PILLAR: Core
AGENDA DATE: December 10, 2025
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): Citywide
DEPARTMENT: Office of Procurement Services
PRIORITY: Targeted Economic Growth
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SUBJECT
Title
Authorize (1) adoption of the Dallas Regional and Inclusive Vendor Enterprises Policy; and (2) suspension of the Business Inclusion and Development Policy - Financing: No cost consideration to the City
Body
BACKGROUND
On September 23, 2020, the City Council authorized amendments to the Business Inclusion and Development Plan and renamed it the Business Inclusion and Development (BID) Policy. The BID Policy sought to involve certified Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (M/WBEs) to the greatest extent feasible on the City’s construction, general services, and professional services contracts.
Following the issuance of federal directives-specifically Executive Order 14173-and recent court rulings impacting race- and gender-based contracting programs, implementation of the BID Policy was temporarily suspended on June 26, 2025, in accordance with City Council’s direction to the City Manager to ensure compliance with the new federal requirements.
During this period, staff revised procurement procedures, suspended BID compliance activities, and communicated the changes to vendors. Staff also engaged local businesses, community stakeholders, regional partners, and industry representatives to collaboratively develop a race- and gender-neutral small business development framework.
The resulting Developing Regional & Inclusive Vendor Enterprises (DRIVE) Policy establishes a small business-focused approach designed to expand opportunities, strengthen capacity, and enhance participation across all City contracting categories.
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS)
On June 25, 2025, the City Council authorized a resolution (1) directing the City Manager to review and evaluate city programs and policies for compliance with federal directives; (2) authorizing the City Manager to temporarily pause for operational purposes a city program or policy to ensure compliance with federal directives; and (3) directing the City Manager to timely brief City Council on all temporarily paused city programs or policies and present recommendations for any proposed City Council final action by Resolution No. 25-1081.
The City Council was briefed on the “Grant Task Force Update, Recommendations and Next Steps” on August 6, 2025.
The City Council was briefed on the “Federal Grant Compliance Task Force Updates and Next Steps” on October 1, 2025.
The Economic Development Committee was briefed on the “DRIVE: Developing Regional & Inclusive Vendor Enterprises Framework” on November 3, 2025.
The City Council was briefed on the “DRIVE Policy Overview and Implementation Plan” on December 3, 2025.
FISCAL INFORMATION
No cost consideration to the City.