The Liberty County Development Authority adopted a minority/woman business-enterprise policy revision earlier this month, but the goals for participation only apply to two service proposals that will go out for bid soon.
The authority in coming months will look for landscape management, auditing services, water-tank maintenance and a fixed-base operator for MidCoast Regional Airport.
The policy establishes participation goals of 10 percent participation for minority-owned businesses and 3 percent for women-owned.
The quotas apply to construction contracts valued at $100,000 or more and professional and vendor contracts with an annual or per-contract amount of $75,000 or more.
The board on Monday approved goals of 15 percent minority participation and 5 percent women participation for its landscape-management proposal, which likely will fall under a two-year contract.
Carmen Cole, the authority’s director of finance and administration, said Strategic Business Solutions consultant DeLisa Espada recommended higher participation goals based on the number of MWBE service providers available within the immediate area and in the Savannah market.
The fixed-base operator for MidCoast Regional Airport contract likely will be a two-year contract with two one-year renewal options.
“DeLisa did look,” Cole said. “She has no people on her list that provide that service. She looked around at the state and some other places and said she doesn’t see anyone that provides it that’s MWBE … it’ll most likely come under good-faith effort regardless of what those goals are set at.”
The LCDA oversees administration of the airport, which is governed jointly by the authority, Liberty County and the city of Hinesville in conjunction with the Army.
The civilian joint-management board currently is on a month-to-month contract with ABS Aviation Services to manage the airport, though the board has discussed since 2011 doing a cost-benefit analysis to determine whether to take management in-house, continue with ABS or seek other providers.
Under the current agreement, MCRA pays $50,000 per year to ABS for management services.
The auditing and tank maintenance contracts do not meet the cost minimums that would require a minority- or woman-owned business to participate, Cole said.
The water-tank maintenance bid will apply to two tanks, one at Tradeport East Business Park and the other at Midway Industrial Park.
Monday’s meeting was delayed a half-hour as present members awaited enough members to constitute a quorum.
In attendance were Chairman Allen Brown, Secretary Brian Smith, Donald Lovette and Jim Thomas. Board member Robert Stokes participated by phone.
The board scheduled its May meeting for 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 28, because the typical monthly meeting would fall on Memorial Day.