Minority Business Enterprise/Women's Business Enterprise (MBE/WBE)
PurposeThe data base allows Minority Business Enterprise/Women's Business Enterprise (MBE/WBE) Coordinators to input "fair share" goals negotiated by EPA and the recipient. This system also provides to all users the ability to see recipient "fair share" goals.
Target Users
Grants Management Offices, MBE/WBE Coordinators, Grantees, Office of Small Disadvantaged Business Utilization. MBE/WBE Coordinators will use the system to enter and update"fair share" goal information as it is negotiated by EPA and the recipient organizations. Grants Management Offices, Grantees and the Office of Small Disadvantaged Business Utilization will use the system to look up and view goal information by recipient organization.
Background
As a result of the Supreme Court Decision in Adarand Constructors, Inc. V. Pena, a case arising out of the Department of Transportation (DOT), President Clinton directed the Department of Justice (DOJ) to work closely with all federal agencies on their affirmative action plans to ensure that they are in compliance with the Adarand principles. EPA has worked with DOJ to ensure that the Agency's Program for the utilization of Small, Minority and Women's Business enterprises in procurement under Assistance Agreements (Program) complies with these principles. Under EPA's revised Program Guidance, "fair share" objectives must be based on availability of qualified MBEs/WBEs to do the work in the relevant market for procurement for four categories: construction, equipment, services and supplies. The Supreme Court decision necessitates changes to the way EPA negotiates MBE/WBE goals. States will need to have FY 1998 fair share negotiations based on availability completed with the regional MBE/WBE Coordinator by March 31, 1998. Non-State recipients who do not want to rely on their appropriate State's goal may elect to submit proposed goals based on availability analyses.
For More Information
For more information on EPA's affirmative acticon and grant activities visit the Office of Small Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) website at http://www.epa.gov/osdbu/ .
Usage
Please see the Instructions for information on using the database and its functions.