Harry C. Alford, president of the National Black Chamber of Commerce, is calling Sen. Jim Talent (R-Mo.) the 108th Congress Most Valuable Player for his support of a one-stop certification program for minority contracting.
The plan was passed by Congress last month as part of the $388-billion spending bill.
The provision means that once a business is certified as holding minority contractor status on the federal level, it is automatically certified as a minority contractor in state or local programs the receive federal funds.
“It’s going to lift a very significant (financial) burden off of minority contractors around the country who wish to do business with the government,” Talent said.