Chapter 200 — Disadvantaged, Minority,
Women and Emerging Small Business Enterprises
2011 EDITION
CERTAIN DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS
ENTERPRISES
MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS
GENERAL PROVISIONS
200.005 Definitions
for ORS 200.005 to 200.075, 200.160 to 200.200 and 279A.105
200.015 Legislative
findings
200.025 Advocate
for Minority, Women and Emerging Small Business; office; officers and
employees; duties
200.035 When
state agency to notify advocate of solicitations and contract awards
200.045 Standards
for good faith efforts to meet contract requirements; standards for
establishing bidder’s responsibility
CERTIFICATION
200.055 Certification
of disadvantaged, minority, women or emerging small business enterprises; fee;
rules; appeal
200.057 Designation
of certified business as tier one or tier two firm
200.065 Fraudulent
conduct prohibited; sanctions
200.075 Prohibited
conduct; suspension of certification or right to participate in public
contracts
RESPONSIBILITY OF PUBLIC AGENCIES
200.090 Public
agencies to pursue policy of providing opportunities
MENTOR PROGRAM
200.100 Definitions
for ORS 200.100 to 200.120
200.110 Mentor
program; guidelines; eligibility
200.120 Standards
for program participation
EMERGING SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM
200.160 Transportation
Commission duties; report
200.170 Eligibility
for participation
200.180 Emerging
Small Business Account; uses
200.190 Deposit
of one percent of highway construction contract amount
200.200 Security
for performance by emerging small business
GENERAL PROVISIONS
200.005 Definitions for ORS 200.005 to
200.075, 200.160 to 200.200 and 279A.105. As
used in ORS 200.005 to 200.075, 200.160 to 200.200 and 279A.105:
(1)
“Disadvantaged business enterprise” means a small business concern:
(a)
That is at least 51 percent owned by one or more socially and economically
disadvantaged individuals; or
(b)
For which, in the case of a corporation, at least 51 percent of the stock is
owned by one or more socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, and
of which the management and daily business operations are controlled by one or
more of the socially and economically disadvantaged individuals who own it.
(2)
“Economically disadvantaged individual” means a socially disadvantaged
individual whose ability to compete in the free enterprise system has been
impaired due to diminished capital and credit opportunities as compared to
other individuals in the same business area who are not socially disadvantaged
individuals.
(3)
“Emerging small business” means an independent business:
(a)
With its principal place of business located in this state;
(b)
That qualifies as a tier one firm or a tier two firm;
(c)
That is properly licensed and legally registered in this state; and
(d)
That is not a subsidiary or parent company belonging to a group of firms that
are owned or controlled by the same individuals if, in the aggregate, the group
of firms does not qualify as a tier one firm or a tier two firm.
(4)
“Minority individual” means a person who is a citizen or lawful permanent
resident of the United States, who is:
(a)
Black, having origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa;
(b)
Hispanic, having Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Central or South American or
other Spanish culture or origin, regardless of race;
(c)
Asian American, having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East,
Southeast Asia, the Indian subcontinent or the Pacific Islands;
(d)
Portuguese, having Portuguese, Brazilian or other Portuguese culture or origin,
regardless of race;
(e)
American Indian or Alaskan Native, having origins in any of the original
peoples of North America; or
(f)
A member of another group, or another individual who is socially and
economically disadvantaged as determined by the Advocate for Minority, Women
and Emerging Small Business.
(5)
“Minority or women business enterprise” means a small business concern:
(a)
That is at least 51 percent owned by one or more minority individuals or women;
or
(b)
For which, in the case of a corporation, at least 51 percent of the stock is
owned by one or more individuals who are minority individuals or women, and of
which the management and daily business operations are controlled by one or
more of the minority individuals or women who own it.
(6)
“Responsible bidder” means a bidder who, as determined by the Advocate for
Minority, Women and Emerging Small Business, has undertaken both a policy and
practice of actively pursuing participation by minority or women business
enterprises in all bids, both public and private, submitted by the bidder.
(7)
“Small business concern” means a small business as defined by the United States
Small Business Administration in 13 C.F.R. part 121 and in effect on January 1,
2006.
