Striving for equality in business is often easier said than done. Many times, minority and women-owned business enterprises (M/WBE) have difficulty getting started.
In an effort to level the playing field, the city of Boston has created a plan to support diversity in supporting M/WBEs in new contracting opportunities.
Here are some of the provisions included in the Boston Equitable Procurement Plan that went into effect earlier this year.
Procurement provisions
Often, smaller M/WBEs do not get opportunities to bid on city projects since they do not have the same established connections. The Boston Equitable Procurement Plan provides for including small, disadvantaged or M/WBEs to be included in the bidding process for city projects.
Resource allocation
One of the biggest struggles for minority and women-owned business ventures is getting the resources they need to get started. Prior to the Boston Equitable Procurement Plan, these resources tended to go to business owners who had the right connections.
The plan supports M/WBEs by changing the way the city awards support and includes diversity training to help staff avoid biases. There is also accountability in place with required reporting to the Board.
Community outreach
The Boston Procurement Plan also includes community outreach. This effort will raise awareness for business owners who may not otherwise hear about how the plan can give them the support they need.
Boston’s plan to support minority and women-owned businesses is a positive initiative to build diversity in the city and the Boston community.
