
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, February 12, 1991                   TAG: 9102120564
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-3   EDITION: EVENING 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: RICHMOND                                LENGTH: Short

STATE BIDDING TO CHANGE ON BIG CONTRACTS

Under a new Wilder administration guideline never formally announced, firms seeking large state contracts will be turned down if they don't use goods and services from businesses owned by minorities or women.

"This is a way to begin to deal with a problem we haven't got a good handle on," said state Secretary of Administration Ruby Martin.

A copy of a memo from Donald Moore, director of the Division of Purchases and Supply, to state agency heads, agency procurement personnel and agency capital outlay personnel was obtained by the Richmond News Leader.

Moore said the new guidelines will only affect contracts of $100,000 or more. Ninety percent of the state contracts are for $15,000 or less, he said.

Wendell Selden, director of the Department of General Services, said the limit would include many contractors on state building projects. The guidelines are just being implemented, he said, and he is not aware of complaints from contractors.

Moore said his office has not received specific complaints about the program but has received several inquiries. He stressed that the guidelines do not set quotas.

"It is one of several programs we have to get minorities and women to participate in our vendor programs," he said.

by CNB