Members of the New Jersey Legislature have introduced a package of twelve bills that seek to aid minority- and woman-owned businesses (MWBEs) in competing for state contract work. The package of bills comes after the release of a disparity study into state contracting from the period of 2015 through 2020, which demonstrates underutilization of MWBEs in public procurement relative to their availability in the state.
The proposed bills would make changes to State law in various ways, including: requiring State Contract Managers to monitor that certified subcontractors are actually completing work on the relevant project (Bill A4487); requiring State agencies to develop a plan each fiscal year for encouraging MWBEs to submit proposals and the awarding of contracts to MWBEs (Bill A4586); establishing a new sheltered market program that would allow setting aside certain contracts for awarding to MWBEs and other diverse businesses without a competitive bid process (Bill A4724); allowing State agencies to issue payments in advance, for up to 10 percent of the value of the contract, to certified businesses, to encourage businesses that lack capital to bid on contracts (Bill A4648); and requiring prime contractors who are awarded a contract to notify their subcontractors of the award within 30 days (Bill A4719). Other bills include more provisions relating to encouraging the monitoring, usage of, and outreach to MWBEs in the public procurement process.
Read a press release from the State's Office of Equity following the release of the original disparity study at https://www.nj.gov/governor/news/news/562024/approved/20240123a.shtml.
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