§ 323-25. Duties of the Department of Economic Inclusion.

The department shall have the following functions and duties associated with the programs set forth in this chapter:

(a)

The department shall act as a resource for small business information;

(b)

Information dissemination and communication with SBEs, SLBEs and ELBEs are integral parts of the city of Cincinnati's SBE, SLBE and ELBE programs. As a part of its outreach program, the department will solicit input from representatives of SBEs, SLBEs, ELBEs, trade associations, and community organizations. The department shall hold quarterly outreach events for SBEs, SLBEs, ELBEs, and owners of small businesses eligible to participate in the SBE, SLBE or ELBE programs; publish a biannual newsletter on small business matters; and produce video programming geared toward small businesses. In cooperation with the city of Cincinnati's purchasing division and other appropriate city departments, the department shall publicly inform SBEs, SLBEs, ELBEs, and owners of eligible small businesses of the city of Cincinnati's procurement forecast in a timely manner to allow such parties to make appropriate planning decisions;

(c)

The department will assist SBEs, SLBEs and ELBEs in overcoming barriers to program participation by including referrals to other agencies offering established, comprehensive, and continuous programs to assist small businesses. Businesses requiring management and technical assistance will be identified through a questionnaire, the department's prior experience with these businesses, and requests by businesses for assistance;

(d)

The department shall maintain for a period of three years records and reports submitted by contractors in accordance with the provisions of this chapter;

(e)

The department, in conjunction with other city agencies, will monitor SBE, SLBE and ELBE participation levels on projects throughout the duration of a contract;

(f)

The department shall investigate alleged violations of this chapter and the SBE, SLBE and ELBE program rules and regulations, and the director shall issue written determinations of the results of such investigations, stating the reasons for the determination and any penalty imposed pursuant to this chapter;

(g)

The department will determine whether a bidder or offeror made good faith efforts, as defined in the SBE, SLBE and ELBE program rules and regulations, to include SBEs, SLBEs or ELBEs as required by the director in its bid or proposal and its work on the contract subject to this chapter;

(h)

Upon request by a potential bidder on city contracts, the department will provide information regarding SBEs, SLBEs and/or ELBEs, which shall include names and contact information;

(i)

The department will notify the appropriate city departments of the director's determination that a contractor has not complied with this chapter or the SBE, SLBE and ELBE program rules and regulations and the result of any appeal from that determination;

(j)

The department will provide ongoing monitoring and oversight functions to determine successful bidders' continuing compliance with this chapter and the SBE, SLBE and ELBE program rules and regulations and their utilization of SBEs, SLBEs and ELBEs.

(Ordained by Ord. No. 307-2015, § 4, eff. Jan. 1, 2016)