Virginia Code Title 2.2. Administration of Government § 2.2-1621. Submission of SWaM business procurement plan; designation of SWaM business procurement enhancement liaison

A. Each executive branch agency and covered institution shall submit to the Department on or before September 30, 2024, its SWaM business procurement plan, consistent with the provisions of this article, to include promotion and utilization of certified small, any subcategory of small, small women-owned, small minority-owned, and small service disabled veteran-owned businesses, and employment services organizations. Each executive branch agency and covered institution shall certify to the Department by September 30 of each subsequent year that it has reviewed, and updated as necessary to meet the requirements of this article and any guidance developed by the Department, its SWaM business procurement plan. If the SWaM business procurement plan is updated, it shall be submitted to the Department along with the annual certification.

B. The Department shall review and provide meaningful feedback to executive branch agencies and covered institutions regarding the plan required by subsection A in order to improve and accelerate compliance with the goals provided by this article. Executive branch agencies and covered institutions may revise and resubmit such plan to incorporate such feedback.

C. Any executive branch agency or covered institution that is unable to increase its small SWaM business utilization rate by three percent per year, as required by § 2.2-1619, shall include in the plan required by subsection A (i) an explanation as to why it is unable to comply with such goals and requirements and (ii) achievable goals to increase its small SWaM business utilization rate.

D. Each executive branch agency and covered institution shall designate an existing employee as a SWaM business procurement enhancement liaison whose responsibilities shall be to promote participation in the Small SWaM Business Procurement Enhancement Program by small SWaM businesses and to serve as an advocate for small SWaM businesses that hold active contracts with such executive branch agency or covered institution.