Section 1.592. Responsibilities

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

(1) Develop and implement policy initiatives to substantially increase contracting and subcontracting opportunities for VBEs and SDVBEs.

(2) Establish a certification process for VBEs and SDVBEs and maintain and update publicly accessible lists of VBEs and SDVBEs that are certified by the Department.

(3) Identify and contact VBEs, SDVBEs and veteran organizations to inform them of Commonwealth procurement opportunities and to solicit their participation as contractors, subcontractors, suppliers and professional service providers.

(4) Identify and contact charitable, nonprofit organizations that manufacture products or perform services and employ veterans with disabilities to identify possible contracting opportunities under 62 Pa.C.S. § 520 (relating to supplies manufactured and services performed by persons with disabilities).

(5) Enforce compliance, from participating businesses and other Commonwealth agencies, with this subchapter.

(6) Compile agency-reported information on the participation of VBEs and SDVBEs in Commonwealth contracting opportunities and prepare a written annual report for the Governor. The report must include:

(i) Cumulative information as to agency efforts to increase VBE and SDVBE participation in Commonwealth contracts and subcontracts.

(ii) The actual dollar amount of participation.

(iii) The efforts the Department and the agencies plan to take to improve VBE and SDVBE participation in the succeeding year.

(7) Request information or assistance as may be necessary for carrying out the duties and responsibilities under this subchapter from the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.

(b) Commonwealth agencies shall:

(1) Develop and document an agency strategy to implement the policy in § 1.591 (relating to purpose).

(2) Encourage and facilitate participation by VBEs and SDVBEs in the award of agency procurement contracts.

(3) Encourage agency contractors to subcontract with VBEs and SDVBEs and actively monitor and evaluate their efforts.

(4) Participate in outreach activities and events to increase the interest and participation of VBEs and SDVBEs in procurement contracts.

(5) Solicit VBEs and SDVBEs to compete for contracting opportunities and disseminate information to VBEs and SDVBEs that will assist these businesses in participating in agency procurement contracts.

(6) Track and report to the Department, annually, on agency efforts to meet the purpose of increasing VBE and SDVBE participation.

(7) Include VBEs and SDVBEs in the competition for those agency contracts that are identified for competition by small businesses.

(8) Consider VBE and SDVBE status as a factor in the procurement process when permitted by law.

(c) Agency heads shall:

(1) Ensure that the agency’s commitment to the veteran-owned small business procurement initiative is clearly understood and appropriately implemented and enforced by appropriate agency personnel.

(2) Designate an appropriate employee to supervise the agency’s veteran-owned small business procurement initiative and ensure compliance within the agency.

(3) Furnish to the Department, upon request, related information or assistance.

(4) Participate in outreach activities and events to increase interest and participation by VBEs and SDVBEs in Commonwealth procurements.