Section 1.832. Responsibilities

(a) The Department of General Services (DGS) shall:

(1) Co-chair and provide staffing support to the Advisory Council on Diversity, Inclusion and Small Business Opportunities (Advisory Council).

(2) Rename its Bureau of Small Business Opportunities as the Bureau of Diversity, Inclusion and Small Business Opportunities (Bureau).

(3) Expand the Bureau’s focus in terms of training and outreach, including the establishment of a Mentor-Prot[eacute]g[eacute] Program to support capacity building and sustainability among participating businesses and organizations.

(4) Expand the Bureau’s programs into new segments of State contracting and revisit existing segments to ensure maximum diversity, inclusion and small business opportunities in all State contracting opportunities.

(5) Implement meaningful performance-based metrics and regular reporting intervals to measure the value and success of all diversity programs. Compliance and inclusion, training and education, and financial and business assistance delivered shall be measured, at minimum, annually.

(6) Work collaboratively with the Advisory Council in establishing a Statewide goal to increase diverse business participation in State contracting opportunities.

(b) The Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) shall:

(1) Co-chair the Advisory Council.

(2) Ensure that eligible businesses are provided with information and training as applicable for loan and grant solicitations, capital assistance programs and other business assistance programs provided by DCED.

(3) Give consideration, when possible, to businesses’ diversity status in the selection and award of grants and other financial assistance opportunities to the extent permitted by the United States Constitution, the Pennsylvania Constitution, and other State and Federal laws.

(c) The Department of Transportation (DOT) shall:

(1) Co-chair the Advisory Council.

(2) Work with the Advisory Council and DGS to ensure that provisions for diversity, inclusion and small business opportunities in DOT contracting opportunities are consistent with Statewide program requirements to the extent permitted by the United States Constitution, the Pennsylvania Constitution, and other State and Federal laws.

(3) Provide outreach and support services to identify and assist disadvantaged business enterprises and small diverse businesses in performing DOT contracts.

(4) Enhance DOT’s disadvantaged business enterprise program to ensure efficiency and timeliness in the processing of certification applications.

(d) The Department of Labor and Industry (L&I) shall:

(1) Co-chair the Advisory Council.

(2) Give consideration, when possible, to employer and employee diversity status in the administration of employment assistance and training programs to the extent permitted by the United States Constitution, the Pennsylvania Constitution, and other State and Federal laws.

(3) Ensure that eligible businesses are provided with information and training as applicable for grant solicitations and other business assistance programs provided by L&I.

(4) Develop and provide statistical and other data on a quarterly basis regarding trends affecting diverse businesses and persons with disabilities for the purposes of informing the Advisory Council and other key stakeholders.

(5) Ensure that the programs and resources of L&I’s Office of Vocational Rehabilitation are available to eligible persons and businesses.

(6) Effectively utilize L&I’s Apprenticeship and Training Council and PA CareerLinks to provide appropriate information or assistance, or both, to businesses and other entities seeking to employ a diverse and inclusive workforce.