Kamenetz Signs Executive Order to Make It Easier for Women and Minority Owned Businesses to Obtain Government Contracts
Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz is a Minority and Women Business Enterprise (M/WBE) home run hitter. His most recent long ball was hit out of the park when he signed an Executive order thereby improving Baltimore County’s procurement process and making it easier for deserving M/WBE firms to obtain government contracts and participate in all phases of procurement in the county. “At Md. Washington Minority Companies Association (MWMCA), we appreciate the effective and efficient leadership of County Executive Kevin Kamenetz and thank him for continuing to hit home runs for M/WBE firms. Having easier access to government contracts enables M/WBE firms to thrive and have economic impact that affects all of our lives and families. May God bless him,” said Wayne R. Frazier, Sr., President of MWMCA.
Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz signed an executive order Thursday aimed at improving the county's procurement process and making it easier for women- and minority-owned businesses to get government contracts.
Kamenetz's "Open for Business Initiative" shortens the application process and creates a new purchasing program for small businesses. The move comes as comes as the two-term county executive eyes a run for the Democratic nomination for governor in next year's election.
The order will increase the competitiveness of Baltimore County's procurement process and and increase opportunities for minority and women-owned businesses, Kamenetz said.
"It's the right thing to do and it makes the most fiscal sense for the county," Kamenetz said,
The executive order includes streamlining the pre-qualification process, shortening the amount of time it takes to approve applications from 90 days to 30 days. The purchasing program that establishes a tier-based system allowing smaller firms to bid as prime contractors.
The order also includes changes to the Minority Business Enterprise/Women Business Enterprise that will now permit self-performance in meeting 50 percent of subcontracting goals. Previously, businesses could not count themselves in meeting subcontracting goals for minority and women participation, but now they will be able to count themselves for half of the goal.
Kamenetz's staff has been working on a "top to bottom" review of the procurement process for at least the last six months, he said.
Despite surpassing its own 15 percent goal for awarding money to minority and women-owned businesses, Kamenetz said the county had a "perception problem." When he would go out and speak, business owners would tell him they felt more needed to be done to make sure small businesses have opportunities to win government contracts.
Baltimore County spent $123 million on government contracts in fiscal year 2017, according to the county. Of that total, 17 percent, or $20.9 million, was awarded to minority or women-owned small businesses.
"We doubled and decided to do more," Kamenetz said.
Keith Dorsey, director of budget and finance for the county, said Kamenetz charged him and his staff with "finding things that can make an have impact and be put in place immediately."
As part of the initiative, Kamenetz created a Minority Business Enterprise Unit that will prepare an annual report to measure progress. The first report will be delivered in September.
Carla Tucker, minority and small business marketing, leads the unit and will have two new employees working for her.
Public outreach will also be a key part of the program. Kamenetz will speak at a procurement workshop at the George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology in Towson on Thursday evening. The workshop will give contractors the opportunity to learn about the pre-qualification process, potential contracting opportunities, surety bonding requirements and other details of the executive order.
Kamenetz said the county also hosts regular networking events throughout the year, like for businesses to meet prime contractors and buyers.
