U.S. pledges to boost minority contracts

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http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/news/breaking_news/12874462.htm

U.S. pledges to boost minority contracts


WASHINGTON - The Bush administration said Tuesday it would boost the number of contracts given to small and minority-owned businesses for Hurricane Katrina cleanup work, calling the amount now awarded too low.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency said it would set aside an allotment for disadvantaged businesses following its announcement last week that it would rebid millions of dollars in contracts handed out with little or no competition.

The initial $100 million contracts to be rebid were given to four major construction firms - Shaw Group Inc., Bechtel Corp., CH2M Hill Inc. and Fluor Corp. - which had prior relationships with the government.

The Commerce Department, meanwhile, announced a new information center and Web site to help smaller, disadvantaged firms get information about how to competitively bid for Katrina contracts.