Historically Underutilized Businesses Defined

The term "minority person", as defined in North Carolina G.S. 143-128, means an individual who is a citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States and who is Asian American, Black, Female, Hispanic, or Native American. The term "socially and economically disadvantaged individual" is defined in 15 U.S.C. 637.

"Minority businesses" are defined in North Carolina General Statutes 143-128 as businesses in which at least fifty-one percent ownership is held by one or more minority persons or by individuals defined as socially and economically disadvantaged.

Collectively, these firms are referred to as Historically Underutilized Businesses.

For more details on North Carolina G.S. 143 click here:
www.ncga.state.nc.us/statutes/statutes.html.

Senate Bill 914

It’s the law. Senate Bill 914 was enacted by the State Legislature to encourage the use of good faith efforts by all state universities in the recruitment and selection of minority firms to reach a 10% minimum participation level on University construction projects. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is fully committed to this goal.

Our Commitment

As part of the UNC-Chapel Hill commitment to this goal, we have adopted the University of North Carolina Plan To Increase Utilization of Historically Underutilized Businesses In Construction Projects as our plan. We have also incorporated the following two documents into our plan:

• The Guidelines for Recruitment and Selection of Minority Business For Participation In University of North Carolina Construction Contracts for single- prime, separate-prime, construction manager at risk and alternative contracting methods on UNC construction projects over $300,000.
• The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Bid Rules for Informal Contracts, as revised, for projects less than $300,000.

It is the University’s goal to ensure that Historically Underutilized Businesses have equal access and opportunity to participate fully in all aspects of the University construction program; to prohibit discrimination against businesses on the basis of race, color, national origin, and gender; to promote and encourage full and open competition, and to promote equal access to business opportunities among the various firms that do business with the University.

Step 1: Identifying Upcoming Projects

Refer to the UNC Chapel Hill Facilities Planning Website for a listing of Formal and Download projects: www.fpc.unc.edu. Select a project that matches your interest (remember that these project descriptions do not always list every detail about the project; you may need to contact the Designer or Construction Management Firm to determine if your trade category is necessary on the project). If you are responding to a solicitation from another contractor concerning a specific project, use the website to obtain additional information such as project location, pre-bid and pre-construction conference schedules, bid date, etc. Be sure to check the UNC System website for project information concerning jobs throughout the UNC System: www.northcarolina.edu/vendors.

Step 2: Accessing Information on the Project:

Contact the Architect or Design Consultant listed to obtain copies of plans, specifications, addenda, and for information on area plan rooms where these items are available for review. If you are planning to bid the project as a principal or prime contractor, ask the architect about any pre-qualification requirements. If you are bidding as a subcontractor, ask for the list of Pre-Qualified Bidders or Plan Holders. These lists provide contact information for all prime bidders and major subcontractors interested in a specific project. Contact the firms listed to obtain additional bid information and to provide your quote. By talking with estimators from the firms listed, you may be able to obtain take-off quantities for your particular scope of work. If the project is being delivered under the Construction Manager at Risk (CM at Risk) system, contact the CM to obtain bid information and instructions on pre-qualification. If you do not intend to participate as a pre-qualified bidder, ask for a copy of the pre-qualified bidders list. With this list, you can supply subcontractor and supplier quotes to the pre-qualified firms in your trade. When talking to the CM, be sure to inquire about the bid schedule, deadlines, and opportunities that may be available under the CM’s general conditions.

Step 3: Visit the HUB Resource Center at UNC-Chapel Hill

Plans and specifications for current projects are available for review along with a wealth of resources to help you. Call us at (919) 843-3241 or (919) 843-3248. Visit us on the web at www.fpc.unc.edu/HUB.

Step 4: Attend Pre-Bid Conference

During your discussions, make sure that you ask about and record the date and time for the Pre-Bid Conference (also called a Pre-Bid Meeting). A conference is always held for each project a few weeks prior to the actual Bid Opening. The importance of this meeting cannot be overstated. In attendance are the architect, consultants, and representatives from every firm planning to supply a quote on the project. Questions are answered, issues are raised, and clarifications are made at this meeting. A project site visit or walk through is also given. Your participation in the pre-bid conference is MOST IMPORTANT. Representatives from the HUB Resource Center are always in attendance and will gladly meet and escort you to each conference.

Step 5: NEGOTIATE!

No matter how large the project is, it is quite possible that the Prime Contractor or Major Subcontractor has or can create a package within your scope and capabilities. At the pre-bid conference you have the opportunity to sell your services and suggest methods for the inclusion of YOUR COMPANY.

Step 6: Submitting Your Bid

Arrive early on Bid-Day. If you are bidding as a Prime, carefully review your documents prior to sealing the envelope. If you are submitting a quote as a subcontractor, submit your bid to the appropriate contractor(s) as early as possible so they can review with you the scope of work covered by your quote. When you provide your quote, inform each firm of your HUB status and remind them to report this information in their bid documents. This is important. We want to follow your progress through this process.