(8)
“Socially disadvantaged individual” means an individual who has been subjected
to racial or ethnic prejudice or cultural bias, without regard to individual
qualities, because of the individual’s identity as a member of a group.
(9)
“Tier one firm” means a business that employs fewer than 20 full-time equivalent
employees and has average annual gross receipts for the last three years that
do not exceed $1.5 million for a business performing construction, as defined
in ORS 446.310, or $600,000 for a business not performing construction.
(10)
“Tier two firm” means a business that employs fewer than 30 full-time
equivalent employees and has average annual gross receipts for the last three
years that do not exceed $3 million for a business performing construction, as
defined in ORS 446.310, or $1 million for a business not performing
construction.
(11)
“Woman” means a person of the female sex who is a citizen or lawful permanent
resident of the United States. [1987 c.893 §2; 1989 c.1043 §1; 1991 c.517 §9;
2001 c.104 §71; 2003 c.794 §213; 2005 c.22 §§150,151; 2005 c.683 §§4,5]
200.015 Legislative findings.
(1) The Legislative Assembly supports the aspirations of minorities, women and
emerging small businesses to enter the mainstream of Oregon social, political
and economic life.
(2)
The Legislative Assembly finds:
(a)
The opportunity for full participation in our free enterprise system by
minorities, women and emerging small businesses is essential;
(b)
Greater economic opportunity for minorities, women and emerging small
businesses is essential;
(c)
Review of public programs to remedy historical patterns of exclusion of and
discrimination against racial or ethnic groups and women is needed;
(d)
Public policies and programs to eliminate the effects of long-term, open and
pervasive exclusion of and discrimination against minorities and women from the
business sector, including increased opportunities to integrate minorities and
women into the full economic life of the community should be reviewed; and
(e)
In cooperation with the private sector, the affected populations, interested
groups and appropriate governmental entities, a program of review should be
established to recommend remedies for the unfortunate effects of social,
political and economic inequity that still exist.
(3)
Women and minorities are rebuttably presumed to be:
(a)
Economically disadvantaged.
(b)
Socially disadvantaged. [1987 c.893 §3; 1989 c.1043 §2]
200.025 Advocate for Minority, Women and
Emerging Small Business; office; officers and employees; duties.
(1) There is created, in the Office of the Governor, the Advocate for Minority,
Women and Emerging Small Business who shall be appointed by the Governor.
(2)
There is created in the Oregon Business Development Department the Office for
Minority, Women and Emerging Small Business, the employees of which shall be
appointed by the Director of the Oregon Business Development Department.
(3)(a)
The director may prescribe the duties and assignments of all officers and
employees of the Office for Minority, Women and Emerging Small Business. The
director shall establish the compensation of all officers and employees of the
office.
(b)
The officers and employees of the office shall be allowed reimbursement for
reasonable and necessary travel and other expenses incurred in the performance
of their duties.
(4)
The Advocate for Minority, Women and Emerging Small Business shall:
(a)
Advise the Governor and the director on activities and initiatives that may
promote the economic integration of minorities, women and emerging small
businesses into the business sector;
(b)
Prepare an annual report to the Governor, director and Legislative Assembly on
the status of minorities and women in the marketplace, accomplishments and
resolutions of issues of concern to minority and women’s enterprises and recommendations
for executive and legislative actions; and
(c)
Carry out other duties that may be assigned by the Governor.
(5)
The Office for Minority, Women and Emerging Small Business shall:
(a)
Provide information to minority, women and emerging small businesses;
(b)
Assist in the development and implementation of an aggressive strategy for this
state, based on research and monitoring, that encourages participation of
minorities, women and emerging small businesses in the state’s economy;
(c)
Make recommendations to the director on the research, development and
implementation of the plan for the involvement of disadvantaged and minority
groups and emerging small businesses in all state programs;
(d)
Maintain an Oregon Opportunity Register and Clearinghouse for information on
public agency and other contract solicitations for professional services,
supplies and services and other bid opportunities, in consultation with the
State Board of Higher Education, the Department of Transportation and other entities;
(e)
Monitor the certification and compliance program for disadvantaged, minority,
women and emerging small businesses under ORS 200.055;
(f)
Investigate complaints and possible abuses of the certification program; and
(g)
Assist in the promotion and coordination of plans, programs and operations of
state government that strengthen minority and women participation in the
economic life of this state. [1987 c.893 §4; 1989 c.1043 §3; 1993 c.500 §7;
1993 c.744 §§189,189a; 2003 c.794 §214; 2005 c.683 §§6,7; 2009 c.830 §135]
200.035 When state agency to notify
advocate of solicitations and contract awards.
