NASCIO Awards

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

2008 Awards: Digital Government: Government to Business (G to B)

RECIPIENT:
District of Columbia - CBE Resource Center: Promoting the Home Field Advantage

The District of Columbia’s Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) fosters economic growth and the development of Certified Business Enterprises (CBEs).

CBE Certification allows businesses to participate in the District’s “Sheltered Market” contracting program that directs spending to DC-based businesses, resulting in a stronger local economy through job creation and an increase in the city’s tax base.

The District of Columbia requires each of its agencies to award 50% of their expendable budget to purchase services and supplies from certified CBEs. When the District awards a contract with CBE subcontracting requirements, the prime contractor must submit a binding CBE Subcontracting Plan identifying specific CBE subcontractors and the percentage of the overall contract amount they will receive. Prime contractor payments to these CBEs must be tracked to ensure compliance with the plan submitted. Compliance tracking was manual and overall compliance frequently failed to meet the 35% target.

To become a CBE, a company applies and then undergoes a certification process that verifies its ability to provide specific products and/or services based on National Institute of Governmental Purchasing commodity codes. This process typically took longer than 90 days. Companies hand-delivered or mailed applications and DSLBD staff manually entered them into a database. Status inquiries or requests were handled by phone or mail.

DSLBD, working with the Office of Contracts and Procurement, the Office of the City Administrator, and the Office of the Chief Technology Officer collaborated to enhance their website and develop a comprehensive web-based application that:

Allows qualified small, local business owners to submit CBE certification applications online
Allows DSLBD to process those applications via the District’s Intranet
Provides a transparent and efficient CBE participation requirements verification process
Tracks prime contractor payments to subcontractors when a contract is awarded
Provides outreach tools to reach the CBE community with upcoming opportunities, news, training, and events.

The result is the “CBE Online” software and its associated Business Center website delivers an annual cost savings of $246,635. CBE Online launched in March 2006 with major enhancements in 2007 and 2008.

"The Certified Business Enterprise Online Resource Center eliminated paper application processes, thereby enabling government to concentrate on delivering higher value services for emerging companies. Also, this website provides a multitude of resources for small DC businesses to stay informed of, and pursue, tailored contract opportunities. We’re leveraging technology as part of a long term strategy to make sure we have viable businesses, and the right work force being developed to be able to compete and not just within the District, but globally."
....Vivek Kundra, Chief Technology Officer, District of Columbia

FINALISTS:
Click on the title to download program submission.

Hawaii
Hawaii Compliance Express

Oklahoma
Oklahoma State Treasurer's Electronic Trading System

OTHER NOMINATIONS:
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Alabama
The Alabama Trucking Portal: trucking.alabama.gov

California
Business Problem Analysis

Indiana
Indiana's New Business Registration

Maine
Maine Online Professional License Renewal Suite

Montana
Montana Electrical Permits

North Carolina
NCDOT Vendor Prequalification System

Nebraska
Nebraska Board of Accountancy Online Continuing Professional Education

South Carolina
S.C. DNR Point of Sale Licensing System