Title
AN ORDINANCE related to the contracting opportunities program and allowing for modifications to the eligibility criteria for small contractors and suppliers certification; and amending Ordinance 13983, Section 3, as amended, and K.C.C. 2.97.030.
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STATEMENT OF FACTS:
1. The county's contracting opportunities program promotes the use of small contractors and suppliers ("small businesses") as prime contractors, subcontractors and suppliers on county contracts by applying contract requirements, incentives and equity strategies to solicitations for goods and services, consulting and construction services to give small businesses a competitive advantage in winning county contracts.
2. The state's Office of Minority and Women's Business Enterprises certifies small businesses owned and controlled by minority, women and socially and economically disadvantaged persons to increase contracting opportunities for those businesses with state and local governments.
3. King County and the state of Washington Office of Minority and Women's Business Enterprises have different eligibility size standards for small business certification.
4. King County's size standards are set at fifty percent of the U.S. Small Business Administration size standards. The state's Office of Minority and Women's Business Enterprises size standards are equal to one hundred percent of the U.S. Small Business Administration size standards.
5. A reciprocal certification process would allow any small businesses owned and controlled by minority, women and socially and economically disadvantaged persons currently state certified with the state's Office of Minority and Women's Business Enterprises to automatically be certified as a small contractor and supplier with the county.
6. To implement a reciprocal certification process requires that the county amend the contracting opportunities program ordinance to match the state's Office of Minority and Women's Business Enterprises size standards....

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