§ 419.202-71 - Specific policies relating to minority, disadvantaged, and women-owned businesses.

OSDBU Coordinator shall take positive action to ensure maximum participation of minority business enterprises, including women-owned, in proposed acquisitions. These actions shall include:

(a) Establishing aggressive minority and women-owned business goals based on the annual review of advance acquisition plans. These goals shall be submitted in accordance with 419.201-72.

(b) Attempting to direct those contracting requirements to the 8(a) program which match the abilities of the minority contractors located in the area where the contract will be performed.

(1) Recurring requirements should not be assigned to the 8(a) program, without consulting SBA, when small businesses are dependent in whole or in significant part on such Government requirements. However, this does not mean that a segment of a requirement could not be assigned to the 8(a) program.

(2) The SBA publication “Firms in the 8(a) Business Development Program” should be used as an aid in locating eligible contractors.

(3) Field personnel should be encouraged to locate and contact minority contractors for possible 8(a) participation. These contractors should be directed to the nearest District or Regional Office of SBA to make application for certification.

(c) Fully utilizing available minority and women-owned vendor listings, directories and query systems to ensure that eligible and qualified minority and women-owned business enterprises are included on bidders mailing lists and source lists.

(d) Nominating OSDBU Coordinators for appointment by the HCA at each contracting office. Duties of these coordinators shall be in accordance with 419.201-71.

(e) Providing training opportunities for all personnel involved in carrying out the Department's minority and women-owned business enterprise program.

(f) Preparing plans for the utilization of minority and women-owned business enterprises. These plans may be in the form of standard operating procedures, and they are to be followed by all personnel involved in carrying out this program.