MBE/WBE/SBRA - EPA's Fair Share Policy

Environmental Improvement Fund

It is an EPA policy that minority business enterprise (MBE), women business enterprises (WBE) and small businesses in rural areas (SBRA) be afforded the opportunity to participate as contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers in EPA awarded financial assistance programs. This policy applies to all contracts, subcontracts and procurements for supplies, construction, equipment and services under EPA grants and loans. Recipients of grants and loans and their prime contractors shall make good faith efforts to award a fair share of contracts, subcontracts and procurements to MBE/WBE/SBRAs.

In order to demonstrate a good faith effort, the recipient and the prime contractor must, at a minimum, fulfill the following six affirmative steps:

1. Include qualified MBE/WBE/SBRAs on solicitation lists.

2. Assure that potential MBE/WBE/SBRAs are solicited whenever they are potential sources.

3. Divide scope of work (total requirements), when economically feasible, into smaller tasks or quantities to permit maximum participation of MBE/WBE/SBRAs.

4. Establish delivery schedules, where the requirements of the work permit, that will encourage participation by MBE/WBE/SBRAs.

5. Use the services and assistance of the Small Business Administration (exit DNR) and the Minority Business Development Agency (exit DNR) of the U.S. Department of Commerce (exit DNR), as appropriate. (See MBE/WBE/SBRA-Agency Lists for agencies in Wisconsin that provide similar services and assistance.)

6. If the prime contractor awards contracts/procurements, require the subcontractor to take the affirmative steps above.

Back to MBE/WBE/SBRA Main Page