metaphor for this work can be found in What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher. In this surreal, genre-bending novel, a non-binary protagonist navigates the collapse of logic and legacy in a fictional pre–World War I country. Loosely inspired by Poe, the story asks what it takes to break from the familiar and create something radically more inclusive.

That same courage to reimagine systems is at the core of Oregon’s procurement equity efforts.

The Oregon Forward Program, administered by State Procurement Services, creates sustainable contracts with nonprofits that employ individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities. It is one of the state’s clearest examples of equity operationalized through public procurement.

Rena Montes, Price Agreement and Contract Manager for the program, plays a vital role in building the partnerships that make Oregon Forward successful. Her leadership exemplifies the alignment of policy and purpose—ensuring that state dollars support inclusive hiring, community-centered delivery, and systemic access.

At an event hosted by the Oregon Tri-State Chapter of the Paralyzed Veterans of America, both Rena and her father, SFC Jesus “Monty” Montes, were present. A veteran of multiple military conflicts, Monty embodies a lifetime of resilience and public service. Organizations like Tri-State PVA are critical partners in this work, advocating for disability rights and helping shape a landscape that reflects the differences and dignity of all Oregonians.

PRIDE Month reminds us that inclusion must be practiced, not performed. In procurement, this means reducing barriers, rethinking evaluation standards, and expanding who can participate in Oregon’s economy.

Each contract is a chance to build a more equitable system. The Office of Procurement Equity’s commitment continues—with intention, humility, and the belief that equity must move from vision into action.

'Ad Valorem Tariff'

This month, as part of our ongoing series on customs duties, we are focusing on a common but often misunderstood term: the Ad Valorem Tariff.

Black’s Law Dictionary defines the term as “an import duty assigned as a percentage of the value of the goods being imported” (BLD, 11th ed., 2019).

Per Cornell Law School, “Ad valorem translated directly from Latin, means ‘according to [the] value [of something]’" (Legal Information Institute, CLS, n.d.).

Ad valorem tariffs are one of the most widely used types of customs duties. Instead of being based on weight, volume, or quantity, these tariffs are calculated as a percentage of the total value of the imported goods. This means that the higher the declared value of the item, the more tax that will be assessed at the border.

For example, a 7% tariff on a $1,000 item would be $70, but a 7% tariff on a $1,500 item would be $105.

This kind of duty can significantly influence pricing strategies, bid evaluations, and total cost forecasting for both procurement staff and suppliers alike.

Understanding how ad valorem tariffs function enables all parties involved in imports to draft more resilient and cost-aware contracts.