Under Title VII of the Civil Rights Acts and Executive Order 10, all bidding for procurement of services, especially by any federally-funded institutions and agencies, must set aside or retain a certain percentage of their purchasing opportunities for recognized minority and women-owned businesses (MWBE) or (M/WBE), as well as small and disadvantaged business (DBE). To help meet this requirement some procurement agencies have developed special outreach programs to help make these opportunities available to MWBE’s and DBE’s. To this end, and to help small and minority-owned businesses take advantage of these opportunities, the NYCHCC has reserved this webpage for announcement of these procurement and bid opportunities.

Opportunity Despite Tough Economic Times
Even in today's tough economic climate there are still real opportunities for minority businesses. There are, however, a few steps that must be taken to be able to compete in this "dash for the cash." Not long ago Black Enterprise magazine featured the article Minority Suppliers Must Adopt Proactive Strategies To Overcome Tough Economic Times which offered a number of worthwhile suggestions to help MWBE and DBE firms get a leg up in the diveristy market. Though written in 2001, the article is even more relevant today and deserves serious consideration. Many of the suggestions and principles outlined in the article have helped a number of businesses break out of the starting gate and get into the race.>

If you are a minority or woman-owned business, or a disadvantaged business, and wish to bid on these posted procurement opportunities, it is suggested that you become certified as a MWBE or DBE. The city offers a free M/WBE Certification Prep Course every 3rd Thursday of the month from 2-4 P.M. or every 4th Wednesday of the month from 6-7:30 P.M. For more information about this program visit: http://www.nyc.gov. You can also find a complete definition of the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) definition of small and minority-owned businesses at: http://www.mwbe.com.