For generations, Pennsylvania’s diverse and disadvantaged businesses have helped foster economic growth and job creation in communities that have been left behind throughout the Commonwealth. Despite this, many of these businesses still do not have equal opportunities to receive state procurement contracts and lack the resources needed to effectively compete for these contracts. To help our diverse and disadvantaged businesses grow, we must ensure that they have equitable contracting opportunities with the Pennsylvania state government. These contracts provide invaluable benefits to our businesses and open new doors to opportunities, such as business exposure, long-term sustainability, improved access to resources, and greater income streams.
 
For these reasons, I will be introducing legislation that would establish the HUB (Historically Underutilized Business) Zone Business Procurement Program, which will ensure that executive and independent agencies, in which the Department of General Services (DGS) acting as the purchasing agency, enter into contracts with HUB zone businesses. Under this legislation, DGS will be required to establish contract-specific goals for each contract entered into by the purchasing agency, which ensures that HUB zone businesses participate in 20% of contracts totaling between $100,000 to $750,000, as well as 20% of the contracts greater than $750,000.
 
This legislation will ensure that our diverse and disadvantaged businesses have a more equitable chance to participate in state government contracts, which will boost our economy, bring resources to local communities, and will give our underserved entrepreneurs the support they deserve. I hope that you will join me in co-sponsoring this legislation to provide greater opportunities for disadvantaged businesses throughout Pennsylvania.
 
   
 
 

Statutes/Laws affected:
Printer's No. 3046: 62-2201