(1) For a public contract with a value of $5,000 or more, a state agency shall
provide timely notice and information to the Advocate for Minority, Women and
Emerging Small Business regarding:
(a)
Bid or proposal solicitations; and
(b)
Contract awards.
(2)
Each state agency shall, in consultation with the advocate, establish a process
and timeline for providing the notice and information required by subsection
(1) of this section to the advocate. [1987 c.893 §5; 1997 c.145 §1; 1997 c.802 §10;
2005 c.351 §1]
200.045 Standards for good faith efforts
to meet contract requirements; standards for establishing bidder’s responsibility.
(1) To determine whether a bidder that has failed to meet emerging small
business enterprise contract requirements may be awarded the contract, the
public contracting agency must decide whether the bidder’s efforts to obtain
participation by emerging small business enterprises were good faith efforts to
meet the requirements.
(2)
Performing all of the following actions by a bidder constitutes a rebuttable
presumption that the bidder has made a good faith effort to satisfy the
subcontracting requirement for emerging small businesses. It shall be a
rebuttable presumption that the bidder has not made a good faith effort if the
bidder has not acted consistently with such actions. Efforts that are merely
superficial are not good faith efforts:
(a)
The bidder attended any presolicitation or prebid meetings that were scheduled by the contracting
agency to inform emerging small business enterprises of contracting and
subcontracting or material supply opportunities available on the project;
(b)
The bidder identified and selected specific economically feasible units of the
project to be performed by emerging small business enterprises in order to
increase the likelihood of participation by such enterprises;
(c)
The bidder advertised in general circulation, trade association, minority and
trade oriented, women-focus publications, if any, concerning the subcontracting
or material supply opportunities;
(d)
The bidder provided written notice to a reasonable number of specific emerging
small business enterprises, identified from a list of certified emerging small
business enterprises provided or maintained by the Oregon Business Development
Department for the selected subcontracting or material supply work, in
sufficient time to allow the enterprises to participate effectively;
(e)
The bidder followed up initial solicitations of interest by contacting the
enterprises to determine with certainty whether the enterprises were
interested;
(f)
The bidder provided interested emerging small business enterprises with
adequate information about the plans, specifications and requirements for the
selected subcontracting or material supply work;
(g)
The bidder negotiated in good faith with the enterprises, and did not without
justifiable reason reject as unsatisfactory bids prepared by any emerging small
business enterprises;
(h)
Where applicable, the bidder advised and made efforts to assist interested
emerging small business enterprises in obtaining bonding, lines of credit or
insurance required by the contracting agency or contractor;
(i)
The bidder’s efforts to obtain emerging small business enterprise participation
were reasonably expected to produce a level of participation sufficient to meet
the goals or requirement of the public contracting agency; and
(j)
The bidder used the services of minority community organizations, minority
contractor groups, local, state and federal minority business assistance
offices and other organizations identified by the Advocate for Minority, Women
and Emerging Small Business that provide assistance in the recruitment and
placement of emerging small business enterprises.
(3)
To determine whether a bidder is a responsible bidder, the performance of all
the following actions constitutes a rebuttable presumption that the bidder is
responsible. It shall be a rebuttable presumption that the bidder is not
responsible if the bidder has not acted consistently with the actions described
in this subsection. Efforts that are merely superficial are not good faith
efforts.
