Disparity Study (Small Business Reserve Program)

Description

The City of Frederick ("City") is soliciting proposals from qualified consulting firms (hereinafter referred to as the "Consultant") to conduct a comprehensive Supplier Diversity Programs Assessment, Disparity Study, and Strategic Implementation Plan.&nbsp;The City is committed to maintaining a procurement system that promotes open competition, transparency, fiscal responsibility, and equitable access to contracting opportunities for qualified businesses. As part of this commitment, the City seeks an independent evaluation of its procurement practices, supplier diversity programs, and marketplace conditions to better understand the participation of diverse and small businesses in City contracting opportunities and to identify opportunities for continuous improvement.&nbsp;The selected Consultant shall conduct a comprehensive assessment of the City's supplier diversity programs, including the Minority and Women Business Enterprise (MWBE), Small Business Reserve (SBR), Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) initiatives, vendor outreach and engagement activities, compliance monitoring practices, and related procurement policies and procedures. The assessment shall evaluate the effectiveness of existing programs, identify barriers to participation, and recommend operational improvements consistent with current public procurement best practices.<