Scheduled Marketplace Outage for System Upgrade

Marketplace will be temporarily unavailable from Friday, March 14, 2025, at 8:00 PM through Sunday, March 16, 2025, at 11:00 AM to facilitate the transition to the 25.1 release. While this update primarily includes enhancements to modules not currently in use, users who utilize custom dashboards may notice the availability of the Action Items, Contract Summary, and My Bookmarks widgets. If you experience any issues following the implementation of this release, please submit a support ticket for assistance. Thank you for your patience and cooperation during this upgrade.

Office of General Counsel Contract Training

The Office of General Counsel hosted a contract series in January and February, 2025. If you missed and of the sessions, the series is now available on Minnesota State Connect (accessible to internal staff only). These sessions cover a range of important topics, from sourcing and contracts to risk and tax, providing valuable insights into the procurement process.

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Have you heard? March is National Procurement Month! The Procurement Month Recognition Team announced last week that Minnesota State is excited to celebrate procurement professionals throughout the month. This is a time to recognize and appreciate the dedication, expertise, and hard work of procurement professionals.

Thank you for your hard work, dedication, expertise, and commitment in procuring millions of dollars in goods and services every year. But procurement is not just about purchasing goods and services—it is also about creating value, ensuring efficiency, and building strong supplier relationships that drive success.

The work you all do is an essential function of government. It requires specific knowledge and skills, and because of your contributions, operations run smoothly every day. In our fast-paced and ever-evolving world, you find solutions to operational challenges. You right all the wrongs. You drive sustainable practices. You collaborate with neighboring institutions to mentor and foster a culture of excellence.

We want to express our deepest gratitude to each of you. Your commitment to excellence, problem-solving skills, and strategic thinking make a significant impact every day. You are the backbone of operations, working behind the scenes to ensure everything runs smoothly.

Throughout the month, the team will share weekly activities, events, and information, and we look forward to your participation. Do you know a great procurement professional? Nominate them today for one of four award categories.

Thank you for your dedication, perseverance, and teamwork. Your efforts do not go unnoticed, and we are truly proud to work alongside such talented professionals. Don’t forget to thank a colleague.

Happy National Procurement Month!

Benefits of Migration

Cost Efficiency: One of the primary drivers behind this transition is the significant cost savings. By leveraging our existing Adobe contracts, we can reduce the overall expenditure on electronic signature solutions. Adobe Sign offers competitive pricing, which aligns with our budgetary goals and allows us to allocate resources more effectively.

Consistency with Adobe Contracts: Integrating Adobe Sign with our current Adobe suite ensures a seamless experience for our users. This consistency not only simplifies the procurement process but also enhances the overall user experience by providing a unified platform for various digital tasks. The integration with Adobe's ecosystem allows for better compatibility and smoother workflows.

Impact on End Users

Using Adobe Sign in JAGGAER Contracts: For users accustomed to signing contracts through DocuSign, the transition to Adobe Sign within JAGGAER Contracts will bring several enhancements. Adobe Sign's intuitive interface and robust features will

make the signing process more efficient and user-friendly. Users will benefit from improved document tracking, easier access to signed documents, and enhanced security features.

Adapting to the New System: While the transition may require a brief adjustment period, we are committed to providing comprehensive training and support to ensure a smooth changeover. Our team will offer resources, including tutorials and helpdesk support, to assist users in navigating Adobe Sign's features. The goal is to minimize any disruption and ensure that all users are comfortable and proficient with the new system.

The move to Adobe Sign represents a significant step forward in our efforts to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and provide a consistent and seamless digital experience for all Minnesota State users. We are confident that this transition will bring numerous benefits and look forward to the positive impact it will have on our operations.

For any questions or support during this transition, please do not hesitate to reach out to our helpdesk team.

Campus Information

Registering with the Minnesota Secretary of State is essential for several reasons:

• Legal Compliance: It ensures that businesses are recognized as a legitimate entity within the state, complying with all necessary legal requirements.
• Streamlined Processes: Registration simplifies the procurement process, making it easier for state agencies to verify business credentials and expedite contract approvals.
• Enhanced Credibility: Being a registered supplier enhances business credibility and trustworthiness, making businesses more attractive to potential clients and partners.

Verification of Registration for Procurement and Contract Staff

For procurement and contract staff, verifying a supplier's registration status is a critical step in the procurement process. Here's how it works:

• Access the Supplier Portal: Procurement staff can log into the Supplier Portal to verify a supplier's registration status. The supplier portal provides a comprehensive database of all registered vendors.
• Check Compliance Documents: Ensure that all required compliance documents are submitted and up to date. This includes verifying Equal Pay, Workforce, and Veteran Status certificates.
• Confirm Registration Status: Verify that the supplier's registration is active and in good standing. This step ensures that the supplier is legally authorized to do business with the state.

