Procurement

Arizona Hispanic businesses are left out of Arizona’s 6.5 billion dollar procurement. The governor has implemented policy by Executive Order that any procurement up to $50,000 “should” consider minority vendors. Three bids are required and one bid must come from a minority or woman owned business. A token act rather than a program of substance. 

Of the 6.5 billion dollar annual Arizona procurement, Hispanics in 2004 were awarded a contemptibly small 2.5% or approximately $162,500,000. Parity at 28% (The latest figures of the size of the Hispanic population in Arizona obtained November 2, 2005 from the US Census Bureau in Washington DC) of all Arizona procurement should be directed to Arizona Hispanics businesses. 28% or $1,820,000,000 can only be achieved with approval from Arizona lawmakers who control funds required for completing a disparity study justifying a minority procurement program.

Clearly Arizona's program is lacking. The City of Phoenix also has its inadequacies as well as Maricopa County.

In early January, ALEC will publish its preliminary assessment of the City of Phoenix's small procurement program.

Conversations with city staff have taken place in addition to the City providing written material.

ALEC is preparing a three part presentation that will be provided to a small business meeting in late January that will be presented to the City of Phoenix early next year.

Then ALEC will turn its focus on the State of Arizona and Maricopa County.

At a later date, towns, cities, colleges and universities procurement will be reviewed to determine the level of procurement awarded to Hispanics.

What started as a look at Hispanic participation in procurement has now been expanded to include all ethnic minorities, women and small businesses. All will be invited to participate in forums to evolve procurement recommendations.

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