Descriptor Term:

PARTICIPATION BY WOMEN AND MINORITY OWNED BUSINESSES

Descriptor Code:

DK

Presented to Board:

First Reading:

December 5, 2006

Second Reading:

March 29, 2007

Adopted by Board:

March 29, 2007

Revised by Board:

The Guilford County Board of Education is committed to providing equal opportunities for participation in all aspects of the Guilford County Schools’ contracting and purchasing programs including, but not limited to, participating in procurement contracts for materials, services, construction and repair work activities, and lease agreements in the Guilford County Schools.  The Board prohibits discrimination against any person or business in the pursuit of these opportunities on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, handicap or national origin and will make every effort to conduct its contracting and purchasing program so as to prevent any discrimination.  The Board actively seeks to identify qualified minority, handicapped and women-own business enterprises so as to widen, [increase] opportunities for participation as providers of goods and services, increase competition and ensure the proper and diligent use of public funds.

The Guilford County Board of Education expects all contractors who supply, or seek to supply, goods and services to make good faith efforts to provide opportunities to companies owned by those who historically have not been represented in the awarding of public contracts; and expects the administration to promote full and equal opportunity for all persons doing business with the Guilford County Schools.

In accordance with N.C.G.S.  143-128.2, the board adopts a verifiable goal of 12.46% for participation by Minority, Women, and Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Owned Business Enterprises (M/WSEDBE) in construction projects in excess of $100,000 or more. This 12.46% good faith effort goal replaces the 10% good faith effort approved by the Board of Education in December 1994 and reaffirmed on June 11, 1996.

The Board of Education expects to increase the participation level of MWBE contractors through the adoption of this policy, which shall be implemented by the Superintendent through appropriate procedures.  The procedures to implement this policy should foster efficiency and fairness in the award of contracts.  The procedures should also encourage and promote contracting opportunities for all businesses while maintaining the Board’s commitment to assist and protect the interest of all business owners that compete for contracting opportunities with the Board of Education.