(a)
The bidder attended any presolicitation or prebid meetings that were scheduled by the contracting
agency to inform minority or women business enterprises of contracting and
subcontracting or material supply opportunities available on the project;
(b)
The bidder identified and selected specific economically feasible units of the
project to be performed by minority or women business enterprises in order to
increase the likelihood of participation by such enterprises;
(c)
The bidder advertised in general circulation, trade association, minority and
trade oriented, women-focus publications, if any, concerning the subcontracting
or material supply opportunities;
(d)
The bidder provided written notice to a reasonable number of specific minority
or women business enterprises, identified from a list of certified minority or
women business enterprises provided or maintained by the Oregon Business
Development Department for the selected subcontracting or material supply work,
in sufficient time to allow the enterprises to participate effectively;
(e)
The bidder followed up initial solicitations of interest by contacting the
enterprises to determine with certainty whether the enterprises were
interested;
(f)
The bidder provided interested minority or women business enterprises with
adequate information about the plans, specifications and requirements for the
selected subcontracting or material supply work;
(g)
The bidder negotiated in good faith with interested, capable and competitive
minority or women business enterprises submitting bids;
(h)
Where applicable, the bidder advised and made efforts to assist interested
minority or women business enterprises in obtaining bonding, lines of credit or
insurance required by the contracting agency or contractor;
(i)
The bidder’s efforts to obtain minority or women business enterprise
participation were reasonably expected to produce a level of participation
sufficient to meet the goals of the public contracting agency; and
(j)
The bidder used the services of minority community organizations, minority
contractor groups, local, state and federal minority business assistance
offices and other organizations identified by the Advocate for Minority, Women
and Emerging Small Business that provide assistance in the recruitment and
placement of disadvantaged, minority or women business enterprises. [1987 c.893
§7; 1989 c.1043 §8; 1997 c.145 §2; 2003 c.794 §215; 2009 c.830 §136]
CERTIFICATION
200.055 Certification of disadvantaged,
minority, women or emerging small business enterprises; fee; rules; appeal.
(1) Any disadvantaged, minority, women or emerging small business enterprise is
entitled to be certified as such upon application to the Oregon Business
Development Department. If the application is approved by the department, the
department shall certify the applicant as a disadvantaged, minority, women or
emerging small business enterprise. The enterprise shall be considered so
certified by any public contracting agency.
(2)
In consultation with the State Board of Higher Education and the Department of
Transportation, and with the approval of the Advocate for Minority, Women and
Emerging Small Business, the Oregon Business Development Department by rule
shall adopt a uniform standard form and procedure designed to provide complete
documentation that a business enterprise is certified as a disadvantaged,
minority, women or emerging small business enterprise. The department shall
compile and make available upon request a list of certified disadvantaged,
minority, women or emerging small business enterprises.
(3)
Any business enterprise that is refused certification as a disadvantaged
business enterprise or denied recertification as such or whose certification is
revoked may appeal directly to the United States Department of Transportation.
(4)
Any business enterprise that is refused certification as a minority, women or
emerging small business enterprise or has its certification revoked may request
a contested case hearing as provided in ORS chapter 183.
(5)
The Oregon Business Development Department shall be the sole agency authorized
to certify enterprises as disadvantaged, minority, women or emerging small
business enterprises eligible to perform on public contracts in this state.
(6)
The Oregon Business Development Department by rule may establish a fee not to
exceed $100 for a copy of the list of certified disadvantaged, minority, women
and emerging small business enterprises and may assess state agencies for
services under ORS 200.005 to 200.075.
(7)
The Department of Transportation may collect a fee, not to exceed $200, from a
bidder upon bidder prequalifications to cover the
costs of the Oregon Business Development Department in administering ORS
200.005 to 200.075. The Department of Transportation shall transfer such fees
to the credit of the account established under subsection (8) of this section.
(8)
The Oregon Business Development Department shall establish a special account in
which to deposit fees and assessments. The special account is continuously
appropriated to the department to meet its expenses in administering ORS
200.005 to 200.075. [1987 c.893 §8; 1989 c.1043 §4; 1993 c.500 §8; 1997 c.145 §3;
2003 c.794 §216; 2009 c.830 §137]
200.057 Designation of certified business
as tier one or tier two firm. (1) A
business may be certified as an emerging small business by the Oregon Business
Development Department for up to 12 years and may be:
(a)
Designated a tier one firm for up to six years unless the business no longer
qualifies as a tier one firm.
