(a) The General Assembly finds that it is the policy of the State of Arkansas to support equal opportunity as well as economic development in every sector.
(b) The General Assembly recognizes that it is the purpose of this subchapter to support to the fullest all possible participation of firms owned and controlled by minority persons and women in state-funded and state-directed public construction programs and in the purchase of goods and services for the state.
(c) All state agencies shall attempt to ensure that the following percentages of the total amount expended in state-funded and state-directed public construction programs and in the purchase of goods and services for the state each fiscal year are paid to minority business enterprises and women-owned business enterprises:
(1)
(A) For minority business enterprises, ten percent (10%).
(B) The ten-percent goal under subdivision (c)(1)(A) of this section shall be allocated as follows:
(i) Two percent (2%) for service-disabled veteran-owned minority business enterprises; and
(ii) Eight percent (8%) for all other minority business enterprises; and
(2) For women-owned business enterprises, five percent (5%).
(d) To facilitate notification of potential respondents to procurement solicitations, a state agency shall publish all state contract solicitations on the website of the Office of State Procurement.