JEFFERSON CITY — Funding secured in the Fiscal Year 2014 state operating budget by Sen. Shalonn “Kiki” Curls, D-Kansas City, paved the way for a disparity study for Missouri’s Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE) Program to ensure that these businesses can compete fairly for state contracts. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Sen. Curls worked last session to include $700,000 in the state’s spending plan for this disparity study.
“These businesses should have an equal opportunity at securing state contracts for infrastructure projects, and a disparity student will help determine how to allocate these dollars by comparing the actual number of M/WBE in Missouri to the actual number of M/WBE that receive state government contracts,” said Sen. Curls. “We’ll know if a disparity exists if it is found that these certain businesses are underutilized in our state’s contracting system. The last time Missouri conducted a similar disparity study was in 1994; it was completed in 1998.”
The Office of Administration (OA) is holding a series of public meetings regarding this disparity study for the M/WBE program. Stakeholders and business owners are encouraged to attend these public meetings to provide input from businesses, community organization and individuals regarding their experiences in doing business with the state of Missouri through its M/WBE program. Those in attendance will also be able to disclose any barriers they have encountered when exploring state contracting opportunities.
“If this directly impacts your business and how you utilize the M/WBE program, it is important that you attend these meetings,” continued Sen. Curls. “Your insight regarding our state and its contracting practices to help identify potential program improvements is extremely valuable to all those involved in this process. In addition, your input increases collaboration to promote economic growth in our state.”
Individuals interested in attending one or more of these meetings or to find out more information regarding these upcoming events, please contact (855) 692-6529 [(855) MWB-ELAW] or email: Missouri_study@mwbelaw.com.
Disparity Study Meetings
What: Meeting scheduled for M/WBE business owners’ interviews
When: March 31, 2014
Where: Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Heritage Center
3700 Blue Parkway, Kansas City, MO 64130
Time: 10:00 a.m. – Construction, 1:00 p.m. – Construction-related professional services; design; architectural, 4:00 p.m. – Goods and Services
What: Meeting scheduled for non-M/WBE business owners’ interviews
When: April 1, 2014
Where: Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Heritage Center
3700 Blue Parkway, Kansas City, MO 64130
Time: 10:00 a.m. – Construction, 1:00 p.m. – Construction-related professional services; design; architectural, 4:00 p.m. – Goods and Services
What: Stakeholder meeting; seating is first come, first served
When: April 2, 2014
Where: Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Heritage Center
3700 Blue Parkway, Kansas City, MO 64130
Time: 10:00 a.m. |
