City procurement office warns proposed budget would cut staff 86% and slow small‑business contracting efforts

Summary

The Office of Procurement told the Government Operations Committee that a proposed Fiscal Year 2025–26 budget would reduce its team from 19 to 3 and transfer remaining functions to the Bureau of Contract Administration, a change officials said would delay programs that help small and community businesses compete for city contracts.

The Office of Procurement told the Los Angeles City Council Government Operations Committee on May 6 that a proposed 2025–26 budget would reduce its staff from 19 to 3 and transfer core functions to the Bureau of Contract Administration, a move procurement officials warned would delay outreach and the small‑business contracting pilot.

The Office of Procurement’s representative, Leah, procurement official with the Office of Procurement, told the committee the office was created by ordinance in January 2023 to provide citywide procurement policy, technology and training and to make contracting more accessible for smaller firms.

Leah said the office now manages Ramp LA, a regional procurement platform that posts about $10 billion in annual procurement opportunities and has onboarded partners such as LAUSD and Los Angeles County. “Ramp on…

City procurement office warns proposed budget would cut staff 86% and slow small‑business contracting efforts

Summary

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