NJ S3502

Establishes a sheltered market program allowing State agencies, with Chief Diversity Officer approval, to designate certain public contracts exclusively for certified qualified business enterprises including minority-owned, women-owned, veteran-owned, disabled veterans', small, LGBTQ+-owned, and economically/socially disadvantaged businesses

Chief Diversity Officer must develop criteria for contract designation based on historical underutilization of qualified businesses, requiring at least two eligible certified businesses in the State's registry before a contract can be included in the program

State agencies must publish designated contracts on their websites, conduct outreach and pre-bid workshops for potential bidders, and offer post-award debriefing sessions to all bidders

Contracts awarded under the program cannot exceed three years including renewals, and prime contractors must make good faith efforts to subcontract with qualified business enterprises or risk rejection of future bids

State agencies must submit annual reports to the Chief Diversity Officer detailing contract numbers, dollar values, percentage of awards to qualified businesses, and recommendations for program modifications