Mastering Insurance in Public Procurement: A Training Series Recap
In response to the complexities of the insurance landscape, the CollegeBuys Professional Development Workgroup launched a comprehensive webinar series tailored for California Community College procurement professionals. This five-part series, curated to equip professionals with the necessary tools to navigate insurance requirements and ensure the successful execution of projects while limiting their college’s exposure, has been a pivotal resource for those in the procurement field.
From August through October, the series featured the expertise of Angelic Davis, Director of Purchasing, Printing, and Mail Services at Mt. San Antonio Community College District, in collaboration with industry professionals from Keenan, delving deep into various insurance topics critical for procurement professionals.
The inaugural webinar, led by Angelic and Nicole Fayaz, Director of Account Management at Keenan, shed light on the significance of insurance within California community colleges and its role in public procurement. Emphasizing the importance of clear contract language, risk assessment, and the nuances of insurance policy details, they stressed the importance of obtaining actual endorsements for insurance coverage. The session also detailed verifying vendor insurance ratings, employing vendor checklists, and the necessity of adjusting insurance limits to suit the risk associated with different activities.
Subsequent webinars deepened the discussion on insurance specifics. The second webinar, presented by Angelic and Susan Langston, Director of Account Management at Keenan, focused on specialized insurance options for public contracts, particularly within the context of community colleges. Discussions encompassed the evaluation of contract risks and the importance of auto and professional liability insurance. April Marin, Executive Director of Contracts, Procurement, and Risk Management at Santa Clarita Community College District spoke to the rising need for cyber liability insurance to safeguard against data breaches and how her district works to mitigate risk.
Moving forward, the series advanced to explore more intricate insurance topics in procurement. The compelling discussions led by Susan and Angelic in the third webinar tackled advanced insurance concepts such as admitted carriers, waivers of subrogation, and recommended coverage limits. These sessions offered practical insight into understanding indemnification language in contracts, self-insurance principles, and the impact of waivers of subrogation during contract negotiations.
In a dedicated session focusing on construction-related coverages, Angelic, Susan, and Tom Myers, Assistant Vice President of Construction Services at Keenan, provided participants with a detailed examination of critical insurance aspects crucial for successful project completion. Topics such as payment and performance bonds, OCIP policies, and pollution liability were dissected, offering attendees valuable insights into mitigating risks associated with construction projects.
The final webinar offered an open forum for attendees to ask questions and expand more on topics of interest. The importance of insurance in safeguarding institutions and vendors was underscored. Discussions also touched on risk assessments for projects, the significance of clear contract language, and the necessity of including coverage for sensitive issues like sexual abuse and molestation in contracts involving minors on campus.
As we reflect on this invaluable webinar series, we extend our gratitude to the Professional Development Workgroup for their dedication in curating these sessions, Angelic Davis for her leadership in seeing this project come to light, and the Keenan staff for generously sharing their expertise. This initiative has undoubtedly paved the way for enhanced knowledge and preparedness among California Community College procurement professionals, empowering them to navigate the intricate realm of insurance requirements with confidence and proficiency.
If you missed the live sessions you can still access the webinar recordings here:
- Demystifying Insurance in Public Procurement Part 1: Introduction to Insurance Requirements
- Demystifying Insurance in Public Procurement Part 2: Special Insurance Needs in Public Contracts
- Demystifying Insurance in Public Procurement Part 3: Mastering Advanced Insurance Concepts
- Demystifying Insurance in Public Procurement Part 4: Construction Contracts Demystified (recording unavailable – slide deck attached)
- Demystifying Insurance in Public Procurement Part 5: Your Questions Answered
