M/WBE Participation

HISD uses Suppliers for goods and services. Suppliers are categorized as follows: purchasing, construction, and professional services. HISD's minimum M/WBE goal levels are 20% for all levels of purchasing and construction and 25% for professional services. Different procurement procedures are used for each. At all levels, good-faith efforts to include M/WBE's are required by policy. Suppliers that use M/WBE's will be required to report their participation on a periodic basis.

Purchasing of Goods and Nonprofessional Services
For purchases under $50,000, every effort must be made to achieve equitable distribution of M/WBE participation based on local availability. Suppliers submitting bids above $50,000 must provide documentation demonstrating that the bidder has made good-faith efforts to use M/WBE's or proposes to use its own resources.
Construction Contracts (General and Subcontractors)

For projects under $50,000, every effort must be made to achieve equitable distribution of M/WBE participation based on local availability. Construction contracts of $50,000 or more must contain documentation demonstrating that the bidder has provided equal opportunity for M/WBE participation as subcontractors or suppliers. In addition, successful bidders are required by contract to submit data showing actual M/WBE participation or reasonable efforts to achieve M/WBE participation.

Professional Services
Professional services are selected on the basis of qualifications and demonstrated competence. Proposers are encouraged to use M/WBE's in project related areas. Where the direct use of M/WBE's is not feasible due to industry restrictions, the indirect use of M/WBE's for the purchase of general goods and services to operate the business is acceptable.