The Department of General Services will do the following:

1. (1) Develop and implement policy initiatives to substantially increase contracting and subcontracting opportunities for minority and women-owned businesses and other disadvantaged businesses in the Commonwealth’s procurement of supplies, services and construction.
2. (2) Centrally manage Commonwealth information, policies, procedures and issues pertaining to minority and women-owned businesses and other disadvantaged businesses.

3. (3) Expand the pool of certified minority and women-owned businesses by:

   1. (i) Repealing the current 8-year graduation requirement for Commonwealth certified minority and women-owned businesses.
   2. (ii) Periodically adjusting the business size limitation for Commonwealth certification.
   3. (iii) Establishing reciprocal certification agreements with other governmental and nongovernmental organizations.
   4. (iv) Establishing an expedited certification process for those minority and women-owned businesses certified by other certifying bodies.
4. (4) Enforce compliance with the minority and women-owned business program by both business and Commonwealth agencies.
5. (5) Make investigations and reports relating to the administration of the minority and women-owned business program and operations of an executive agency as they relate to the program.
6. (6) Request information or assistance as may be necessary, for carrying out the duties and responsibilities provided in this subchapter from any Federal, State or local government agency or unit thereof.