Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises

Objectives

• To recognize the City's role as a major procurer and contractor for construction, supplies, and services who has a vested interest in the welfare of the business community.
• To provide greater information, service, and responsiveness to MWBE's, who by their circumstance and limited employee resource, may not be able to access information on services and commodities the City is seeking.
• To provide an internal mechanism in the form of Department and Division representatives to allow for increased communication between the City departments who regularly contract with and purchase from potential MWBE's.

Program Goals: The City of Raleigh has adopted a goal of 15% participation by minority and women-owned businesses in construction contracts over $100,000 and in general purchases or goods and services.

Purchasing Assistance: The City of Raleigh is proactive in encouraging purchases of goods and services from minority and women-owned businesses (MWBE's) as well as soliciting participation in City construction bids.

The City departments will coordinate purchases with the MWBE Buyer in order to provide opportunities for MWBE firms to compete on all City purchases and contracts.

Responsibilities of the City of Raleigh: The City of Raleigh will ensure equal opportunity to contract with minority and women-owned businesses and will ensure that its contractors take similar action with minority and women-owned businesses. Those actions shall include:

1. Preparation of Bid Packages: The operating Departments shall include in the contract specification, special instructions and procedures related to the City's Minority and Women Owned Business Program.
2. Advertising for Construction Bids: A period of at least thirty (30) days will be given between construction bids.
3. Minority and Women-Owned Business Workshops: Workshops will be conducted at least semiannually by the Business Assistance Program Office to acquaint minority and women-owned business firms with bidding procedures.
4. Communication Program for Procurement and Construction
   1. On-Going Communication Program: Semiannually, the City of Raleigh will make available a list of proposed major procurement and construction projects.
   2. Communication Relevant to Specific Construction: When the City of Raleigh receives from bidders a listing of items of work for which subcontractors and materials are being sought, the City shall notify minority and women-owned businesses.
5. Other Technical Assistance: The City of Raleigh shall periodically hold workshops, seminars, or training sessions designed to acquaint minority and women-owned businesses with the City of Raleigh's construction and procurement contracting procedures.

For assistance with purchases of goods and services please contact:

Purchasing Division
(919) 996-3240

or

Luther R. Williams
Business Assistance Program Manager
Administrative Services Department
222 West Hargett Street, Room 302
Raleigh, NC 27602
919-996-4278

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