Supplier Information

The registration process is straightforward and involves the following steps:

1. Gather Required Information: Before a supplier begins, they need to ensure they have all necessary information, including Minnesota State Tax Identification Number. Businesses can look up or register for this number if they do not already have one.
2. Access the Supplier Portal: Visit the Minnesota State Supplier Portal to start the registration process. This portal is the business gateway to becoming a registered vendor and accessing state procurement opportunities.
3. Complete the Registration Form: Fill out the registration form with accurate and up-to-date information about the business. This includes details such as the business name, address, and contact information.
4. Submit Compliance Documents: Ensure to have all required compliance documents, such as Equal Pay, Workforce, and Veteran Status certificates. These documents demonstrate a business’s commitment to fair and equitable business practices.
5. Pay the Registration Fee: There is a nominal fee associated with registering a business. This fee varies depending on the type and size of the business, but it is generally affordable and a worthwhile investment for accessing state contracts.

Cost to Suppliers

The cost of registering with the Minnesota Secretary of State is minimal compared to the benefits it offers. The exact fee depends on the business type and size, but it typically ranges from $50 to $150. This one-time fee grants a business access to a wide range of procurement opportunities and ensures the business is in good standing with the state.

Economically Disadvantaged Small Businesses

The Economically Disadvantaged Small Business Procurement Program in Minnesota supports small businesses located in counties where the local economy struggles to meet the state’s average and places where jobs are not in abundance. To be certified as an Economically Disadvantaged small business, the company must be located in, or the owner must reside in, an Economically Disadvantaged Area in Minnesota where the median income is below 70% of the state’s average. These areas include also Labor Surplus areas designated by the federal government and low-income counties in Minnesota. Certification by the Department of Administration is required for participation in the program.

Small businesses in the following counties may be eligible for economically disadvantaged status either through the Labor Surplus Area (LSA) designation or the 70% of statewide median income designation: Aitkin, Todd, and Wadena counties each have a statewide median income designation of <70%. Clearwater County has a Labor Surplus Area designation. Counties may qualify under both designations.

Once certified, Economically Disadvantaged small businesses may be eligible for up to a 12% preference when bidding on sourcing events and construction projects. Participating in this program opens up a wealth of opportunities for small businesses from struggling counties in Minnesota. This has the potential to boost their chances of being awarded bids while enhancing the business's visibility and credibility.

If you have questions about this program, please contact Mo Yusuf

Supplier Spotlight

Valdes Lawn Care & Snow Removal, LLC is a Hispanic-owned small business specializing in landscape design, snow removal, irrigation, and lawn care. In May of 2005, Joe Valdes, the founder, quit his job as a restaurant manager and started the business in hopes of better opportunities. Valdes Lawn Care started with only three employees. Today, there are 50 full-time employees and approximately 25 seasonal workers, and each year, the demand for Valdes Lawn Care’s services increases.

During the winter, Valdes Lawn Care & Snow Removal shifts its focus to snow and ice management. Using multiple meteorological sources, they track storms long before they arrive to ensure efficiency. They are well-equipped with the right vehicles and hardware to handle large jobs and continue to monitor each site for improvements and additional services.

Valdes Lawn Care and Snow Removal, LLC is located in Lake Elmo, MN
SWIFT- 0000850599

Disclaimer: Departments and employees are encouraged to review all available options and follow established procurement guidelines when considering vendor solutions.

Enhance Your Marketplace Contract Search

Tun on the New Search Feature

At the bottom right of contract searches, there is an option to switch between the classic contract search, and the new search.

You can see in the quick filters that there are two Institution filters available. The preferred institution to select is the one without an RCID next to the college’s name. This is important because the institution without an RCID is tied to the college or university the contract was created for, whereas the one including the RCID is only tied to the contract manager’s profile, which may not always align with the contract’s primary institution. As such, there are more contracts when filtering with the correct institution.

Once you have the correct filters assigned, you can set it and forget it using this “Pin Filters” option that will keep those filters saved every time you go back into the contract search. Keep in mind, the pinned filters will only keep the values once you press the “Pin Filters” button. This means that if you change the values of the filters, then refresh the page, it will undo any changes you made to the filters and load what you previously pinned.

By utilizing features like quick filters, institution selection, and the "Pin Filters" option, you can streamline your workflow and ensure that your searches are both accurate and consistent.