1. The contractor (bidder) shall make good-faith efforts to encourage participation of MBE/WBES in projects prior to submission of bids in order to be considered as a responsive bidder. A good-faith effort shall include, at a minimum, specific affirmative action steps and complete documentation thereof. The following list of factors to determine good-faith effort is not exclusive or exhaustive: a. Whether the bidder attended any pre-solicitation or prebid meetings, if scheduled by the City; b. Whether the bidder identified and selected specific items of the project for which the contract could be performed by Minority and/or Women Business Enterprises, to provide an opportunity for participation by those enterprises (including, where appropriate, breaking down contracts into economically feasible units to facilitate MBE/WBE participation); c. Whether the bidder advertised, a reasonable time before the date the bids are opened, in one or more daily or minority weekly newspaper or trade association (I.e., N.C. Minority Business Association), trade journal or other media; d. Whether the bidder provided mail notice of his or her interest in bidding on the contract to at least three (3) Minority or Women Business Enterprises (for each identified sub-item of the contract) licensed to provide the specific items of the project a reasonable time prior to the opening of bids; e. Whether the bidder provided interested Minority and Women Business Enterprises with information about the plans, specifications, and requirements for the selected subcontracting or material supply work; f. Whether the bidder contacted the City's MIWBE Office for assistance in identifying minority and women businesses certified with the City and three (3) approved public agencies as referenced in Section IV, D(2)a; g. Whether the bidder negotiated in good-faith with Minority or Women Business Enterprises and did not unjustifiably reject as unsatisfactory bids prepared by Minority or Women Business Enterprises, as defined by the City; h. Whether the bidder, where applicable, advised and made efforts to assist interested Minority and Women Business Enterprises in obtaining bonds, lines of credit, or insurance required by the City or contractor; i. Whether the bidder's efforts to obtain Minority and Women Business Enterprise participation could reasonably be expected by the City to produce a level of participation sufficient to meet the goals of the City.