(b)
Designated a tier two firm for up to six years unless the business no longer
qualifies as a tier two firm.
(2)
The department shall adjust annually the amount of the average annual gross
receipts required to qualify as a tier one firm or a tier two firm using the
most recent three-year average of the Portland-Salem Consumer Price Index for
All Urban Consumers for All Items, as reported by the United States Bureau of
Labor Statistics.
(3)
Notwithstanding the time limits established by subsection (1) of this section,
if a tier one firm provides compelling information showing, in the judgment of
the department, that the firm has not been afforded an opportunity to bid on
emerging small business projects during a year of eligibility, the department
shall extend the tier one designation of the firm for one year. A tier one firm
may receive the extension described in this subsection only once. [2005 c.683 §2;
2009 c.830 §138]
Note:
200.057 was added to and made a part of 200.005 to 200.075 by legislative
action but was not added to any other series. See Preface to Oregon Revised
Statutes for further explanation.
200.065 Fraudulent conduct prohibited;
sanctions. (1) It shall be unlawful for any person
fraudulently to obtain or retain or attempt to obtain or retain or to aid
another person fraudulently to obtain or retain or attempt to obtain or retain
certification as a disadvantaged, minority, women or emerging small business
enterprise.
(2)
It shall be unlawful knowingly to make a false claim that any person is
qualified for certification or is certified under ORS 200.055 for the purpose
of gaining a contract or subcontract or other benefit.
(3)
The public contracting agency may withhold payment, suspend or terminate the
contract and may impose on any person a civil penalty not to exceed 10 percent
of the contract or subcontract price or $5,000, whichever is less, for each
violation of subsection (1) or (2) of this section. The penalty shall be paid
to the Office for Minority, Women and Emerging Small Business.
(4)
The Oregon Business Development Department or an affected public contracting
agency shall investigate any complaint that a person has violated subsection
(1) or (2) of this section. In investigating such a complaint, the department
or an affected public contracting agency may require any additional information,
administer oaths, take depositions and issue subpoenas to compel the attendance
of witnesses and the production of books, papers, records, memoranda or other
information necessary to carry out its duties. If any person fails to comply
with any subpoena issued under this subsection or refuses to testify on any
matter on which a person may lawfully be interrogated, the procedure provided
in ORS 183.440 shall be followed to compel compliance.
(5)
An affected public contracting agency or the department disqualify any person
found to have violated subsection (1) or (2) of this section or who admits to
such violation under oath during the course of an investigation from bidding or
participating in any public contract for a period of time specified by the agency
or department, not to exceed three years. Any contracting agency that has
notice of the finding of the fraudulent certification may also disqualify the
person from bidding on or participating in any public contract. [1987 c.893 §9;
1989 c.1043 §5; 1997 c.145 §4; 2009 c.830 §139]
200.075 Prohibited conduct; suspension of
certification or right to participate in public contracts.
(1) Any bidder or contractor or subcontractor on a public contract that
knowingly commits any of the acts listed in paragraphs (a) to (c) of this
subsection shall have its right to bid on or participate in any public contract
suspended. The suspension shall occur only after notice and opportunity for
hearing in such manner as the affected public contracting agency, by rule, shall
provide. The suspension shall be for up to 90 days for a first violation, up to
one year for a second violation and up to five years for a third violation.
Each violation shall remain on record for five years. After five years the
violation shall no longer be considered in reviewing future violations. The
following acts are prohibited:
(a)
Entering into any agreement representing that a disadvantaged, minority, women
or emerging small business enterprise certified pursuant to ORS 200.055 will be
performing work or supplying materials under the public improvement contract
without the knowledge and consent of the disadvantaged, minority, women or
emerging small business enterprise.
(b)
Exercising management and decision making control over the internal operations
of any certified disadvantaged, minority, women or emerging small business
enterprise. As used in this paragraph, “internal operations” does not include
normal scheduling, coordination, execution or performance as a subcontractor on
a public contract.
