Guidelines for Diversity Program for DBEs, MBEs, and WBEs

Commodities, Services, and Construction
As of August 15, 2011

Program Guidelines for Participating Public Sector Institutions

The participating entities will, whenever feasible, provide opportunities to certified disadvantaged (DBE), minority (MBDE), or women business enterprises (WBE) in the procurement process.

It is the intent of the entities to provide certified DBE, MBE, and WBE with equal opportunity to participate in all aspects of the entitties' contracting and procurement programs, including, but not limited to, participation in procurement contracts for equipment, materials, services, supplies, and the construction, renovation or repair of facilities and equipment.

The intent of the participating entities listed herein, is to provide information or other opportunities to certified DBE, MBE, and WBE that may also be available to all other business enterprises.

It is the intent of these guidelines to widen opportunities for vendor participation, to increase competition, and to reduce costs. It is not the intent of these guidelines to establish procedures that will increase the cost of construction and procurement programs.

Public entities will provided a statement encouraging prime and general contractors to consider certified DBE, WBE, and MBE for those construction or federally funded contracts valued at/above $100,000 which have subcontracting opportunities. Also, public entities shall provide links to certified DBE, WBE, and MBE directories. Firms wishing to become certified will contact participating public agencies for guidance as to how to become certified.

The participating entities and contractors will not knowingly exclude any person from participation in bidding, deny any person the benefits of, or otherwise discriminate against anyone in connection with the award and performance of any contract on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, or religion.

In administering its program, the entity will not, directly or through contractual or other arrangements, use criteria or methods of administration that have the effect of defeating or substantially impairing accomplishment of the objectives of the program with respect to individuals of a particular race, color, sex, national origin, or religion.

A copy of these program guidelines will be available for public review in the offices of the department authorized to enter into contracts for each participating entity, and will be included on the website of each participating entity.

Each participating entity shall maintain records, documentation, and required reporting activities to ensure compliance with the goals and objectives of program guidelines.

Outreach Programs

Participating entities will provided the following assistance to DBE, MBE, and WBE vendors:

  • The participating entities will give consideration to providing training opportunities through individual assistance, electronic information, or workshops to be delivered by the governmental entities through the Chamber of Commerce to assist disadvantaged businesses in learning how to do business with the entities.
  • Where feasible, each entity will provide electronic links to other website solicitation opportunities.
  • Where feasible, the participating entities will make available electronic guidelines to assist all businesses, including disadvantaged businesses, in learning how to do business with the entities.
  • Where feasible, the participating entities will make available appropriate staff to assist certified disadvantaged businesses (DBE, WBE, and MBE) in learning how to do business with the entity.
  • Where feasible, the participating entities will make available source lists of certified state and federal businesses (DBE, WBE, and MBE) for the purpose of encouraging procurement from disadvantaged businesses.

Measurable Benchmarking

Participating entities are encouraged to perform benchmarking to determine the effectiveness of the outreach programs based on the following performance measures:

  • Number of participants attending the annual or semi-annual workshops
  • Number of new State of Missouri certified DBE, WBE, and MBEs registered in the region
  • Total dollars spent with State of Missouri certified DBE, WBE, and MBE's in the region

Note: The region is considered to be the Springfield Metropolitan Statistical Area (SMSA).

Diversity Program Participating Entities

  • City of Springfield
  • City Utilities
  • Drury University
  • Greene County
  • Missouri State University
  • Ozarks Technical Community College
  • Springfield Public Schools
  • Springfield-Greene County Library District