WASHINGTON SUBURBAN SANITARY COMMISSION 14501 Sweitzer Lane, Laurel, Maryland 20707-5902. (301) 206-8100. Fax:(301) 206-8186. E-Mail:communications@wsscwater.com

WSSC to Solicit Bids for Disparity Study

Commission to update factual predicate for Minority Business Enterprise Program

LAUREL, MD (September 18, 2009): The Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) will start soliciting bids for a new fact-finding Disparity Study the week of September 21. The Request For Proposal (RFP) for the study will be advertised for four weeks. The Commission would like to update its factual predicate for its Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Program.

A Disparity Study examines whether race and gender-based programs that assist minority and women-owned firms in seeking government procurement opportunities meet constitutional requirements established by the U.S. Supreme Court. To make this determination, a Disparity Study will compare a government agency’s utilization of minority- and women-owned firms in particular industries with availability of such firms. If the Study finds a disparity between utilization and availability, then race- and gender-based programs may be justified.

It is accepted and preferred practice that organizations conduct these studies to update their factual basis for a program every four to five years.

Interested parties must respond to the solicitation via the Centralized Bidder Registration (CBR) system. To register in the CBR system, go to www.wsscwater.com The Commission strongly encourages all qualified firms to respond to the solicitation. A pre-proposal conference will be scheduled for this study in October.

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Established in 1918, today WSSC is the 8th largest water and wastewater utility in the nation, with a network of more than 5,500 miles of fresh water pipeline and nearly 5,400 miles of sewer pipeline. Serving 1.8 million residents in Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties our drinking water has always met or exceeded federal standards.