Bill > H3347

This bill aims to promote fair participation of minority-owned business enterprises (MBEs) and women-owned business enterprises (WBEs) in public construction projects in Massachusetts. The legislation allows awarding authorities for specific state-funded projects with an estimated cost of $5 million or more to establish participation goals for MBEs and WBEs, with a maximum goal of 10 percent per project. Sub-bidders and trade contractors will now be permitted to meet these goals by subcontracting portions of their work to MBE and WBE firms, even for work they would typically be required to perform in-house. Specifically, sub-bidders and trade contractors can subcontract up to 10 percent beyond the set participation goal to qualify. The bill applies to projects managed by several state authorities, including the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance, Massachusetts State College Building Authority, University of Massachusetts Building Authority, and Massachusetts Port Authority. Additionally, the bill establishes a waiver process for contractors who request a reduction or exemption from the participation goals, ensuring some flexibility in implementation while still promoting diversity in public construction projects.

Government Affairs

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H3347