Page 26 - The Edge2023 - Spring

Purchasing from Minority Firms will Get Federal Attention

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“Four. Establishing delivery schedules, where of information, a lot of steps to go through. Before
the requirement permits, which encourage we went to OpenGov I didn’t now know any of this
participation by small and minority businesses, and did not know what our numbers were. Our old
and women's business enterprises. platform did not supply that information. My take
was as a school district, we put it out there and
“Five. Using the services and assistance, as we advertised where we post our bids. We ushered
appropriate, of such organizations as the Small vendors that contacted us to the website, so we’re
Business Administration and the Minority never eliminating anybody. However, we had never
Business Development Agency of the Department been proactive, but now being on OpenGov the
of Commerce. vendor is responsible for making it clear in their
vendor profile. So now I can get that information
“And six. Requiring the prime contractor, if from OpenGov.”
subcontracts are to be let, to take the affirmative steps
listed in paragraphs one through five of this section.” Williams pointed out two key words in the federal
Hamilton paused briefly, then said, “That’s a lot directive – “when possible.” “Even though this is
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26 THE EDGE SPRING 2023