Procurement and Contracts

Clarifies the eligibility of an employment agency for status as a small business for division of minority and women's business development programs by changing the basis from number of employees to annual receipts.

Requires state contracts with construction firms reserve a percent of such contract to soft cost spending towards small businesses located near the construction site; defines what qualifies as soft cost spending.

Relates to establishing expanded construction mentorship opportunities for small business enterprises where there is privity of contract between a small business enterprise and a subcontractor or contractor working on an authority public works contract.

This bill modifies the Veterans' Services Law to increase the statewide participation goal for service-disabled veteran-owned business enterprises on state contracts from six percent to twenty percent. The change directly affects state procurement processes by setting a higher target for how much of state contract spending should go to these businesses. The provision is implemented immediately upon taking effect and establishes a clear numerical benchmark for future contract awards.

Requires that public contracts be divided by size into large, medium, small and micro contracts for the purpose of increasing opportunities for small businesses, including minority-owned business enterprises and women-owned business enterprises, to participate in state contracts.