INTERNAL OPERATIONS COMMITTEE
Meeting Date: October 14, 2024
Subject: Recommended Updates to the Small Business Enterprise and Outreach Programs
Submitted For: Warren Lai, Director
Department: Public Works
Referral No: IOC 24/11
Referral Name: Triennial Review of Countywide Purchasing Programs and Policies
Presenter: Carrie Ricci and Cindy Shehorn, Public Works Department
Contact: cindy.shehorn@pw.cccounty.us
Referral History:
County Ordinance Section 24-4.008 requires the County Administrator to develop a system of Administrative Bulletins, which are designed to provide guidance to County departments to ensure compliance with County policies and practices. In addition to administrative policies established by the County Administrator, many Board of Supervisors policies are also communicated to staff through County Administrative Bulletins.
The recommendations in this report attempt to reconcile the requirements of five distinct County purchasing programs: the Small Business Enterprise Program (2000), Outreach Program (1990s), E-Outreach (2006), the Local Bid Preference Program (2005), and Administrative Bulletin 600 - Purchasing Policies and Procedures (2023). The Internal Operations Committee has, for decades, maintained oversight of the Small Business Enterprise and Outreach Programs.
On June 27, 2023, the Board approved Administrative Bulletin No. 600, "Purchasing Policies and Procedures" (see Attachment 2) and directed the Purchasing Agent and Equal Employment Opportunity Officer to consolidate all Small Business Enterprise (SBE) and Outreach policies into a single Administrative Bulletin.
Referral Update:
On November 7, 2023, the Board of Supervisors approved an increase in the SBE Program threshold from $100,000 to $200,000 and directed County Counsel to draft an ordinance to raise the trigger for the Local Bid Preference Program from 5% to 7%. Ordinance No 2023-21 Local Bid Preference was introduced on December 5, 2023, and adopted on Decem...
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