Procurement staff preview master contract list rules, outline small‑business strategy tied to disparity study

The county’s procurement director presented a review of the master contract list and guidelines and briefed supervisors on planned procurement reforms at the March 18 Finance and Government Operations Committee meeting.

Key Hata, procurement director, told the committee the master contract list process expedites renewal of routine service agreements (commonly one‑year agreements with up to four one‑year extensions). For fiscal year 2024–25 the office expects roughly 165 expenditure agreements and some revenue agreements to be processed through the master contract list and board approval flow.

Committee members asked how procurement changes could increase contracting opportunities for small and minority‑owned businesses. Key Hata and Matthew Hata (procurement director) said the county plans to return with a procurement strategic plan in April or May. That plan will include recommendations for a small business enterprise program, initial focus on public works and construction, and steps for outreach and administrative support for community partners. Staff said a request for proposals for a consultant to support an SBE public‑works focus has already been initiated.

Staff noted legal constraints such as Proposition 209 and said the plan will focus on outreach and procurement design rather than race‑based contracting preferences. The committee voted to receive the master contract list report.