DATE:
April 30, 2024
12
TO:
Board of Supervisors
SUBJECT
Title
EXPANDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOCAL BUSINESSES TO PARTICIPATE IN COUNTY CONTRACTS (DISTRICTS: ALL)
Body
OVERVIEW
In Fiscal Year 2022-23, the County of San Diego (County) had a total procurement spend of over $1.9 billion. The Department of Purchasing and Contracting (DPC) is responsible for coordinating efforts to improve the County's contracting process, including the development of standard procedures for the selection of contractors, standard contract provisions, and contract administration practices. In recognition of the investments that the County makes into the community through contracted services and supply purchases, DPC has significantly increased its proactive approach to engaging local, small businesses into its processes and procedures.
There are several existing policies that guide the inclusion of local and small businesses, as well as Veteran Owned Businesses and Disabled Veterans Business Enterprises. These programs and policies aim to increase accessibility to the County's procurement process and help provide that the County's resources are being invested in community businesses.
Although the County recognizes the value of offering opportunities to local businesses on a Countywide level, more can be done to provide local businesses opportunities to respond to, and potentially be awarded, County procurements located in their own communities. With community engagement being at the core of the County's General Management System, we recommend that the County investigate opportunities to expand the County's reach to local businesses through outreach, education and review of current programs that enhance the ability of local business to participate in County procurements.
RECOMMENDATION
CHAIRWOMAN NORA VARGAS AND SUPERVISOR JOEL ANDERSON
Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to investigate and report back to the Board within 180 days on opportunities to expand the Coun...
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