2020-113C - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

(33) CONTRACTING WITH SMALL AND MINORITY BUSINESSES WOMEN'S BUSINESS ENTERPRISES, AND LABOR SURPLUS AREA FIRMS (a) If the Sub -Recipient, with the funds authorized by this Agreement, seeks to procure goods or services, then, in accordance with 2 C.F.R. §200.321, the Sub -Recipient shall take the following affirmative steps to assure that minority businesses, women's business enterprises, and labor surplus area firms are used whenever possible: Placing qualified small and minority businesses and women's business enterprises on solicitation lists; ii. Assuring that small and minority businesses, and women's business enterprises are solicited whenever they are potential sources; iii. Dividing total requirements, when economically feasible, into smaller tasks or quantities to permit maximum participation by small and minority businesses, and women's business enterprises; iv. Establishing delivery schedules, where the requirement permits, which encourage participation by small and minority businesses, and women's business enterprises; V. Using the services and assistance, as appropriate, of such organizations as the Small Business Administration and the Minority Business Development Agency of the Department of Commerce; and vi. Requiring the prime contractor, if subcontracts are to be let, to take the affirmative steps listed in paragraphs (i). through v. of this subparagraph. (b) The requirement outlined in subparagraph a. above, sometimes referred to as "socioeconomic contracting," does not impose an obligation to set aside either the solicitation or award of a contract to these types of firms. Rather, the requirement only imposes an obligation to carry out and document the six affirmative steps identified above. (c) The "socioeconomic contracting" requirement outlines the affirmative steps that the Sub - Recipient must take; the requirements do not preclude the Sub -Recipient from undertaking additional steps to involve small and minority businesses and women's business enterprises. (d) The requirement to divide total requirements, when economically feasible, into smaller tasks or quantities to permit maximum participation by small and minority businesses, and women's business enterprises, does not authorize the Sub -Recipient to break a single project down into smaller components in order to circumvent the micro -purchase or small purchase thresholds so as to utilize streamlined acquisition procedures (e.g. "project splitting"). 24