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File #: 21-6470    Version: 1 Name:
Type: Financial Authorization Status: Passed
File created: 11/16/2021 In control: Commissioners Court
On agenda: 11/30/2021 Final action: 11/30/2021
Title: Request that the Office of County Administration work with the County Attorney's Office, Purchasing Department, and the Department of Economic Equity and Opportunity to create a fund allocating $200,000 to community colleges and Independent School Districts in Harris County to conduct disparity studies regarding utilization of Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBE), upon the condition that recipient institutions shall create and adopt MWBE programs designed using national best practices to remedy any race and gender disparities identified.
Department: Commissioner, Precinct 1

Department Head/Elected Official: Rodney Ellis, Commissioner Precinct One


Regular or Supplemental RCA:

? Regular RCA
? Supplemental RCA


Type of Request: Financial Authorization

Project ID (if applicable): N/A
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): N/A
MWDBE Participation (if applicable): N/A

Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
title
Request that the Office of County Administration work with the County Attorney's Office, Purchasing Department, and the Department of Economic Equity and Opportunity to create a fund allocating $200,000 to community colleges and Independent School Districts in Harris County to conduct disparity studies regarding utilization of Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBE), upon the condition that recipient institutions shall create and adopt MWBE programs designed using national best practices to remedy any race and gender disparities identified.
end

Background and Discussion:
A recent assessment conducted by the Greater Houston Partnership analyzing diversity, equity and inclusion across the Harris County region discovered that "less than 30% of both private and public organizations surveyed reported Minority Business Enterprise spending. The average MBE spending amounts to 2% of the procurement budget." Currently, one community college in the Harris County region has a diversity supplier program and one Independent School District has an MWBE program. The goal of this fund is to encourage the mitigation of racial and gender disparities where they may exist in public procurement practices, decrease barriers often experienced by MWBEs in contract procurement, and increase access to economic opportunities.

Expected Impact: Encourage the mitigation of racial and gender disparities where they may exist in public procurement practices, decrease barriers often experienced by MWBEs in contract procurement, and increase access to economic opportunities.

Alternative Options: N/A...

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