ABSTRACT
This chapter describes a proven methodology for establishing outreach programs that was employed for nine years by a government prime contractor. It introduces socioeconomic contracting programs including affirmative action, equal opportunity, and green contracting. The equal opportunity techniques are establishment of an incentive awards program, training for contracting professionals, encouragement by managers to use targeted companies, agency participation in a supportive organization, establishment of rapport with targeted companies, provision of direct assistance to targeted companies, promotion of internal networking, and incorporation of program support as a part of employee job responsibility. Equal opportunity programs involve outreach efforts to discover prospective contractors in targeted groups that historically have had less than full access to government contracts. Government contractors that fail to comply with contract provisions requiring implementation of a socioeconomic contracting program risk the consequences of defaulting on or breaching their contract. Government officials and employees may harbor strong feelings against the benefits of certain socioeconomic contracting programs.
