Notwithstanding Section 16850, if a contract for professional bond services of an underwriter is to be obtained by competitive bid, the awarding department shall, at a minimum, take all of the following actions:
(a)
Deliver the notice of sale or other notification of intention to the issue the bonds to all minority and women business enterprises that have listed their names with the awarding department for the purpose of this notice and other qualified minority and women business enterprises known to the awarding department.
(b)
State in all notices of sale and other notifications of intention to issue bonds that minority and women business enterprises are encouraged to respond.
(c)
Require all submitting bidders to certify their awareness of the goals of the awarding department in accordance with this chapter.
(d)
Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize any awarding department to discriminate in the solicitation of bids or in the awarding of contracts on the basis of race, color, sex, ethnic origin, or ancestry.