A resolution requesting the Mayor, the Director of Finance, and the Director of Purchasing to suspend the awarding of any government contract until all of the disparity study recommendations have been fully implemented.

WHEREAS, the results of a disparity study commissioned by the Metropolitan Government and conducted by Griffin & Strong, P.C. were released in December 2004; and

WHEREAS, Griffin & Strong, P.C. reported that significant data indicates disparities in Metropolitan Government purchasing and contracts, as between male owned businesses and minority/women owned businesses, continue to exist; and

WHEREAS, the disparity study results evidenced an underutilization of minority and women owned firms by all of the Metropolitan Government agencies; and

WHEREAS, Griffin & Strong, P.C. recommended that the Metropolitan Government adopt a comprehensive nondiscrimination in purchasing and contracting policy, which, among other items, should require (1) a mandatory covenant of nondiscrimination in each bid or proposal; (2) documented good faith efforts as a part of a bid or proposal showing the techniques the firm has used and will continue to use to encourage the participation of minority and women owned businesses; (3) evidence of compliance or noncompliance with the commitment to nondiscrimination; (4) monitoring by the Metropolitan Government relative to firms' compliance with their nondiscrimination covenants; (5) sanctions and penalties for noncompliance; and (6) the development of financial and technical assistance programs for minority and women owned businesses; and

WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that the Metropolitan Government hold off awarding government contracts until action is taken to implement the recommendations contained in the disparity study report.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

Section 1. That the Metropolitan County Council hereby goes on record as requesting the Mayor, the Director of Finance, and the Director of Purchasing to suspend the awarding of any government contract until all of the disparity study recommendations have been fully implemented.

Section 2. The Metropolitan Clerk is directed to send a certified copy of this Resolution to Mayor Bill Purcell, to David Manning, the Director of Finance, and to Jeff Gossage, the Director of Purchasing.

Section 3. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored by: Jamie Isabel