The Certification and Outreach section implements City Ordinance Numbers 84-1309, 95-336, and 99-893, approved by City Council for the purpose of equalizing the opportunity of minority, women, and disadvantaged business owners to compete for City contracts. In December 1998, Council passed Ordinance 98-1213, which implemented an MWBE graduation program based on the Small Business Administration (SBA) Size Standards, and a program to include businesses owned by persons with disabilities in City contracting (PDBEs).
This section certifies the legitimacy of ownership, management, and control of firms applying for MWBE/DBE and PDBE status. Only firms certified by this section can be used to satisfy the respective goal requirements. This area also maintains a MWDBE / SBE Directory.
Firms wishing to become certified can attend one of the weekly Pre-Certification Workshops offered each Thursday at 2:00 p.m. at the Affirmative Action Office. These workshops address certification requirements and procedures and provide business owners with information on how to do business with the City.
All programs and services geared toward small, minority, and women owned businesses are also available to businesses owned by persons with disabilities (PDBEs), and disadvantaged business enterprises (DBE).
Recruiting efforts are implemented to increase and maintain the number of certified minority owned businesses in the City's MW/DBE program. After the company is certified, the Contract Compliance Officers (CCOs) refer the MW/DBE to prime contractors, suppliers, and City departments who utilize their services and products.
In accordance with Resolution 81-2, the Certification and Outreach Section also works with many community groups. Affirmative Action co-sponsors or sponsors many meetings, conferences, and activities each year, including Government Procurement Connections, the EXPO Business Opportunity Marketplace and Minority Enterprise Development Week (MED Week).
MWBE Goals and Program Information
Pre-Certification Workshop & the Certification Process
Requirements for Certification
Advantages of Certification
MWBE Directory
Criteria for Social and Economic Disadvantage (For DBE certification)
Personal Net Worth Information (For DBE certification)
