ORDINANCE adopting Disparity Study performed by MGT CONSULTING GROUP, LLC, to inform future program recommendations and policy decisions affecting the City’s Minority, Women, and Small Business Enterprise Program; amending various provisions of CHAPTER 15 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES, HOUSTON TEXAS, relating to Minority, Women, and Small Business participation in City contracting; adding Article XII establishing a Veteran-Owned Business Enterprise Program; adopting City-Wide Goals for the City’s Minority, Women, and Small Business Enterprise Program; making various findings and provisions relating to the foregoing subject; providing for severability

Council is asked to approve changes to Chapter 15 of the Code of Ordinances.  The proposed changes accomplish the following:

• Allows the City to adopt the data of the disparity study conducted by MGT Consulting
• Maintains the current MBE and WBE categories
• Expands the Small Business Enterprise Program for application across all spending categories (Construction without a cap, Professional Services, Goods, and Other Services)
• Adds a certification for Veteran Owned Small Business entities
• Adds Wrap-Around programs to ensure the success of micro and small businesses
• Provides OBO additional time to consider public feedback received to make additional recommendations around goal credit participation for all our small businesses

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Cylenthia Hoyrd, Director