DI 2021 Annual Inclusion Procurement Report 5.2.22

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18 Strategy: The Office of Diversity & Inclusion provides a more equitable playing field for Minority and women-owned businesses within the City of South Bend. Our objective is to promote equal opportunity for Minority and Women-Owned -owned businesses, including small local businesses, and to encourage utilization and participation of such companies in City contracting spending, providing firms meet the eligibility standards and are permitted to participate in City contracts. The City's policy is to ensure nondiscrimination in the award and administration of City contracts and take affirmative steps to address past discrimination as allowed under City of Richmond v. J.A. Croson Co., 488 U.S. 469 (1989). The Office of Diversity & Inclusion also strives to create a level playing field on which underutilized Minority and Women-Owned business enterprises can compete fairly for City contracts; ensure that only firms that fully meet eligibility standards are to participate as underutilized Minority and Women-Owned business enterprises; help remove barriers to the participation of underutilized Minority and Women-Owned business enterprises in City contracts; assist the development of Minority and Women-Owned -owned businesses and facilitate the growth of business infrastructure to allow firms to compete successfully in the City's Marketplace outside any targeted Minority and Women-Owned business enterprise Program, and ensure that the Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Program is administered in accordance with applicable law, and strive to increase both the availability and utilization of Minority and Women-Owned -owned business. The Office of D&I is looking for innovative ways to promote a mentorship program for local small businesses to partner with established prime contractors. By enhancing business skills and broadening the base of small businesses, we plan to meet the overall goals of this Program. The City of South Bend has proactively developed and used race-and gender-neutral measures as the preferred means to facilitate the participation of all firms in City contracting opportunities.