ORS 200.110 [Operative Until 1/1/2024] Mentor Relationship; Guidelines; Eligibility

• Library: Oregon Statutes
• Edition: 2023
• Currency: Current through legislation effective January 1, 2024
• Year: 2023
• Citation: ORS 200.110

(1) The Oregon Business Development Department may recognize [the] a mentor relationship between contractors and [minority business enterprises or women business enterprises certified under this chapter] disadvantaged business enterprises, minority-owned businesses, woman-owned businesses, businesses that service-disabled veterans own and emerging small businesses that are certified under ORS 200.055. In order to qualify for the department's recognition, the mentor relationship [shall] must offer the opportunity for the contractor to foster and encourage [minority and women business enterprises,] disadvantaged business enterprises, minority-owned businesses, woman-owned businesses, businesses that service-disabled veterans own and emerging small businesses to expand the capacity of [presently existing minority and women] existing enterprises and businesses and to offer the opportunity for less experienced [minority and women] enterprises and businesses to gain training and assistance.

(2) [Guidelines for eligibility for] To have the department recognize the mentor relationship described in subsection (1) of this section, a disadvantaged business enterprise, a minority-owned business, a woman-owned business, a business that a service-disabled veteran owns or an emerging small business must follow guidelines that include, but are not limited to:

(a) [Minority and women business enterprises that meet] Meeting the certification requirements of the U.S. Department of Transportation [are eligible for participation in a mentor program. Other minority and women business enterprises are also eligible if they meet the certification requirements of this chapter. An agency may grant approval of an enterprise] or ORS 200.055. The Certification Office for Business Inclusion and Diversity may approve an application for certification under ORS 200.055 at the same time the department approves [concurrent with approval of] a mentor arrangement.

(b) [The minority or women business enterprise must be an independent organization, and the ownership by the individuals must be real.] Remaining independent from the contractor and maintaining a minority individual's, woman's or service-disabled veteran's actual ownership of the enterprise or business. A minority individual, woman or service-disabled veteran who owns the enterprise or business may have other employment and business interests [by the individuals are not precluded, if such] if the employment or business interests do not conflict with the [power of the minority or women owners] minority individual's, woman's or service-disabled veteran's power to direct the management and policies of the [minority or women enterprise] disadvantaged business enterprise, minority-owned business, woman-owned business, business that a service-disabled veteran owns or emerging small business and to make day-to-day [as well as] and major decisions on matters of management, policy and operations. A contractor may provide facilities to the enterprise or business if the contractor and the enterprise or business maintain a separate lease agreement.