The Small Entrepreneurship (SE) Program, also known as the Hudson Initiative, was established in accordance with LRS 39:2001 through 2008 and LRS 51:931. This is a goal-oriented program which encourages state agencies to contract with certified small entrepreneurships (SE's) as well as encouraging contractors who receive contracts from the state to use good faith efforts to utilize certified SE's in the performance of the contract. The Hudson Initiative is a race and gender-neutral Program. The primary intent of this Program is to provide additional opportunities for Louisiana-based small entrepreneurships (SE's) that are certified by the Louisiana Department of Economic Development to participate in contracting and procurement with the State. The comprehensive Rules governing the implementation of the program are located at http://www.doa.louisiana.gov/osp/se/se.htm. This Program is under the auspices of the Division of Administration and all State Departments/Agencies including colleges and universities, community and technical colleges, Facility Planning and Control, Office of Contractual Review, and DOTD are required to participate in this Program. The Office of State Purchasing is facilitating the implementation of the Program.

Certain procurements will be designated as suitable for small entrepreneurship participation. In order to be responsive to the solicitation, the vendor must either be a certified small entrepreneurship or put forth a good faith subcontracting plan to utilize certified SE's in the performance of the contract.

In order to assist in locating those certified SE's who have registered with the Office of State Purchasing, a "quick reference list" has been compiled, which is arranged alphabetically and by commodities. This list is automatically refreshed (updated) each time it is opened. The complete list of certified SE's is maintained by Louisiana Economic Development, which is responsible for certification of businesses, and may be accessed at https://smallbiz.louisianaforward.com/index_2.asp.

Small entrepreneurships that are not currently certified and are interested in participating in procurement and contracting opportunities with the State under the Hudson Initiative are encouraged to visit the Louisiana Economic Development Small Business Certification System at https://smallbiz.louisianaforward.com/index_2.asp for qualification requirements and on-line certification. Businesses are encouraged to register in the LaGov Supplier Portal https://lagoverpvendor.doa.louisiana.gov/irj/portal/anonymous?guest_user=self_reg after certification.