Local vendors earned nearly half of all contracts awarded by the VIA Board of Trustees in 2015, according to figures from the agency that show VIA continues to support local, minority-owned, Small Business Enterprises (SBE) and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE).
Local businesses received awards for about 90 percent of the VIA contracts for which they competed last year. The board awarded 23 local contracts in 2015, totaling nearly $44 million. The majority of these contracts awarded were for $100,000 or more and consisted of categories including construction projects, parts and equipment, consultant services and software and hardware.
“Local businesses play an integral role in the continued economic strength of our region," VIA President and CEO Jeffrey C. Arndt said. “We are pleased local businesses are successfully partnering with VIA to serve our community and bolster the local economy.”
VIA utilizes a centralized procurement system for the purchase of all goods and services. DBE and SBE participation goals are set by VIA’s office of Diversity & Federal Compliance. Goal-setting is generally based on reasonable subcontracting opportunities for a particular project, as well as availability of certified businesses in a particular category. VIA’s DBE and SBE programs encourage doing business with certified DBEs and SBEs, but do not impose in-state or local geographical preferences in the evaluation of bids or proposals.
VIA actively enhances opportunities for local participation with expanded outreach activities, including targeted outreach to groups with historically low participation in the solicitation process.
