The third enactment clause of HB 1404, patroned by the Honorable Delegate Jeion A Ward during the 2024 General Assembly Session, directs the Department of General Services (DGS), in coordination with other interested agencies, to convene a workgroup to review the issues presented by the first enactment clause of that legislation. Delegate Ward also wrote to the Honorable Governor Glenn Youngkin concerning HB 1404, which establishes the Small SWaM Business Procurement Enhancement Program, including a statewide goal of 42 percent of certified SWaM business utilization in all discretionary spending by executive branch agencies and covered institutions in procurement orders, prime contracts and subcontracts. In her letter to the governor, Delegate Ward identified stakeholders, whom the Workgroup staff reached out to about meetings.

Six Workgroup meetings were held at which HB 1404 was discussed. This report summarizes the information presented to the Workgroup by stakeholders and subject matter experts and the Workgroup's findings and recommendations.