New Rules Aim At Equity In City Contracting

A move to codify fairness rules regarding city and county contracts was made this week. The Rules and Public Policy Committee considered a proposal that aims to eliminate discriminatory practices and outcomes in awarding and conducting city contracts. 

The proposal comes after a disparity study was completed last year, the first in 25 years. 

The Office of Minority and Women Business Development Director Camile Blunt says one new rule calls for a study of diversity every five years.

"We will not go another 20 or 30 years without a disparity study to legitimize and make sure that our program is in good standing," Blunt said. 

Other changes include accountability reviews, penalties for non-compliance and better payments for subcontractors. 

Blunt says there may be penalties for those who don’t hold up their end of the deal.

"We are serious about holding people accountable for their utilization of diverse vendors," Blunt said. 

The study found between 2014-2018, the city awarded less than 15 percent of contracts to minority- or women-owned businesses.

The proposal now goes to the full Indianapolis City-County Council.