§ 143‑48.4. Statewideuniform certification of historically underutilized businesses.
(a) In addition to thepowers and duties provided in G.S. 143‑49, the Secretary ofAdministration shall have the power, authority, and duty to:
(1) Develop andadminister a statewide uniform program for: (i) the certification of ahistorically underutilized business, as defined in G.S. 143‑128.4, foruse by State departments, agencies, and institutions, and politicalsubdivisions of the State; and (ii) the creation and maintenance of a databaseof the businesses certified as historically underutilized businesses.
(2) Adopt rules andprocedures for statewide uniform certification of historically underutilizedbusinesses.
(3) Provide for thecertification of all businesses designated as historically underutilizedbusinesses to be used by State departments, agencies, and institutions, andpolitical subdivisions of the State.
(b) The Secretary ofAdministration shall seek input from State departments, agencies, andinstitutions, political subdivisions of the State, and any other entity deemedappropriate to determine the qualifications and criteria for statewide uniformcertification of historically underutilized businesses.
(c) Only businessescertified in accordance with this section shall be considered by Statedepartments, agencies, and institutions, and political subdivisions of theState as historically underutilized businesses for minority businessparticipation purposes under this Chapter. (2007‑392, s. 2; 2009‑243, s. 2.)