What practices other than goal setting on individual contracts can state agencies and educational institutions use to encourage utilization of WBE firms on state contracts/procurements?

With the passage of I-200, this could be viewed as "preferential treatment;" particularly, if there is evidence that there are certified businesses ready, willing and able to provide the product or service. This practice does not encourage competition - meaning existing firms have little or no incentive to pass on to their customers in the form of lower prices the improvements in product quality and production efficiencies occurring in their industry. Vendors are typically motivated to make their product or service more attractive, in terms of pricing and quality, to a customer when that customer has multiple sources from which to acquire the product or service. Unless the purchasing agent periodically determines that there are no new vendors who can supply a better quality product or service at a lower price, then the public is not assured it is getting the best value for its money. Indeed, when purchasing agents do not solicit new vendors, choosing instead to purchase from the same supplier year after year, all other businesses (including those new businesses owned by non-minority male vendors), have no opportunity to introduce their products and services to the State.