PARTICIPATION BY SMALL BUSINESSES IN STATE PURCHASING.

The comptroller shall foster participation of small businesses in the purchasing activities of the state by:

(1) assisting state agencies in developing procedures to ensure the inclusion of small businesses on state agency master bid lists;

(2) informing small businesses of state purchasing opportunities;

(3) assisting small businesses in complying with the procedures for bidding on state contracts;

(4) working with state and federal agencies and with private organizations in disseminating information on state purchasing procedures and the opportunities for small businesses to participate in state contracts;

(5) assisting state agencies with the development of a comprehensive list of small businesses capable of providing goods or services to the state;

(6) making recommendations to state agencies to simplify contract specifications and terms to increase the opportunities for small business participation;

(7) working with state agencies to establish a statewide policy for increasing the use of small businesses;

(8) assisting state agencies in seeking small businesses capable of supplying goods and services that the agencies require;

(9) assisting state agencies in identifying and advising small businesses on the types of goods and services needed by the agencies; and

(10) assisting state agencies in increasing the volume of business placed with small businesses.