(c)
Using a disadvantaged, minority, women or emerging small business enterprise to
perform a subcontract or supply material under a public improvement contract to
meet an established goal or requirement when the disadvantaged, minority, women
or emerging small business enterprise does not perform a commercially useful
function in carrying out its responsibilities and obligations under the
contract.
(2)
Any disadvantaged, minority, women or emerging small business enterprise
certified under ORS 200.055 that allows or commits any of the acts listed in
paragraphs (a) to (c) of this subsection shall have its certification suspended
for up to 90 days for the first violation, up to one year for a second
violation and up to five years for a third violation. Each violation shall
remain on record for five years. After five years the violation shall no longer
be considered in reviewing future violations. The following acts are
prohibited:
(a)
Use of the firm’s name to meet a disadvantaged, minority, women or emerging
small business enterprise goal or requirement on a public contract when the
firm does not in fact intend to or does not actually perform the work under the
subcontract or purchase and supply material to the project under a material
supply contract.
(b)
Use of any personnel of an uncertified business to operate, manage or otherwise
control the disadvantaged, minority, women or emerging small business
enterprise.
(c)
Failure to perform a commercially useful function in carrying out its functions
under a subcontract or a material supply contract entered into with a
contractor or subcontractor on a public contract when represented as a
certified business to meet an established goal or requirement.
(3)
For the purpose of this section “commercially useful function” means the actual
performance of a function or service by the business for which there is a
demand in the marketplace, and for which the business receives payment not
disproportionate to the work performed or in conformance with industry
standards. Acting as a broker to provide for the performance of work by others
does not constitute a “commercially useful function.” [1987 c.893 §11; 1989
c.1043 §6; 1991 c.91 §1; 1995 c.452 §21]
200.085 [1987
c.893 §1; repealed by 1989 c.1043 §14]
RESPONSIBILITY OF PUBLIC AGENCIES
200.090 Public agencies to pursue policy of
providing opportunities. Public agencies shall
aggressively pursue a policy of providing opportunities for available contracts
to emerging small businesses and shall cooperate with the Advocate for
Minority, Women and Emerging Small Business to determine the best means by
which to make such opportunities available. [1989 c.1043 §10]
MENTOR PROGRAM
200.100 Definitions for ORS 200.100 to
200.120. As used in ORS 200.100 to 200.120:
(1)
“Contractor” means a person who contracts on predetermined terms to be
responsible for the performance of all or part of a job of preparation or
construction in accordance with established specifications or plans, retaining
control of means, method and manner of accomplishing the desired result, and
who provides:
(a)
Labor at the site; or
(b)
Materials, supplies and labor at the site.
(2)
“Disadvantaged business enterprise” means a small business concern that is at
least 51 percent owned by one or more socially and economically disadvantaged
individuals, or, in the case of any corporation, at least 51 percent of the
stock of which is owned by one or more socially and economically disadvantaged
individuals and whose management and daily business operations are controlled
by one or more of the socially and economically disadvantaged individuals who
own it.
(3)
“Minority or women business enterprise” means a small business concern which is
at least 51 percent owned by one or more minorities or women, or in the case of
a corporation, at least 51 percent of the stock of which is owned by one or
more minorities or women, and whose management and daily business operations
are controlled by one or more of such individuals.
(4)
“Minority individual” means a person who is a citizen or lawful permanent
resident of the United States and who is:
(a)
Black, a person having origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa;
(b)
Hispanic, a person of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Central or South American
or other Spanish culture or origin, regardless of race;
(c)
Asian American, a person having origins in any of the original peoples of the
Far East, Southeast Asia, the Indian subcontinent or the Pacific Islands;
(d)
Portuguese, a person of Portuguese, Brazilian or other Portuguese culture or
origin, regardless of race;
(e)
American Indian or Alaskan Native, a person having origins in any of the
original peoples of North America; or
(f)
A member of another group or another individual that is socially and
economically disadvantaged as determined by the Advocate for Minority, Women
and Emerging Small Business.
