Executive order [Jan. 11, 1999F]

THE STATE OF GEORGIA
EXECUTIVE ORDER

BY THE GOVERNOR:

WHEREAS: The growth and stability of the business community is critical to the entire state's economic well-being; and

WHEREAS:

-4dvancements made by the business community are consistent with my vision as Governor that Georgia's future will overflow with an educated workforce capable of capitalizing on growth opportunities that foster a healthy and competitive business climate; and

WHEREAS: The findings from the Report on Minority Participation in State Government dated January 7, 1997, reported that only 2.5 percent of the state's contracts are awarded to minority contractors; and

WHEREAS: There is a critical need to ensure that minority businesses are integrated into and afforded an opportunity for full participation in the state's procurement process; and

WHEREAS:

Only through the collaborative efforts of the business community at large, coupled with direct and deliberate measures implemented by state government, can we effectively increase participation by minority vendors in the state's procurement process.

NOW, THEREFORE, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY VESTED IN ME AS GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA, IT IS HEREBY

ORDERED:

That all state agencies, authorities, commissions and institutions shall make an immediate concerted effort to increase the level of minority business participation in the state contracting process by increasing bid opportunities extended to the minority business community and by providing more direct assistance to minority vendors on how the state contracting process works.

IT IS FURTHER

ORDERED: That all bid documents shall include statements encouraging minority business participation and statements encouraging majority businesses to subcontract with

minority businesses; additionally, all bid documents shall include notification of the income tax credit that is available to any business that subcontracts with a minorityowned business.

IT IS FURTHER

ORDERED:

That all state agencies, authorities, commissions and institutions shall make special efforts to publicize and advertise bid opportunities to the minority business community including the use of minority-oriented media, and that notification be given to nonprofit organizations, publications and special interest groups whose primary membership includes or targets minority contractors.

IT IS FURTHER

ORDERED:

That all state agencies, authorities, commissions and institutions shall appoint a designee to act as a liaison between their organization and minority vendors to provide one-on-one assistance and ensure that bid information is widely and appropriately disseminated; the name, address and telephone number of this individual is to be forwarded immediately to the Governor's Office and posted on all bid documents.

IT IS FURTHER

ORDERED:

That at the end of each calendar quarter beginning July 1, 1999, a report shall be submitted to the Governor's Office and the Small and Minority Business Office in the Department of Administrative Services outlining all pertinent information concerning bid opportunities to minority vendors, awarded contracts, any obstacles to increasing minority business participation, steps that can be taken to overcome such obstacles, and any other relative information above and beyond information currently reported to the Department of Administrative Services Purchasing Division; these reports shall be provided in the format established and furnished to the entities involved by the Small and Minqrity Business Program.

IT IS FURTHER

ORDERED:

That the Commissioner of the Department of Administrative Services shall report on June 30 and December 3 1 of each year to the Governor information reported by the agencies, authorities, commissions and institutions on bid opportunities and contracts awarded to minority vendors.

IT IS FURTHER

ORDERED: That the Director of the Small and Minority Business Office will report to and meet with the Director of Business Development in the Governor's Office on a monthly basis to document progress in increasing minority business participation and to

ATTEST: Executive Secretary

Governor