For Immediate Release: 9/24/2015 Montgomery County’s Office of Procurement Announces New Legislation Regarding Minority Owned Businesses The Montgomery County Office of Procurement, Division of Business Relations and Compliance, announces the passage of Bill 48-14 by the Montgomery County Council, requiring that minority, female, disabled-owned businesses (MFD) be encouraged to participate in contracting. The legislation went into effect July 22, 2015. “Montgomery County is the proud home of a diverse population and our vendor base should reflect this diversity,” said County Executive Ike Leggett. “I have made it a priority to strengthen the County’s MFD program and make government more responsive, accountable and effective.” Key highlights of Bill 48-14 include: Consistent with the law, the Office of Procurement has included an evaluation factor that awards additional points (up to 10 percent of the total available points assigned to the Request for Proposals), to an offeror that: (1) has a County-recognized MFD certification; or (2) has no County-recognized MFD certification, but through subcontracting with MFD certified firms, exceeds the set, aggregate fiscal year percentage goal related to the applicable purchasing category (i.e. professional services, nonprofessional services, goods, or construction). Below are six possible scenarios under the new evaluation criteria. Scenario:

Scenario: (with MFD goal of 15%, and total of 100 points)	Prime: MFD	Prime: Non-MFD
Submits MFD plan with 16% participation	5 points for Prime being MFD 10 points for exceeding MFD goal	10 points for exceeding MFD goal
	Total: 10 points (Ceiling)	Total: 10 points
Submits MFD plan with 6% participation	5 points for Prime being MFD 4 points for partial MFD participation	0 points for NOT exceeding MFD participation goal
	Total: 9 points	Total: 0 points
Submits NO MFD plan, or an MFD plan with 0% to 15% participation	5 points for Prime being MFD	0 points for NOT exceeding MFD participation goal
	Total: 5 points	Total: 0 points

The Division of Business Relations and Compliance is responsible for implementing programs and strategies that expand contracting opportunities for Minority, Female and Disabled Owned Businesses (MFD) and Local Small Business Reserve Program (LSBRP) vendors in Montgomery County. The DBRC administers the County’s Equal Benefits Law, Wage Requirements (Living Wage) Law and Prevailing Wage Law to ensure that the County’s contractors provide equitable benefits and a livable wage for contracted workers. Through legislation and innovative contracting procedures, DBRC strives to promote a healthy and vibrant business environment with a high level of job-creation. # # # Release ID: 15-344 Media Contact: Grace Denno 240-777-9959

http://www6.montgomerycountymd.gov/apps/News/press/PR_details.asp?PrID=15288]]>