1.Purpose/Background

Boulder County is seeking proposals to conduct a complete and legally supportable Minority, Women and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (MWDBE) disparity study to inform and support the need for programs to enhance participation in county contracts by business enterprises. The purpose of the study is to assess research and evaluate any disparities that exist between MWDBEs becoming qualified to apply for and be considered for the awarding of public contracts and overall utilization. The successful Bidder will have experience conducting a MWDBE disparity and related studies.

Boulder County policy states that all purchases and commitments to purchase from budgeted funds shall be made in compliance with the Local Government Budget Law of Colorado. Racial equity also is one of the county’s strategic priorities and our policy states that the county has a moral responsibility to interrupt institutional racism that manifests through racist laws, policies, practices and behaviors. Local procurement reform offers a powerful opportunity to spend wisely and deliver the best service possible, spur economic development in underserved communities, and address longstanding systematic inequities that locked MWDBEs out of opportunities. The county intends to provide the maximum practicable opportunity for increased participation by MWDBEs and to ensure that county contracting and procurement practices do not support discrimination in employment and services when the county procures public works, goods, and services from the private sector.

The objective of the RFP is to provide a complete analysis of the county’s contracting and procurement activities to determine any disparities existing in the utilization of MWDBEs. The data collection, analysis and recommendations generated must relate to the legal framework set forth in the United States Supreme Court decision. The results should be reliable for the reinforcement and reestablishment of standards required for the county’s procurement and contracting processes to address any significant disparities identified. We are seeking findings based on fact and a legal analysis of how recommendations relate to published case law and applicable statutory framework. In addition, with respect to the federal DBE programs, the results and recommendations need to identify any compliance risks related to requirements of federal and state of Colorado funding sources.

2.Written Inquiries

All inquiries regarding this RFP will be submitted via email to the Boulder County Purchasing Office at purchasing@bouldercounty.org on or before 2:00 p.m. May 16, 2023. A response from the county to all inquiries will be posted and sent via email no later than May 19, 2023.

Do not contact any other county department or personnel with questions or for information regarding this solicitation.

3.Submittal Instructions

Submittals are due at the email box only, listed below, for time and date recording on or before 2:00 p.m. Mountain Time on May 31, 2023. Vendors must answer whether line-item pricing information submitted with a bid is confidential or closely held.

Please note that email responses to this solicitation are limited to a maximum of 50MB capacity.

NO ZIP FILES OR LINKS TO EXTERNAL SITES WILL BE ACCEPTED. THIS INCLUDES GOOGLE DOCS AND SIMILAR SITES. ALL SUBMITTALS MUST BE RECEIVED AS AN ATTACHMENT (E.G. PDF, WORD, EXCEL).

Electronic Submittals must be received in the email box listed below. Submittals sent to any other box will NOT be forwarded or accepted. This email box is only accessed on the due date of your questions or proposals. Please use the Delivery Receipt option to verify receipt of your email. It is the sole responsibility of the proposer to ensure their documents are received before the deadline specified above. Boulder County does not accept responsibility under any circumstance for delayed or failed email or mailed submittals.

Email purchasing@bouldercounty.org ; identified as RFP #7468-23 in the subject line.

All RFPs must be received, and time and date recorded by authorized county staff by the above due date and time. Sole responsibility rests with the proposer to see that their RFP response is received on time at the stated location(s). Any responses received after due date and time will be returned to the proposer.

The Board of County Commissioners reserves the right to reject any and all responses, to waive any informalities or irregularities therein, and to accept the proposal that, in the opinion of the Board, is in the best interest of the Board and of the County of Boulder, State of Colorado.

Contractors and their employees, subcontractors, and agents must comply with all federal, state, and local laws, regulations, ordinances, orders, and codes, as well as Boulder County policies, guidelines, and protocols.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): Americans with Disabilities Act: If you need special services provided for under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), please contact the Boulder County ADA Coordinator or Human Resources office at (303) 441-3525 as soon as possible to allow sufficient time for service delivery ahead of applicable due dates.

RFP #7468-23