§ 102-447. Small business assistance and procedures to ensure that SBEs have an equitable opportunity to compete for contracts and subcontracts.

(1)

Procedures to ensure opportunities. To the extent feasible and that there are available resources, Fulton County may utilize the following measures to ensure maximum practicable opportunities for SBE participation on county contracts:

(a)

Assist SBEs in obtaining insurance and surety bonds where necessary in the performance of contracts, including but not limited to:

i.

Packaging contracts so that dollar amounts do not require bonding;

ii.

Encouraging prime contractors to waive bonding or assist SBE subcontractors in obtaining bonding;

iii.

Encouraging staged bonding where feasible, when bonding is carried over from one project stage to the next; and

iv.

Relaxing bonding requirements for projects, to the extent permitted by Fulton County Code or state law.

(b)

Encourage the formation of joint ventures between SBEs. DPCC may also assist prime contractors in identifying interested SBEs for subcontracts;

(c)

Provide information on Fulton County's organization and contractual needs and offer instructions on bid specifications, procurement policy, procedures and general bidding requirements;

(d)

Provide specifications and requests for proposals to the SBE community in a timely manner to allow SBEs adequate time to develop responsive bids. In instances where the cost of obtaining specifications or requests for proposal is prohibitive, copies of the material would be made available at no charge to SBE development agencies;

(e)

Establish prorated payment and delivery schedules where feasible, to minimize cash flow problems faced by small firms. The county may provide guidance to SBE contractors regarding maintenance of positive flow in order that current obligations can be met;

(f)

Hold pre-bid conferences to explain SBE requirements as well as forms that must be submitted with a bid;

(g)

Permit bidders to review and evaluate successful bid documents of similar procurements via the Georgia Open Records Act;

(h)

Provide projected procurement information and contracting schedules through the office of contract compliance and other outreach efforts;

(i)

Conduct internal information workshops to inform and acquaint the county staff with the goals and objectives of Fulton County's Small Business Enterprise program and to sensitize them to the challenges faced by SBEs;

(j)

Maintain records showing specific efforts to identify and award contracts to SBEs and establish a monitoring system to ensure that all contractors, subcontractors, consultants and vendors comply with contract specifications related to SBE utilization; and

(k)

Inform SBEs of bid notices and specifications related to their capability by placing bid notices in major local newspapers and other periodicals or on the Fulton County Website. Bid notices may also be sent to local trade associations, technical assistance agencies, economic development groups and SBEs with capabilities that may be relevant to the bid notice as identified by Fulton County's SBE data bank. Bid specifications may be made available to SBE contractor associations and technical assistance agencies. Lists of potential firms bidding as primes may also be made available to SBEs.

(l)

Provide in contracts a provision requiring the contractor to certify it has complied with the prompt payment requirements pursuant to County Code at section 102-435(j).

(2)

Direct assistance to SBEs. In addition to the procedures set forth above, the DPCC may also undertake special measures to assist SBEs in overcoming barriers to participation on county contracts. This assistance may be offered directly by the county, as well as by county referral to other assistance agencies with established, comprehensive and continuous SBE development programs. Businesses requiring management and technical assistance may be identified through a questionnaire, through personal experience with these businesses and through requests for assistance. The DPCC may, to the extent feasible, offer the following direct assistance to SBEs:

(a)

Act as a resource for technical assistance. DPCC may collect, organize and disseminate information regarding available technical assistance providers in the Atlanta MSA.

(b)

Act as a resource for financial assistance. DPCC may collect, organize and disseminate information regarding available capital or financing sources in the Atlanta MSA.

(c)

The DPCC may provide SBEs with information regarding bonding including, providing a list of qualified service providers that supply bonding services; and may coordinate the development of programs with existing service providers in the Atlanta MSA.

(d)

Provide counseling and training sessions for SBEs. County staff may be available to interested business representatives to explain (in detail) instructions for preparation of bid specifications, the county's procurement policies, procedures and general bid requirements. DPCC would then coordinate and follow-up all requests for assistance to ensure that all necessary information was provided.

(e)

Provide coordination and referral to existing business development organizations.

(f)

Sponsor workshops and training sessions on identified SBE problem areas, including pricing and estimating, joint venture formation, accounting principles, marketing and related areas.

(Res. No. 16-0864, App. A(E), 10-5-16)