How To

Use a State Contract: Statewide contracts are legal agreements between the DAS Procurement Division and Suppliers awarded as a result of a competitive procurement process for a wide variety of goods and services for use by State agencies and local entities. A complete list of active state contracts can be found by searching the State Contracting Portal (including certified Small Business Enterprise/Minority Business Enterprise (SBE/MBE companies).

Purchase from a State Contract: When a state contract is in place, the Agency is authorized to purchase from the contract and does not need to re-compete their business needs through a separate bid or procurement contract.  Executive branch agencies create their purchase orders against the contract through the state’s Core-CT financial system. DAS also provides contract administration support throughout the life of the contract by assisting agencies with Supplier performance issues.

Find Small Business Enterprise/ Minority Business Enterprise (S/MBE): Search the directory of S/MBE certified businesses.

Establish Agency Small Business Enterprise/Minority Business Enterprise (S/MBE) Annual Goals:  Per Connecticut statute 4a-60g, state agencies must spend 25% of procurable dollars with Connecticut-certified small business enterprises (SBE), and of that expenditure, 25% must be spent with minority business enterprises (MBE). As part of this obligation, agencies must establish these annual set-aside goals and report on progress towards meeting them. The DAS Procurement Division’s Business Outreach Team manages this process in addition to providing technical assistance to agencies on setting goals and reporting on goal progress.   

The reporting process is managed on the State Analytical Reporting System (STARS) with auto-filled, accurate, realtime information, resulting in less time commitment. Agencies that do not have access to STARS will follow a different process. The Business Outreach Team will reach out directly to review this process.

The preliminary report will be available to agencies annually on June 30 and the final report is due annually on September 30. Agencies will work with the Business Outreach Team as needed to complete the final report. 

For details on managing the reporting process, please see the DAS Guide-Establishing Agency S/MBE Goals, or email DAS-DLSupplierDiversity@ct.gov.

Establish Agency Small Business Enterprise/Minority Business Enterprise (S/MBE) Quarterly Reports: Quarterly reports are managed by CHRO on STARS with auto-filled, accurate, realtime information, resulting in less time commitment. Agencies that do not have access to STARS may click here for the required forms.

Agencies with Fiscal Year Quarterly Reporting Due Dates:

• 1st Quarter Jul 1 - Sep 30: Due November 1
• 2nd Quarter Oct 1 - Dec 31: Due February 1
• 3rd Quarter Jan 1 - Mar 31: Due May 1
• 4th Quarter Apr 1 - Jun 30: Due August 1