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

WSSC Leaders Support Minority Business Enterprise Program at Maryland Legislative Black Caucus Meeting

A Disparity Study will soon be initiated to determine the program’s future

LAUREL, MD (October 1, 2009): Jerry N. Johnson, General Manager of the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) told members of the Maryland Legislative Black Caucus that WSSC is taking steps to “shape and guide the implementation of a Minority Enterprise Program (MBE) that will be aggressive and progressive as well as transparent in meeting the current and future needs of the Commission.”

Johnson said WSSC has issued a Request for Proposal to commission a Disparity Study to update its factual predicate. “We are exploring options to bridge the gap between the time that the currently extended program ends in January and the development of a new MBE program,” he said.

The WSSC MBE Program was initiated in 1978 to promote minority owned business opportunities with the Commission and codified in the Annotated Code of Maryland, Article 29. The program expired in 2006, but was reauthorized in April 2007 with strong support from the Legislative Black Caucus.

Since June 2007, the interim-MBE Program has been extended nine times. Johnson said, “The need to extend our Program is driven by both our Statutes and our desire to develop and implement an MBE Program that addresses the issues that face both the Commission and our communities.”

“The Commission’s commitment to inclusion of Small, Local and Minority Business firms in our contracting opportunities remain firm while we actively pursue the re-authorization of our MBE program,” Johnson said.

In Fiscal 2007 WSSC paid MBE firms approximately $38.9 million, 23 percent of the Commission’s total contract payments of $167.9 million. In Fiscal 2009, MBE firms earned approximately $72 million in business from WSSC, 30 percent of total contract payments of $252 million. As of August 31, WSSC paid MBE firms approximately $13.2 million, of 33 percent of WSSC’s total contract payments of $43.6 million in Fiscal 2010.

“Although we are proud of our Program growth we recognize that so much more needs to be done inside and outside of the Commission to combat discrimination in our communities and in public contracting,” said Johnson. “With your support, we will continue to raise awareness about issues that impact the social economic well-being of our communities.”

Joining Johnson at today's meeting was WSSC Chairman Gene W. Counihan, WSSC Vice Chairman Joyce Starks and Commissioner Antonio L. Jones.

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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.