Programs and Services

Shift DBS provides a centralized platform tailored for suppliers, primes, and utilities, fostering valuable connections through networking, engagement, and introductions. Our platform hosts a variety of diverse events designed to facilitate informative interactions and create meaningful connections between suppliers and utilities.  
We offer a wide range of services, accessible both virtually and in person , including:

• Webinars
• Networking Events
• Symposiums
• Destination Happy Hours
• Annual IOU Supplier Summit

These programs are designed to facilitate productive engagements and meaningful exchanges within our community.

  At Shift DBS, we offer an extensive service that covers all aspects of event organization and execution, ensuring each event is tailored to meet the specific objectives of the host. This service includes initial concept development, where we work closely with clients to understand their vision and objectives for the event. We manage venue selection, ensuring that the location aligns with the event's theme and attendee expectations. Additionally, we handle vendor management, ensuring high-quality services that enhance the event experience. We also coordinate all logistics, such as attendee registration and scheduling, to ensure that the event runs smoothly from start to finish. This holistic approach allows clients to focus on their guests and content, while we ensure a professionally managed event. 

 At Shift DBS, we recognize the importance of connecting your event with the right sponsors. Leveraging our extensive network of suppliers and sponsors, we ensure that every partnership is mutually beneficial, enhancing the overall event experience for hosts and attendees alike. Our diverse range of sponsorship packages allows us to accommodate various levels of engagement and exposure, ensuring that sponsors can find the most effective way to participate. We focus on creating connections that enhance the event's value and align with its objectives and audience, helping to facilitate a successful and impactful gathering. 

 At Shift DBS, we are committed to creating valuable networking opportunities that foster connections among suppliers, primes, and subcontractors. Our networking events are designed to bring together key industry players, facilitating interactions that can lead to fruitful partnerships and collaborative projects. By focusing on bringing together diverse groups from across the supply chain, we enable attendees to exchange ideas, share industry insights, and explore potential collaborations in a structured yet informal setting. Our events are tailored to ensure that all participants, whether they are suppliers, primes, or subcontractors, have the opportunity to meet the right contacts, enhance their market visibility, and discover new business opportunities. This strategic networking aims to strengthen business ecosystems and drive collective success. 

 CAP is a popular Technical Assistance Training program structured to expand the supplier growth and support their development within the utilities.  

CAP will specifically focus on engaging new and diverse suppliers that have the potential to contribute effectively to utility related projects. 

This accelerated bootcamp offers suppliers a roadmap that includes specific tools, training, mentoring, utility processes and procedures that are required to effectively work with California utility companies.  

The primary goal of these pilot programs is to provide new and diverse suppliers with the opportunity to gain experience, access additional capital, and learn the intricacies of the utility sector. 

Shift DBS specializes in Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) audits, a comprehensive service aimed at optimizing interactions between primes, utilities, and key suppliers. Our audits conduct thorough analyses and dedicated meetings to understand supplier challenges and growth potentials, ensuring effective progress tracking for robust relationships.

 
Beyond evaluation, Shift DBS' team actively engages with primes and subcontractors, strengthening and enhancing supplier diversity programs. 

At Shift DBS, we deliver customized SRM audit services to meet our clients' evolving needs. These services are crafted to catalyze growth, inclusivity, and sustainable success within supplier networks, prioritizing meaningful relationships and mutual benefit among suppliers, primes, and corporates.

The Shift DBS report is a comprehensive annual compilation that includes an in-depth assessment of Investor-Owned Utilities (IOUs) supplier diversity, including spotlights on primes and subcontractors, as well as a dedicated section highlighting the Person of the Year through a cover story and article supplemented by a thorough Q&A session.

This report provides insightful advice outlining best practices as well as invaluable lessons learned throughout the year.  The report includes analyzes of IOUs supplier diversity spending across multiple dimensions, including overall spend, DBE categories, and subcontracting specifications.

 Additionally, the report highlights important projects done by IOUs, primes, and subcontractors, such as major underground ventures or game-changing advances in hydrogen fuel and AI technology.