(5)
“Subcontractor” means a contractor who has no direct contractual relationship
with the owner. [1991 c.559 §1; 2005 c.22 §152]
200.110 Mentor program; guidelines;
eligibility. (1) The Oregon Business Development
Department may recognize the mentor relationship between contractors and
minority business enterprises or women business enterprises certified under
this chapter. The mentor relationship shall offer the opportunity to foster and
encourage minority and women business enterprises, to expand the capacity of
presently existing minority and women businesses and to offer the opportunity
for less experienced minority and women businesses to gain training and assistance.
(2)
Guidelines for eligibility for the mentor relationship include, but are not
limited to:
(a)
Minority and women business enterprises that meet the certification
requirements of the U.S. Department of Transportation are eligible for
participation in a mentor program. Other minority and women business
enterprises are also eligible if they meet the certification requirements of
this chapter. An agency may grant approval of an enterprise application for
certification concurrent with approval of a mentor arrangement.
(b)
The minority or women business enterprise must be an independent organization,
and the ownership by the individuals must be real. Other employment and
business interests by the individuals are not precluded, if such employment or
business interests do not conflict with the power of the minority or women
owners to direct the management and policies of the minority or women
enterprise to make day-to-day as well as major decisions on matters of
management, policy and operations.
(c)
The mentor program is intended to provide minority and women business
enterprises with advice, assistance and training. The enterprise shall be
responsible for management and operations of the business. The mentor shall not
be responsible for the management of the firm. The mentor and the enterprise
shall remain separate and independent business entities with the exception that
facilities may be provided to the enterprise by the mentor if a separate lease
agreement is maintained by the parties.
(d)
Part ownership in a minority or women business enterprise by a nondisadvantaged party, including a mentor, is permitted if
in compliance with 49 C.F.R. 23. Any property, equipment, supplies or other
services which are sold, rented or donated to the enterprise and any investment
made by nondisadvantaged individuals must be reported
to the agency involved in the mentor program. Documentation shall be provided
by bills of sale, lease agreements or similar documents.
(e)
The mentor relationship may include an arrangement with an independent third
party, such as a bank or accountant, to act as an agent. Third parties may
receive progress payments for work accomplished by the minority or women
business enterprise, made out jointly to the agent and the enterprise, and make
payments, on behalf of the enterprise, to material suppliers or for federal and
state payroll taxes.
(3)
Types of assistance a mentor may provide to the minority or women business
enterprise include:
(a)
Financial assistance;
(b)
Technical and management assistance;
(c)
Equipment rental and use of personnel; and
(d)
Bonding assistance. [1991 c.559 §2; 2009 c.830 §140]
200.120 Standards for program
participation. (1) Mentor relationships may be
documented by a written development plan, approved by the Oregon Business
Development Department in consultation with the Oregon Association of Minority
Entrepreneurs. The development plan shall:
(a)
Clearly set forth the objectives of the parties and their respective roles;
(b)
Be for a specified length of time;
(c)
Determine measurable goals to be reached by the minority or women business
enterprise; and
(d)
Provide that if resources of the mentor are utilized by the minority or women
business enterprise in the performance of contracts or subcontracts for the
mentor or for another contractor, the resources shall be separately identified,
accounted for and compensated directly by the minority or women business
enterprise to the mentor. If the plan provides for extensive use of the mentor’s
resources by the minority or women business enterprise, the arrangement may be
closely monitored.
(2)
The development plan may also include training to be provided by the mentor to
the minority or women business enterprise. Training may include:
(a)
Business planning;
(b)
Record keeping;
(c)
Technical training;
(d)
Capital formation;
(e)
Loan packaging;
(f)
Financial counseling;
(g)
Bonding; and
(h)
Equipment utilization.
(3)
The development plan may be reviewed annually by the Oregon Business
Development Department and the Oregon Association of Minority Entrepreneurs to
review the progress of the mentor program.
