Virginia Commonwealth University
OP-15: Inclusive and Local Purchasing

VCU's small, woman and minority-owned business program (entitled "SWaM") is established by state statute and covers state agencies, as well as, public, higher education institutions within the Commonwealth of Virginia. Currently, VCU is not permitted statutorily to engage in "local" preference programs. The rule governing VCU's SWaM program can be found here: ATTACHMENT 1 Rules Governing Procurement of Goods, Services, Insurance, and Construction by a Public Institution of Higher Education of the Commonwealth of Virginia Governed by Subchapter 3 of the Restructured Higher Education Financial and Administrative Operations Act, Chapter 4.10 (§ 23-38.88 et seq.) of Title 23 of the Code of Virginia (see https://vascupp.org/rules.pdf for full text) § 9. Discrimination prohibited; participation of small, women-and minority-owned business. A. In the solicitation or awarding of contracts, the Institution shall not discriminate against a bidder or offeror because of race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other basis prohibited by state law relating to discrimination in employment. Whenever solicitations are made, the Institution shall include businesses selected from a list made available by the Department of Minority Business Enterprise. B. The Institution shall establish programs consistent with this section to facilitate the participation of small businesses and businesses owned by women and minorities in procurement transactions. The programs established shall be in writing and shall include cooperation with the Department of Minority Business Enterprise, the United States Small Business Administration, and other public or private agencies. The Institution shall submit annual progress reports on minority business procurement to the Department of Minority Business Enterprise. C. Whenever there exists (i) a rational basis for small business enhancement or (ii) a persuasive analysis that documents a statistically significant disparity between the availability and utilization of women- and minority-owned businesses, the Governor is by law authorized and encouraged to require the Institution to implement appropriate enhancement or remedial measures consistent with prevailing law