For Immediate Release: Tuesday, February 25, 2020
Bill 39-19 expands the percentage of procurement dollars local small businesses can receive from the County and allows nonprofit organizations to participate in County’s Local Small Business Reserve Program
ROCKVILLE, Md., Feb. 25, 20200—Today the Montgomery County Council unanimously enacted Bill 39-19, the Local Small Business Reserve Program (LSBRP) and Direct Purchase Enhancement Act. Councilmember Will Jawando was the lead sponsor of the measure and all other Councilmembers were cosponsors.
“It can be really daunting to start a business, when you’re trying to get your foot in the door and learn how to access government procurement,” said Councilmember Jawando. “Now, millions of dollars of County government purchases can become a way for local small businesses to get their foot in the door, begin to expand and help grow our economy. This bill also recognizes the great work of our nonprofits, which account for 13 percent of our economy, give opportunities to our workforce and provide so many valuable services. It allows them to compete and access procurement dollars.”
Bill 39-19 increases the percentage of eligible procurements to certified local for-profit small businesses from 20 to 25 percent and allows nonprofit organizations to participate in the program. The measure further defines direct purchases as those purchases and contracts that are less than $10,000 and creates a goal of 50 percent of such purchases by County departments procured from local small businesses. In addition, Bill 39-19 establishes a report card for agencies, to be produced by the Office of Procurement, to track progress toward this goal and amplify awareness of expenditures less than $10,000.
Councilmember Jawando’s remarks at the introduction of Bill 39-19 can be viewed here.
The Council staff report including Bill 39-19 can be viewed here.
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Release ID: 20-063