Common use of Procurement Support Clause in Contracts

Procurement Support. a) Continue to provide and expand efforts, as practicable, with diverse-owned business enterprises,3 community-based organizations, and not-for-profits, with financial and technical support, and expanded educational opportunities, to assist them in developing the capabilities necessary to compete. This may include the provision of training, training grants for wrap- around services such as transportation, stipends for childcare and lodging, software and equipment grant, and other tools as needed to develop the necessary skills and capabilities to compete effectively. Training programs will be designed to introduce underrepresented groups to the job market and when possible lead to gainful employment. b) Provide a liaison support channel, independent of higher-tier implementers that a subcontracting business reports to, so that the business can express concerns or grievances related to the contractual work being performed. c) Continue to periodically review and analyze utility requirements for goods and services with a view toward increasing the availability of work which falls within the performance capabilities 3 Diverse-owned business enterprises are those enterprises outlined in 220 ILCS 5/5-117(b). of small minority business firms. If this work is contracted out then Ameren Illinois should make best efforts to contract directly with a diverse firm for this work. d) AIC will continue to review technical and performance requirements, as well as Requests for Proposals (“RFPs”) and Invitation for Bid (“IFB”) to enable non-traditional bidders, new and/or marginally capitalized businesses, not-for-profits and CBOs to compete effectively when practicable. Ameren shall consult with the Diverse Hiring and Transparent Procurement subcommittee on issues related to these efforts.

Procurement Support. a) Continue to provide and expand efforts, as practicable, with diverse-owned business enterprises,3 enterprises,5 community-based organizations, and not-for-profits, with financial and technical support, and expanded educational opportunities, to assist them in developing the capabilities necessary to compete. This may include the provision of training, training grants for wrap- around services such as transportation, stipends for childcare and lodging, software and equipment grant, and other tools as needed to develop the necessary skills and capabilities to compete effectively. Training programs will be designed to introduce underrepresented groups to the job market and when possible lead to gainful employment. b) Provide a liaison support channel, independent of higher-tier implementers that a subcontracting business reports to, so that the business can express concerns or grievances related to the contractual work being performed. c) Continue to periodically review and analyze utility requirements for goods and services with a view toward increasing the availability of work which falls within the performance capabilities 3 Diverse-owned business enterprises are those enterprises outlined in 220 ILCS 5/5-117(b). of small minority business firms. If this work is contracted out then Ameren Illinois should make best efforts to contract directly with a diverse firm for this work. d) AIC will continue to review technical and performance requirements, as well as Requests for Proposals (“RFPs”) and Invitation for Bid (“IFB”) to enable non-traditional bidders, new and/or marginally capitalized businesses, not-for-profits and CBOs to compete effectively when 5 Diverse-owned business enterprises are those enterprises outlined in 220 ILCS 5/5-117(b). practicable. Ameren shall consult with the Diverse Hiring and Transparent Procurement subcommittee on issues related to these efforts.