Yeah, it is insane. I know someone who works for the state of Virginia. All purchases must be through one of these small businesses. But a lot of them are just a single person with a laptop who just goes online to the actual vendor and orders it and adds a considerable markup. The state organization is not allowed to buy from the vendor directly. I'm not opposed to jobs programs but ostensibly we can find some that actually provide value.
Yep, a lot of shell companies as well basically 'owned' by their parent company.
I think about NYS and Guy Brown, which is a certified MWBE/WOSB but just orders from Staples with added markup. They'll win procurement contracts because of the MWBE/WOSB scoring alone.
Ah but if you propose legislation to change the acquisition process then you're taking economic opportunity away from veteran/disability/minority/[disadvantaged group part of x party's coalition] and therefore are evil.
