Functions of the Department

(a)(1) It shall be the goal and responsibility of the Department to stimulate and foster the economic growth and development of businesses based in the District of Columbia, particularly certified business enterprises, with the intended goals of: (A) Stimulating and expanding the local tax base of the District of Columbia; (B) Increasing the number of viable employment opportunities for District residents; and (C) Extending economic prosperity to local business owners, their employees, and the communities they serve. (2) Through advocacy, business development programs, and technical assistance offerings, the Department shall seek to maximize opportunities for certified business enterprises to participate in: (A) The District’s contracting and procurement process; (B) The District’s economic development activities; and (C) Federal and private sector business opportunities. (b) The Department shall administer part D of this subchapter except for those responsibilities assigned to another agency by this subchapter or through an order of the Mayor. The Director shall establish procedures and guidelines for the implementation of the programs established pursuant to part D of this subchapter. The Mayor shall not reassign a responsibility specifically assigned to the Department by this subchapter. (c) Repealed. (c-1) The Department shall have the authority to issue grants to local businesses (whether or not certified pursuant to this subchapter), community and neighborhood groups or other nonprofit organizations as necessary to effectuate the mission of the Department and the purposes of this subchapter. (c-2)(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Department may enter into written agreements with entities and individuals for sponsorships and advertisements for Art All Night. (2) There shall be no limit to the value of goods, services, or funds that may be received from an entity or individual under an agreement entered into pursuant to this subsection, regardless of whether the entity is located, or the individual resides, within the District. (3) The Chief Financial Officer shall deposit all funds received pursuant to agreements entered into pursuant to this subsection into the Art All Night Fund established by §2-218.13a. (4) The Department shall keep an accounting of all goods, services, and funds received pursuant to agreements entered into pursuant to this subsection and how all funds have been used. (d) Repealed. (e) The Department, in coordination with the agency contracting officer, shall have the authority, in reviewing participation by certified business enterprises, to disregard participation by a certified business enterprise when that certified business enterprise serves no commercially useful function in the performance of a contract.