Skip to content
Join our Newsletter

Small, minority-owned, woman-owned, and veteran-owned businesses need better access to state procurement process

The Department of Administrative Services released the Small Business and Supplier Diversity Initiative Report on Oct. 31.
In the Small Business and Supplier Diversity Initiative Report, the state outline strategies to assist small business. Credit: Grice Connect

After hearing from more than 600 of Georgia’s small businesses, the state is issuing a new report that recommends beefing up its resources.

The report from the Department of Administrative Services (DOAS) recommends improving access to Georgia's procurement process and resources for small, minority-owned, woman-owned, and veteran-owned businesses.

“Making the state procurement process easier to access increases the likelihood of small businesses participating and earning state contracts,” said DOAS commissioner Rebecca Sullivan.

“Increased small business participation in state procurement is not only beneficial for the small businesses community, but also for our state government agencies by increasing competition, encouraging innovation, and expanding the customer base of state government,” she continued.

In the Small Business and Supplier Diversity Initiative Report, the state outline strategies to assist small business, including:

  • Identifying bid opportunities
  • Improving readiness to bid
  • Increasing outreach, training, and support
  • Engaging key small business development partners, chambers of commerce, non-profit organizations, and state agencies to better understand the needs

The report was mandated by Executive Order 07.13.22.01. The order also calls for the creation of a new small business and supplier diversity manager.

"As a small business owner for over 35 years, when multiple legislative attempts at improving the state's contracts process did not reach my desk for signature, I knew we had to act to ensure they too would benefit from the growing opportunity in every corner of Georgia,” said Governor Brian Kemp while announcing the release of the report on Oct. 31.

“That's why I instructed DOAS to look into this issue, provide recommendations, and hire a small business and supplier diversity manager that could help shepherd this important work. This report is the latest step in improving those processes, but rest assured, it will not be the last,” Kemp continued.

Earlier this year, the DOAS promoted Julian Bailey to fill the new position. In the new role, Bailey will lead outreach efforts, collaborate with other state agencies and drive awareness.

Additionally, the DOAS plans to collaborate with the University of Georgia’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC). The SBDC is one of eight units that fulfills the university’s public service mission as Georgia’s land-grant and sea-grant institution.

For additional information, click here.