City of Columbus – Executive Order for WBEs and MBEs

Today Mayor Andrew Ginther signed an executive order to enact the recommendations from the disparity study concluded a year ago. Small minority- and women-owned businesses will suffer the greatest impact from the slowing economy. They must be part of the recovery.

The Office of Diversity and Inclusion joined with Mayor Andrew J. Ginther as he issued an executive order to accelerate the recommendations of the disparity study.

In response to the disparities found in the 2019 study and the disparate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on small, minority and women-owned businesses, today’s order is an important step in ensuring our small, minority and women-owned businesses are not left behind in our city’s economic recovery.

Over the next several months, our office, in collaboration with our consultants, Mason Tillman & Associates and JD2 Strategists, are working with many stakeholders including Columbus City Council and our City Departments to develop an MWBE program, bolster elements of our City Code to support the new program, and secure the technology resources to enable proper tracking and compliance.

1. The establishment of a Business Advisory Council which will serve as an advocate for Minority and Women Owned Businesses (“M/WBE’s’) and serve to support the Office of Diversity and Inclusion (“ODI”) in meeting the proposed M/WBE prime contract and subcontract
2. The streamlining of payment procedures for prime contractors and subcontractors in order to enhance theability of certified M/WBE businesses to have the necessary liquidity to maintain
3. The creation of the necessary systems, through the joint efforts of ODI and the Department of Finance and Management, to ensure the accurate tracking, managing and reporting of comprehensive M/WBE and non-W/MBE prime contractor and subcontractor data
4. The development of standards to unbundle large procurements into smaller contracts identifying the appropriate trades for unbundling and developing size limitations for smaller
5. The implementation of an Owner-controlled Insurance Program (OCIP) to consolidate the risk and management costs and reduce the burden of the insurance premium for M/WBE’s and small
6. The waiver of bonding requirements for contracts under $50,000.00. Such a small contracts bond waiver provision could serve as a significant incentive for small businesses to bid on City projects, creating more opportunities for small, and M/WBE’s.
7. The implementation of a Sheltered Market Program across all industries to maximize the award of contracts in accordance with the thresholds as set forth in the Disparity

The order can be found here.  A video announcing the details is available here.