Shift DBS' quarterly newsletter serves as a highly adaptable tool, offering a targeted and timely snapshot of industry developments and changes. Much like our comprehensive annual report, this newsletter is uniquely tailored to provide in-depth insights relevant to specific areas of interest or focus within the utilities. Focusing into emerging challenges, ongoing projects, and significant developments, such as the transformative impact of AI within the technology sector.

At Shift DBS, we understand that each client has distinct needs and priorities. That's why our newsletter is versatile, allowing for customization and tailoring to address specific concerns or areas of exploration for diverse industries. Whether it's analyzing market trends, spotlighting technological advancements, or highlighting regulatory shifts, our newsletter can be curated to provide relevant and insightful information tailored to any client's specific service or industry.

We love data! Shift DBS conducts a thorough and comprehensive process to strengthen supplier diversity within the network. This strategic approach involves a rigorous review of diverse subcontracting expenditures, a detailed data analysis to pinpoint potential gaps, and an in-depth assessment of prime suppliers' subcontracting objectives. 

This multifaceted process doesn't just stop at analysis; it's designed to effect substantive change. By identifying and addressing gaps in subcontracting expenditures, we actively foster a more inclusive and varied supplier network. We collaborate closely with prime suppliers, aligning their subcontracting goals with broader diversity initiatives, thereby cultivating an ecosystem where inclusivity thrives.

Our services offer guidance on RFPs and bid submissions, providing strategic recommendations to bolster your proposals. We analyze RFP requirements and tailor bid submissions to align with these specifications, enhancing your competitive edge. Our expertise extends to crafting comprehensive scopes of work, ensuring clarity, specificity, and alignment with project objectives. We guide clients on writing the best scope of work, outlining deliverables, timelines, and performance criteria to drive project success. Additionally, our proficiency in RFP cover letters enables us to prepare compelling introductions, effectively communicating your value proposition and demonstrating alignment with client needs. Through our services, clients gain a distinct advantage in the competitive landscape by presenting polished, targeted, and persuasive RFP submissions.

Shift DBS provides a comprehensive suite of services dedicated to enhancing supplier diversity and fostering meaningful relationships. 

Our offerings span Comprehensive Data Analysis to inform strategic decision-making and Supplier Diversity Goal Setting to align objectives with organizational values. We specialize in Supplier Relationship Management, nurturing robust connections within the supplier network.

Additionally, we support both Internal and External Communication strategies, ensuring a coherent and impactful approach. Our initiatives include Supplier Networking Opportunities and Technical Assistance Training, empowering suppliers for success. Unconscious Bias Training is integral to our approach, fostering inclusive practices within procurement processes.

We assist in crafting Capability Statements, enhancing supplier visibility and opportunities. Through our Ambassadors Program, we cultivate collaboration and support. Moreover, our services encompass the preparation of Supplier Diversity Annual Reports and initiatives to drive Diverse Subcontracting Spend Increase.

Customized Surveys enable tailored assessments, guiding improvement strategies. Employee Events and Engagements foster a culture of inclusivity and partnership. Lastly, our expertise extends to preparing for the Annual Supplier Diversity En Banc and offering General Rate Case Recommendations to drive equitable practices and outcomes.

Diversity and inclusion in the corporate world encapsulate a commitment to cultivating a workplace that values and respects individual differences. Diversity encompasses the range of identities, backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences that individuals bring to an organization, including factors such as race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, abilities, religion, and more.

Shift DBS offers a range of comprehensive services tailored to foster inclusivity and diversity within organizations. Our services encompass robust Data Analytics and Assessment, aiding in the identification of crucial areas for improvement. We specialize in Program Development, designing initiatives that align with diversity goals and organizational values. Additionally, our support extends to both Internal and External Communication strategies, ensuring cohesive messaging and outreach.

Our offerings include Mentoring Programs and Executive Champions, encouraging leadership involvement and guidance. We assist in crafting Equity Action Plans, empowering organizations to enact meaningful change. Employee Empowerment lies at the core of our services, promoting growth and development within diverse teams. Lastly, through Community Outreach Programs and Employee Events, we strengthen connections and extend the impact of diversity initiatives beyond the workplace.