Changes To Local Business Initiative Supports HoCo Businesses

Ellicott City MD

13 August, 2021

1:10 PM

Description

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — An executive order was signed into effect Thursday by Howard County Executive Calvin Ball to establish new rules for awarding procurement dollars to local businesses under the Local Business Initiative, which has grown exponentially in the past three years. In 2018, only 100 firms were certified with the county Office of Procurement and Contract Administration under the Local Business Initiative. Currently, there are 237 certified firms, a 137 percent increase. The executive order strengthens the Local Business Initiative by doing the following: Contracts may be awarded to certified local businesses that submit a competitive sealed bid within 10 percent of a low bid by a non-local firm.Written quotations for informal quotes ($10,001 - $29,999) from local certified businesses should be obtained whenever possible.Certain solicitations will contain an evaluation factor up to 10 percent of the total points for firms certified within the Local Business Initiative.Certain low bid awards for non-capital projects should go to a local business if there is a tie for lowest bid with a non-local business.Howard County prioritizes local businesses when purchasing goods or services under $10,000. "We have had many frank conversations with residents, businesses and the Chamber of Commerce to better understand the challenges and opportunities in the business community. A primary theme is the need to increase opportunities for procurement within the County and the flow of procurement dollars back into our community," Ball said. "As public, private and non-profit entities grapple with how to adapt to their new environment, we're prioritizing our local businesses. Together we can continue to build lasting relationships with our businesses and be better positioned for greater growth in the months and years to come." In addition to increased participation, Howard County has directed more funding towards local businesses every year since 2018. In fiscal year 2019, the county spent $10.5 million with local businesses. In fiscal year 2020, the county spent more than $16 million, a 52 percent increase over the previous year. Since 2018, Howard County has spent 300 percent more with local businesses. Allen and Shariff CEO Zach Shariff said he can "personally vouch and say we have benefited from this program, not only directly from contracts with the county but also from matchmaking the office has done with local prime contractors, and that has really made a difference for us." "A few years ago, all our projects were outside the county, and today a ton of our projects are inside the county," he said.