RDK
Civil/Environmental
- Jul 19, 2001
- 1,109
I’ve been having some discussions with my MLA (Member of the Legislative Assembly equal to a US State Senator) regarding approaching the government and the administration regarding a small business preference in government purchasing.
Governments have to wear two hats in making their business decisions. The first is a pure business hat where they have to be as efficient and frugal as possible in making their purchases. The second is where they have to act as a government and use their power to advance governmental and social aims, like supporting a targeted sector of the economy. (Businesses are also in a similar situation, buying at the lowest price and still be a good corporate citizen.)
I know that a similar targeted purchasing system exists in the US for small businesses, minority owned businesses, handicapped owned businesses, women owned businesses and the like.
Does anyone have any experiences, both good and bad with these sort of purchasing preferences, what sort of limits are placed on the definition of small businesses, what sort of preferences are given? (California gives a percentage edge in bidding; the US federal government sets aside a defined size rage of contracts for small businesses etc.)
Does any one have any experience lobbying government for the implementation of this sort of purchasing preference?
Rick Kitson MBA P.Eng
Construction Project Management
From conception to completion
Governments have to wear two hats in making their business decisions. The first is a pure business hat where they have to be as efficient and frugal as possible in making their purchases. The second is where they have to act as a government and use their power to advance governmental and social aims, like supporting a targeted sector of the economy. (Businesses are also in a similar situation, buying at the lowest price and still be a good corporate citizen.)
I know that a similar targeted purchasing system exists in the US for small businesses, minority owned businesses, handicapped owned businesses, women owned businesses and the like.
Does anyone have any experiences, both good and bad with these sort of purchasing preferences, what sort of limits are placed on the definition of small businesses, what sort of preferences are given? (California gives a percentage edge in bidding; the US federal government sets aside a defined size rage of contracts for small businesses etc.)
Does any one have any experience lobbying government for the implementation of this sort of purchasing preference?
Rick Kitson MBA P.Eng
Construction Project Management
From conception to completion