Rensselaer Small Business Procurement Services

Shirley Ann Jackson, PH.D.
President

July 24, 2000
To: Deans, Directors, and Department Chairs
From: Shirley Ann Jackson, Ph.D. President
Re: Rensselaer's Small Business Policy

The attached Small Business Policy expresses Rensselaer's commitment to develop meaningful relationships with the small business community, including small disadvantaged, minority, and women-owned businesses. This policy is consistent with applicable Federal statutes that mandate small businesses shall have every practical opportunity to participate in supplying goods and services to meet our purchased needs. It is widely recognized that the United States needs an economically healthy small business community to help create jobs, provide a better workforce, and bring greater prosperity to the nation.

I am in full agreement with this policy and expect each department to extend its best effort to comply with it. Every department needs to be knowledgeable of the policy and optimize the use of small business concerns.

The day-to-day responsibility for Rensselaer's Small Business Program rests with the Institute's Small Business Liaison Officer (SBLO), assigned to the Procurement and Financial Services Department. Eddie Jackson, Associate Director for Small Business Procurement Services, currently holds this position. Please contact him with any suggestions you may have for making Rensselaer's program a model for other institutions.

Cc: President's Cabinet

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute o 110 8th Street o Troy, New York 12180-3590
(518) 276-6211 o Fax: (518) 276-8702 o e-mail: president@rpi.edu

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Small Business Policy

POLICY

It is the policy of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, consistent with Federal and State law, to take affirmative action to optimize interaction with small business enterprises, particularly small disadvantaged, minority, and women-owned businesses.

PURPOSE

To assure participation by small, small disadvantaged, minority and women-owned business concerns in Rensselaer's programs and its procurement process.

SCOPE

As a campus that supports and encourages diversity, Rensselaer shall actively seek development of relationships with, and provide opportunities for involvement in its procurement process by small, small disadvantaged, minority and women-owned businesses. The opportunity for growth for the benefit of this group is an important part of the development of a strong business community.

Direct responsibility for small, small disadvantaged, minority, and women-owned business sourcing and order placement rests with the Procurement and Financial Services Department. Responsibility for providing support and cooperation rests with all departments requiring goods and services. Department personnel who have the authority to purchase under the Limited Purchase Order and/or the Procurement Card program are integral to implementing the scope of this policy. All department personnel who requisition goods and services have a responsibility to optimize Rensselaer's participation with these business concerns.

DEFINITIONS

Small Business Concern

A Small Business Concern is an independently owned and operated business, not dominant in its field of operation, and (with its affiliates) meets the size standard set by the U.S. Small Business Administration (generally employs 500 people or less).

Small Disadvantaged Business Concern (SDB)

A Small Disadvantaged Business Concern must be owned and controlled by a socially and economically disadvantaged individual. African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian Pacific Americans, and Subcontinent Asian Americans are presumed to qualify. Other individuals can qualify if they show a "preponderance of the evidence" that they are disadvantaged. Individuals must have a net worth of less than $750,000, excluding the value of the business and personal residence. Successful applicants for certification by the Small Business Administration in this category must also meet applicable size standards for small businesses in their industry and display good character.

Minority Business Enterprise (MBE)

A business enterprise which is at least fifty-one percent (51%) owned by, or in the case of a publicly owned business at least fifty-one percent (51%) of the stock of which is owned by citizens or permanent resident aliens who are:

Black persons having origins in any of the Black African racial groups;
Hispanic persons of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Dominican, Cuban, Central or South American decent of either Indian or Hispanic origin, regardless of race;
Asian and Pacific Islander persons having origins in any of the Far East countries, Southeast Asia, the Indian subcontinent or the Pacific Islands; or
Native American or Alaskan Native persons having origins in any of the original peoples of North America.

Woman-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE)

Fifty-one percent (51%) owned by, or in the case of a publicly owned business at least fifty-one percent (51%) of the stock of which is owned by citizens or permanent resident aliens who are women.