EQUAL BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM (EBOP)

Business Directory [PDF] Download Program Form [PDF] Certification Program Forms [PDF] Bid Opportunities w/City Advisory Committee List Newsletters in PDF Format Current Newsletter April-June 2006 January-March 2006 Links of Interest TN Minority supplier Diversity Council TN Department of Transportation Knox County Supplier Diversity Metropolitan Airport Authority Knoxville Community Dev. Corp. Joshalyn Hundley, Community Relations E-mail jhundley@cityofknoxville.org Room 654-C, City County Building Administration - 865-215-3867 I. Creation of a Minorities, Women, Small Businesses Program Good Faith Effort Inclusion Plan The Good Faith Effort Plan requires documentation of prime contractor efforts to include minorities, and women. The plan includes language in contracts, request for proposals and request for qualifications encouraging partnerships and joint ventures.(Contracting Component see page 9) Implementation of the plan includes: Staff A Small Business Resource Center A Business Reference Library Bid Solicitation Review Committee II. Certification Process to Identify Minorities, Women and Small Businesses and to Establish Capacity and Capability The City of Knoxville will use advertisement resources, focus groups, exhibit opportunities and conference participation to identify minorities, women and small businesses. III. Numerical Goals The City will set targeted numerical goals for businesses owned by minorities and women. The goals will be to increase M/W/BE participation in the total dollars contracted. 10 percent of total dollars targeted for Construction 10 percent of total dollars targeted for Goods and Services 10 percent of total dollars targeted for Professional Services Once a baseline has been established the City will also institute processes that will help to increase the number of certified M/W/SBEs by 20 percent, as a result, increasing the capacity of M/W/SBEs. IV. Technical Assistance The City of Knoxville will offer Technical Assistance through: Established Training Programs Mentor-Protégé Program (see mentoring component page 33) Workshops and Seminars Financial Planning Marketing Business Planning Bonding Gap Financing City and KCDC contracting and procurement practices and policies Diversity Training V. Pilot Projects The City of Knoxville will implement pilot projects to foster the participation of Minorities, Women and Small Businesses, which will also increase M/W/SB capacity. VI. Evaluation An annual evaluation will be made of the Equal Business Opportunity Program. Recommendations for program modification will be made if needed. The annual report will be made available to the public. In three (3) years the entire Program will be evaluated to assess M/W/SBE progress in construction, goods and services and professional services.