Opportunity M/W/DBE

NYCEDC is committed to helping Minority, Women-owned, and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (M/W/DBE) to expand and grow through Opportunity M/W/DBE, a program comprised of services and resources available to both certified and self-identified MWDs.

Opportunity M/W/DBE

Opportunity M/W/DBE encourages participation and inclusion of minority- or women-owned businesses in various NYCEDC projects by:

Support and information to M/W/DBE contractors and consultants on the NYCEDC Vendors List about NYCEDC’s business practices
Marketing and networking through meetings and events
Assisting primary contractors/consultants with the hiring of certified M/W/DBE subcontractors/sub consultants for NYCEDC projects
Increasing ability and knowledge through training workshops and seminars
Assisting self-identified M/W/DBE’s with the NYC Certification application through one-on-one technical assistance and group workshops/seminars

Capacity Building

To further advance its goal of increasing the participation of M/W/DBEs in NYCEDC's construction and development projects, Opportunity M/W/DBE delivers two iniciatives that give access to capital and develop M/W/DBEs in attaining more contracts.

Apply For The NYCEDC Vendors List

As the first step in taking advantage of Opportunity M/W/DBE, NYCEDC encourages all interested M/W/DBE construction and consulting firms, both certified and self-identified, to apply with the NYCEDC Vendors List. This list is a resource that NYCEDC uses to notify companies of potential contracting opportunities in various fields and trades.

By having your company added to our Vendors List, you will receive notification of upcoming contracting opportunities in your field(s) of expertise as they become available.

Getting Certified as M/WBE in NYC

Opportunity M/W/DBE currently accepts businesses primarily owned, operated, and controlled by women and/or minorities that are certified as M/WBE with New York City through New York City Department of Small Business Services (SBS).

However, if a business is certified by another agency, NYCEDC encourages the business to also obtain M/WBE certification with SBS. Opportunity M/W/DBE staff members are available to assist businesses with the NYC certification process.

Benefits Of Certification

The biggest value of M/WBE certification comes from Local Law 129 of 2005 that directs New York City agencies to buy more goods and services from certified M/WBE vendors. As a City-certified M/WBE, businesses can take advantage of the following opportunities:

Increased access to bid on City-funded contracts under $1 million
Exclusive networking opportunities with government buyers
One-on-one procurement counseling and assistance with bid preparation
Free advertising in the Online Directory of Certified Businesses

Eligibility

To be certified as M/WBE by New York City, an eligible applicant business needs to complete the “Minority – and – or Women Owned Business Enterprise Certification Application” and submit the requested supporting documents to the SBS. SBS requires that all interested business meet the following requirements to be certified:

Business is at least 51% owned and operated by a minority and/or a woman;
US Citizen or permanent resident alien; and
Business has been in operation for at least a year.

To learn more about the NYC M/WBE Certification process or to obtain the M/WBE Certification Application, please view the City's Get Certified Information or dial 311 within New York City.

Frequently Asked Questions

We’ve put together a list of common questions and answers regarding M/W/DBE and certification. View the M/W/DBE FAQ.

Contractor's Forms

IFBs

West 125th Street Streetscape Improvements IFB
NYCEDC on behalf of the city of New York is issuing a public bid for construction of West 125th Street.

Opportunity M/W/DBE