(A) As used in this section, "minority business enterprise" has the meaning given in division (E)(1) of section 122.71 of the Revised Code.

(B) Any minority business enterprise that desires to bid on a contract under division (C) or (D) of this section shall first apply to the equal employment opportunity coordinator in the department of administrative services for certification as a minority business enterprise. The coordinator shall approve the application of any minority business enterprise that complies with the rules adopted under section 122.71 of the Revised Code. The coordinator shall prepare and maintain a list of minority business enterprises certified under this section.

(C) From the contracts to be awarded for the purchases of equipment, materials, supplies, insurance, and nonprogram services, other than contracts entered into and exempt under sections 307.86 and 5126.05 of the Revised Code, each county board of developmental disabilities shall select a number of contracts with an aggregate value of approximately fifteen per cent of the total estimated value of such contracts to be awarded in the current calendar year. The board shall set aside the contracts so selected for bidding by minority business enterprises only. The bidding procedures for such contracts shall be the same as for all other contracts awarded under section 307.86 of the Revised Code, except that only minority business enterprises certified and listed under division (B) of this section shall be qualified to submit bids. Contracts set aside and awarded under this section shall not include contracts for the purchase of services such as direct and ancillary services, service and support administration, residential services, and family support services.

(D) To the extent that a board is authorized to enter into contracts for construction which are not exempt from the competitive bidding requirements of section 307.86 of the Revised Code, the board shall set aside a number of contracts the aggregate value of which equals approximately five per cent of the aggregate value of construction contracts for the current calendar year for bidding by minority business enterprises only. The bidding procedures for the contracts set aside for minority business enterprises shall be the same as for all other contracts awarded by the board, except that only minority business enterprises certified and listed under division (B) of this section shall be qualified to submit bids.

Any contractor awarded a construction contract pursuant to this section shall make every effort to ensure that certified minority business subcontractors and materials suppliers participate in the contract. In the case of contracts specified in this division, the total value of subcontracts awarded to and materials and services purchased from minority businesses shall be at least ten per cent of the total value of the contract, wherever possible and whenever the contractor awards subcontracts or purchases materials or services.

(E) In the case of contracts set aside under divisions (C) and (D) of this section, if no bid is submitted by a minority business enterprise, the contract shall be awarded according to normal bidding procedures. The board shall from time to time set aside such additional contracts as are necessary to replace those contracts previously set aside on which no minority business enterprise bid.

(F) This section does not preclude any minority business enterprise from bidding on any other contract not specifically set aside for minority business enterprises.

(G) Within ninety days after the beginning of each calendar year, each county board of developmental disabilities shall file a report with the department of developmental disabilities that shows for that calendar year the name of each minority business enterprise with which the board entered into a contract, the value and type of each such contract, the total value of contracts awarded under divisions (C) and (D) of this section, the total value of contracts awarded for the purchases of equipment, materials, supplies, or services, other than contracts entered into under the exemptions of sections 307.86 and 5126.05 of the Revised Code, and the total value of contracts entered into for construction.

(H) Any person who intentionally misrepresents that person as owning, controlling, operating, or participating in a minority business enterprise for the purpose of obtaining contracts or any other benefits under this section shall be guilty of theft by deception as provided for in section 2913.02 of the Revised Code.

Amended by 128th General Assemblych.9, SB 79, §1, eff. 10/6/2009.

Effective Date: 06-06-2001 .