QUESTION
Council Member Brooks Powers Inquires About DDC and SBS Coordination for MWBE Certification
1:20:45
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163 sec
Council Member Brooks Powers probes the coordination between the Department of Design and Construction (DDC) and the Small Business Services (SBS) regarding the certification process for Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs). The discussion uncovers efforts to facilitate certification for MWBEs in line for contracts. It highlights a collaborative process where DDC assists potential contractors in navigating the certification process with SBS, including cases where certification review may be expedited to secure contracts.
Speaker 1
1:20:45
Wanted to touch on DDC's relationship with other city agencies.
1:20:49
First, I'd like to add on to the question earlier from chair Juan in terms of the certification process, for example.
1:20:57
And while I understand that that takes place in SBS's wheelhouse, I think we all can read that it is a critical need for our MWDEs to be certified in order to take advantage of these contractual opportunities.
1:21:17
So I took from the response earlier and correct me if I'm wrong, that there is no current coordination with SBS in terms of if there was a business that wanted to take part.
1:21:31
A city contract that may not be certified.
1:21:35
Is there anything in place that would kind of hold the business hand in in move them along that SBS process so that they don't miss an opportunity on a contract opportunity community?
Speaker 5
1:21:49
Yes.
1:21:49
So there is coordination between the agencies and SBS.
1:21:53
When there is a MWE, who is on the verge of getting a contract, we work with them in order to we refer them to SBS for them to submit their MWB application.
1:22:06
Now once the once the application has been submitted and if that firm is pending, and they have a contract or subcontract in hand, we will call SBS and ask them to expedite their certification review process.
Speaker 1
1:22:24
So in that instance, how long is that process?
Speaker 5
1:22:28
How long is that process?
1:22:30
It it it really it really depends on if the submitted application has been submitted completely
Speaker 0
1:22:36
Mhmm.
Speaker 5
1:22:36
And and and also it may require us to have a a one on one meeting with the applicant to make sure that the firm should get certified.
1:22:45
And so we we will circle back around with you with the average MWA certification processing time that is taking firms to get certified.
Speaker 1
1:22:54
Because I'm I'm curious in terms of if when you're department holds their hand through the process?
1:23:03
Is it quicker if they as opposed to them going to SBS directly?
1:23:07
And what that looks like Yeah.
Speaker 5
1:23:09
Even even if the if the firm goes to SBS directly, if the firm reaches out to us indicating that we have a contract in hand, can you help me get certified?
1:23:19
We will then reach out to SBS and ask them to please expedite that certification review.
Speaker 1
1:23:27
Got it.