.02 Small Business Procurement Programs.

A. Two distinct procurement programs, the small business preference program and the small business reserve program, are structured to assist small businesses in obtaining State contracts.

B. The small business preference program specifically authorizes a procuring unit to apply certain percentage price preferences in favor of certified small businesses when evaluating and awarding bids on those procurements designated for a small business preference.

C. Except as provided in Regulation .06A(3) of this chapter, the small business reserve program applies to all procurements by a procurement unit and restricts award of a contract to certified small businesses only.