Equity in Public Purchasing and Contracting

Portland Public Schools is committed to ensuring that every project reflects our district’s values of equity, access, and community investment. Our Contracting Equity Program is built around three core arenas: Business Equity, Workforce Equity, and Career Connected Learning. Each arena plays a distinct role in expanding opportunities, strengthening our local economy, and supporting the next generation of skilled workers. 

I. Business Equity

The District will provide professional, supplier, construction and personal service purchasing and contracting opportunities to small businesses that have been historically under-utilized, including businesses owned by people of color, service-disabled veterans and women.

PPS has an 18% Business Equity utilization goal, meaning at least 18% of total contract dollars must be subcontracted to firms certified through:

• OR COBID
• WA OMWBE
• OR/WA/CA DOT DBE

II. Workforce Equity

The district will ensure apprenticeship opportunities in the construction trades and will promote construction employment opportunities, ensuring that public construction projects help build a diverse, skilled workforce. 

GOAL: The district shall ensure 20% apprentices, with aspirational goals of 25% BIPOC and 14% female hours for both apprentice and journey-people workers. 

III. Career Connected Learning

PPS’s Career Connected Learning (CCL) program connects students with real‑world experiences in construction, architecture, engineering, and related fields. These activities help students explore career pathways while strengthening industry partnerships. Firms must provide 2-6 opportunities per contract year.

CCL requirements apply to:

• Prime construction contracts over $1,000,000
• Prime architecture, engineering, and related services contracts over $100,000

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Portland Public Schools (PPS) is committed to addressing disparities and barriers often experienced by women-owned, minority-owned, veteran-owned and emerging small businesses, and we support equity for the community in all of our procurement. PPS aims to increase transparency, accountability, and equity.