OLO Report on Procurement Process for Local, Small or Minority Business

The Office of Legislative Oversight recently released two reports that looked at issues affecting economic development.

One looks at the County’s procurement process for local, small or minority businesses. The report, titled “Procurement and Small, Minority, Female, Disabled and Locally-Owned Businesses,” summarizes survey data collected from approximately 1,200 businesses about the County’s procurement process and the Local Small Business Reserve and the Minority, Female and Disabled-Owned Business programs. Here's the full press release:

ROCKVILLE, Md., July 29, 2014—The Montgomery County Council released a report today from the Office of Legislative Oversight (OLO) regarding the County’s procurement process for local, small or minority businesses. The report, titled “Procurement and Small, Minority, Female, Disabled and Locally-Owned Businesses,” summarizes survey data collected from approximately 1,200 businesses about the County’s procurement process and the Local Small Business Reserve (LSBRP) and the Minority, Female and Disabled-Owned Business (MFD) programs.

The report summarizes the experiences of local small businesses with the County procurement process, including a look at the steps involved in the application process and the County’s interaction with businesses. 

While survey respondents reported mixed experiences with County procurement, OLO found a strong interest among the business community to provide goods and services to County Government. 

Based on the survey results, OLO recommended in its report that the County Government strengthen current procurement outreach efforts and develop consistent follow-up for bid submissions.   

The report is available at the OLO web site at:  
http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/olo/reports.