Local Supplier Development and Entrepreneurship Consultant

The contract seeks a highly qualified Consultant or Subject Matter Expert specializing in Local Supplier Development and Entrepreneurship to support the Equity in Procurement and Contracting Task Force. The primary goal is to expand the pool of qualified local vendors capable of providing goods, services, and small construction or repair projects, thereby promoting economic inclusion and diversity within Kentucky. The solicitation, identified as RFP260071, was posted on September 4, 2025, with a response deadline of September 23, 2025. The contract is valued between $50,000 and $150,000 and is managed by the Office of Equity under the Kentucky State and Local Government Enterprise (SLED) organization. The project emphasizes fostering local vendor participation, ensuring compliance with local procurement policies, and supporting small and minority-owned businesses through targeted outreach, certification, and development strategies. Supporting documents highlight key compliance and certification requirements, including Louisville Metro’s Ban the Box policies that prohibit inquiries into criminal history during initial employment applications unless specific exceptions apply. Vendors are also required to acknowledge receipt of addenda, certify minimum wage standards of at least $10.10 per hour, and confirm their eligibility as local vendors. Additionally, the contract involves tracking and documenting efforts to meet diversity and local vendor participation goals through Good Faith Efforts (GFE) forms, which detail subcontractor information, project divisions, and participation of minority, female, and handicapped business enterprises. These measures aim to ensure transparency, promote equitable contracting practices, and support the development of a robust local supplier ecosystem aligned with Louisville and Kentucky’s diversity and inclusion objectives.