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Ascension is seeking a senior-level Socio-Economic Subject Matter Expert (SME) with deep, practical experience designing, evaluating, and advising on local, small business, and Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) preference programs in public-sector procurement environments.

This role is critical to ensuring that M-NCPPC’s socio-economic business preference programs are legally defensible, data-informed, operationally feasible, and aligned with Maryland procurement law and best practices. The SME will serve as a trusted advisor to the project team, providing expert judgment, validation of analytical findings, and applied insight throughout both phases of the work.

The ideal candidate brings:

• Demonstrated expertise in supplier diversity, small business programs, and MBE frameworks
• Experience translating disparity studies, utilization data, and benchmarking into actionable program structures
• Credibility with procurement professionals, legal reviewers, and community stakeholders
• The ability to operate effectively in an advisory capacity without assuming day-to-day project management responsibility

This position is well-suited for an experienced practitioner who prefers focused, high-impact advisory work and is comfortable operating in a part-time, milestone-driven consulting role.

Summary of the Contractor Role

The Socio-Economic SME provides subject-matter leadership and expert advisory support across the design and implementation planning of M-NCPPC’s two-phase socio-economic business preference program:

• Phase I: Local and Small Business Preference Program
• Phase II: Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Preference Program

Working under the direction of Ascension’s Project Lead and in coordination with the Prime Contractor, the SME will review analyses, validate assumptions, advise on policy and regulatory considerations, and support stakeholder-facing activities where senior expertise is required.

The role is not responsible for drafting all deliverables but is accountable for ensuring technical accuracy, legal defensibility, and alignment with proven socio-economic program models. The SME is expected to anticipate risks, identify gaps, and recommend practical solutions grounded in real-world implementation experience.

The ideal candidate is:

• Highly analytical yet pragmatic
• Comfortable working with incomplete or evolving information
• Confident providing constructive challenge and expert recommendations
• Self-directed and able to manage time effectively with minimal supervision

What This Role Is Expected to Solve, Resolve, or Support

• Reduces program risk by ensuring preference program designs are grounded in precedent and law
• Strengthens defensibility of program recommendations prior to legal and executive review
• Bridges the gap between analytical findings and implementable policy decisions
• Ensures stakeholder engagement outputs reflect best practices and equity principles
• Supports the translation of disparity study findings into compliant, actionable program elements

Tools and Processes Used

• Review of procurement and vendor utilization datasets (summary-level)
• Benchmarking matrices and comparative jurisdictional analyses
• Draft program frameworks, eligibility criteria, and compliance models
• Regulatory redlines and policy concept papers (review and advisory input)
• Virtual collaboration tools (Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, document review platforms)

Position Responsibilities and Anticipated Activities

The SME’s activities are milestone-driven and may include, but are not limited to:

• Advise on the design of Local/Small Business and MBE preference program structures
• Review and validate utilization analyses, benchmarking results, and needs assessments
• Interpret disparity study findings and advise on appropriate remedial program elements
• Evaluate proposed eligibility criteria, thresholds, and compliance mechanisms
• Assess alignment of program concepts with Maryland procurement law and Title 14 requirements
• Provide expert input on certification pathways, reciprocity considerations, and reporting models
• Participate in select internal and external stakeholder sessions as a senior technical resource
• Support executive briefings by reviewing key messages and recommendations
• Identify risks related to implementation, enforcement, or stakeholder acceptance
• Recommend refinements to improve clarity, feasibility, and long-term sustainability