RantWoman considers the following request for comment important enough just shamelessly to reprint the announcement from email.
RantWoman of course will have opinions as soon as she reads the full content herself, but in the meantime...
| DES seeks comment on draft supplier diversity policy through October 31, 2021The state has committed to dismantling barriers to inclusion and equity in its procurement practices. A statewide Disparity Study calls for changes to current state procurement practices and policies so they will not perpetuate systemic disparities. For real change to occur, a supplier diversity policy is needed that will require agencies to align their practices with recommendations from both the study and the Governor’s Subcabinet on Business Diversity. The supplier diversity policy that DES is developing with Office of Minority & Women's Business Enterprises (OMWBE), Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA), and the Office of Equity will significantly change how agencies do their own procurements and also affect state master contracts. DES is seeking feedback on an initial discussion draft through Oct. 31, 2021, including during an Aug. 18 policy workshop (register now for the workshop). Providing input before a final draft of the policy is generated is the most effective way to bring your thoughts, information and feedback to the table. The policy is designed to address several concerns documented in the 2019 Disparity Study. DES recognizes that implementing the policy will not be an easy task. Your feedback will help us not only design the policy but also design the support tools and training needed both for agencies that will be required to follow the policy and for businesses that want to work with the state. About the draftThe new policy will seek to encourage and facilitate purchases of goods and services from Washington’s small as well as veteran-owned businesses. Many small businesses also are diverse businesses. The policy is also being designed to incorporate the Tools for Equity in Public Spending developed by the Subcabinet including for forecasting, outreach, unbundling, inclusion plans, and contract language. Provide feedbackDraft documents How to comment DES is especially interested in hearing thoughts on the following topics. Answers to these questions will be very helpful to us. Although we recognize that all questions do not apply to everyone, please provide any input where it applies to you and your organization. - Is there anything missing?
- Is there anywhere the policy does not align with Disparity Study recommendations or the Subcabinet’s Tools for Equity in Public Spending?
- Is there anywhere the policy does not align with the intent of RCW 39.26.005, RCW 39.26.090(6), RCW 39.19.010, RCW 43.60A.200, as well as Executive Order 19-01.
- Are there barriers to following the drafted policy?
- What resources would be helpful?
- Are there concerns about any unintended issues the policy would cause for businesses?
- Are the policy and procedure drafts clear and easy to understand?
- Suggestions for working within existing, older data systems to provide transparency until the implementation of One Washington, which will provide greater utility for inclusion efforts tied to data.
What’s nextDES will update the policy draft based on feedback, and will re-engage everyone at that point. More informationDraft Supplier Diversity webpage |
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| This email was sent to dorenefc@gmail.com using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Washington State Department of Enterprise Services · PO Box 41401 · Olympia, WA · 98504-1401 |
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