Business Enterprise Program rules revision ready for review

The Small and Minority Business Resources Department has been working on updating the Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Program Rules, and it is ready to receive comment from the public on the proposed changes. According to a press release from the department, the changes “will allow SMBR staff to perform step 1 of the 9 step Good Faith Effort (GFE) requirements – notification of MBEs/WBEs of the opportunity to bid on the solicitation with the (prime) contractors that are intending to bid on the solicitation. The Prime is responsible (for) the remaining 8 steps. These steps are the existing steps listed in the MBE/WBE Ordinances. This proposed change is aimed at increasing the number of small and minority business participation in the Corridor Mobility projects.” Veronica Briseño, director of the department, said, “The City made a concerted effort to have a strong MBE/WBE Outreach component because of the importance we are placing on MBE/WBE participation in the Corridor Mobility Bond Program while striving toward the goal of implementing the program in an efficient and timely manner. The proposed rule change allowing this pilot program we believe will work towards these goals.” In addition, references to the “Department of Small and Minority Business Resources” have been changed to “Small and Minority Business Resources Department.” Find a copy of the rules at the department’s website here, and submit comments by July 16.