Local, Small and Minority-Owned Businesses Awarded Millions in FY18 Contracts; FY18 Numbers Show Continuous Improvement

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, October 17, 2018

The Montgomery County Office of Procurement reports that the Local Small Business Reserve Program (LSBRP) set a new record high of spending – 26.8 percent of eligible contracts or $115 million in fiscal year 2018 (FY18). In addition, 40 percent of the FY18 contracts were awarded to businesses that never had a contract with the County before.

Participation is up for the Minority, Female and Disabled (MFD) program as well. MFD businesses were awarded 23.5 percent or $198,198,235 of the total dollars subject to the MFD program in FY18, almost a $7 million increase from fiscal year 2015.

“We have made tremendous progress,” said County Executive Ike Leggett. “We have reshaped our procurement processes and increased outreach activities to connect and engage our business community. We want to continue to improve. When we have more competition, everyone wins.”

The LSBRP ensures that County departments award 20 percent (with specified exceptions) of procurement for goods, services and construction to registered and certified, local small businesses.

“This Office is committed to ensuring that all businesses have equal access to opportunities,” said Procurement Director Cherri Branson. “As we increase the number of vendors, we also increase competition.”

The MFD program encourages participation by conducting outreach activities and workshops and providing a forum for businesses to learn about individual and joint contracting opportunities with the County.

The 2019 calendar year purchasing goals are:

• Construction: 21 percent;
• Professional Services: 17 percent;
• Nonprofessional Services: 17 percent; and
• Goods: 9 percent.

The 2018 MFD Annual Report is available on the County’s website. Earlier this year, the Office of Procurement received the 2018 Achievement of Excellence in Procurement Award from the National Procurement Institute for the sixth year in a row.

To learn about contracting opportunities with the County, visit the Office of Procurement’s website.

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Release ID: 18-710
Media Contact: Bethany Manimbo 240-777-9941