(4)
The development plan shall contain a provision that the mentor relationship may
be terminated by mutual consent or upon determination that:
(a)
The mentor firm no longer meets the eligibility standards for certification as
a minority or women business enterprise;
(b)
Either party has failed or is unable to meet its obligations under the
development plan;
(c)
The minority or women business enterprise is not progressing or is not likely
to progress in accordance with the development plan;
(d)
The minority or women business enterprise has reached a satisfactory level of
self-sufficiency to compete without resorting to special treatment provided in
the development plan; or
(e)
The plan or provisions thereof are contrary to the requirements of federal,
state, or local law or regulation, or otherwise contrary to public policy.
(5)
Copies of the development plan shall be retained by all parties to it, and by
the Oregon Business Development Department and the Oregon Association of
Minority Entrepreneurs.
(6)
The development plan may include a provision that the arrangement shall be
dissolved by either party for reason by notifying the Oregon Business Development
Department and the Oregon Association of Minority Entrepreneurs. [1991 c.559 §3;
2009 c.830 §141]
EMERGING SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM
200.150 [1991
c.517 §1; repealed by 2005 c.683 §13]
200.160 Transportation Commission duties;
report. The Oregon Transportation Commission
shall appoint a committee to recommend plans whereby the Department of
Transportation may assist emerging small businesses in overcoming barriers to
participation in state public improvement and maintenance projects. The
committee shall report biennially its recommendation to the commission and to
the appropriate legislative committee. [1991 c.517 §2; 2005 c.683 §8]
200.170 Eligibility for participation.
(1) Subject to subsection (2) of this section, to participate in the emerging
small business program under ORS 200.160 to 200.200, an applicant must:
(a)
Be certified by the Oregon Business Development Department under ORS 200.005 to
200.075 as an emerging small business;
(b)
Show that the applicant’s place of business and the work in which the applicant
seeks to participate are located in this state; and
(c)
Show that the applicant is in compliance with applicable licensing and
registration requirements.
(2)
The Department of Transportation may limit eligibility for participation on a
specific project or contract to emerging small businesses that are located in
or draw a part of their workforce from economically distressed areas or
enterprise zones in this state, as designated by the Oregon Business
Development Department in consultation with the Employment Department.
(3)
An applicant who participates under ORS 200.160 to 200.200 must perform at
least 51 percent of the labor provided by the applicant on a public improvement
or maintenance project using the applicant’s own workforce. [1991 c.517 §§3,6;
2005 c.103 §1; 2005 c.683 §9; 2009 c.830 §142]
200.180 Emerging Small Business Account;
uses. The Emerging Small Business Account is
established within the State Highway Fund. The Emerging Small Business Account
is an investment fund for purposes of ORS 293.701 to 293.820. Moneys in the
account are continuously appropriated to the Department of Transportation for
the purpose of assisting emerging small businesses under the plans recommended
under ORS 200.160. Interest earnings on moneys in the account are credited to
the account. [1991 c.517 §4; 1993 c.744 §189b; 2005 c.683 §10]
200.190 Deposit of one percent of highway
construction contract amount. The
Department of Transportation, when undertaking a public improvement highway
construction contract, shall deposit with the State Treasurer an amount equal
to not more than one percent of the contract award amount. The State Treasurer
shall credit the amount reserved to the Emerging Small Business Account
established in the State Highway Fund. The deposit must be made within 30 days
of the date on which the contract award is made. [1991 c.517 §5; 1993 c.744 §189c;
2005 c.683 §11]
200.200 Security for performance by
emerging small business. (1) When any requirement exists under
ORS 279.835 to 279.855 or ORS chapter 279A, 279B or 279C to provide a surety
bond or other security for the faithful performance of a public contract, an
emerging small business may provide:
(a)
A surety bond issued by a corporate surety qualified by law to issue surety
insurance as defined in ORS 731.186;
(b)
A stipulation or undertaking with one or more individual sureties; or
(c)
Any other form of security specified in the statute requiring the security.
(2)
When the security for the faithful performance of a public contract is in the
form of a stipulation or undertaking with one or more individual sureties, the
individual sureties must be residents of this state. The total net worth of all
the individual sureties on the stipulation or undertaking must be at least
twice the sum specified in the stipulation or undertaking. The public agency
requiring the security shall determine if the sureties possess the
qualifications prescribed by this subsection. [1991 c.517 §8; 2003 c.794 §217]
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