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As an independent authority of the District of Columbia Government the Washington Convention Center Authority first looks to CBEs to provide our goods and services.
What is an CBE? It’s a certified business enterprise.
The Washington Convention Center also complies with the District’s CBE law.
Under the provisions of the “Small, Local, and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Development and Assistance Act of 2005” (the Act), Title II, Subtitle N, of the “Fiscal Year 2006 Budget Support Act of 2005”, D.C. Law 16-33, effective October 20, 2005., preferences shall be given to Offerors that are certified by the Department of Small and Local Business Development as having Resident Business Ownership, being a Local Business Enterprise, being a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, or as operating in an Enterprise Zone.
Furthermore, the “Small, Local, and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Development and Assistance Act of 2005” (the Act), Title II, Subtitle N, of the “Fiscal Year 2006 Budget Support Act of 2005”, D.C. Law 16-33, effective October 20, 2005., requires mandatory set-asides of contracts in the District of Columbia Supply Schedule (DCSS) for small business enterprises. Each agency shall set aside every contract of $100,000 or less for the for the District of Columbia Supply Schedule for small business enterprises; provided, that the agency shall not be required to set aside a contract if the agency determines in writing that there are not at least 2 (two) responsible certified small business enterprises on the DCSS that can provide the services or goods which are the subject of the contract.
To learn more about the District Supply Schedule please go The District of Columbia Office of Contracting and Procurement (OCP) website at http://ocp.dc.gov/ocp/site/default.asp
The Washington Convention Center Authority purchases goods and services in the following manner:
- District of Columbia Supply Schedule - Up to Maximum Order of Limitation (MOL)
- GSA Supply Schedule - Up to Maximum Order Limitation (MOL)
- Request for Quotations - For goods and services with a value of $100,000 or less
- Request for Proposals - For good and services with a value of $100,000 or more
- Invitation for Bids - For goods and services with a value of $100,000 or more
If CBEs are not able to fulfill the Center needs, WCCA many times will require that the CBEs participate in at least 35% of the contract. These companies must comply with Federal laws prohibiting discrimination and regulating conditions under certain contracts with agencies of the United States and of the District of Columbia, as well as with District laws such as: the District of Columbia Human Rights Act; the First Source Employment Agreement Act; and the Small, Local, and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Development and Assistance Act of 2005. Offerors are required to submit a subcontracting plan with their proposals. The subcontracting plan must demonstrate how the requirement will be met and should identify the specific CBE firms that will be used and their respective roles.
WCCA also hosts on a reoccurring basis a Business Roundtable to include certified and non-certified CBEs. This forum allows for networking and information sharing. Information provided includes the process for becoming CBE certified and how vendors can get on the DC Supply Schedule.
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