Thanks to Local Law 129, which was signed by Mayor Bloomberg in 2005, City agencies aim to buy more goods and services from certified Minority- and Women-owned Business Enterprises (M/WBE). That means more opportunities for certified M/WBEs to bid on public contracts, increase their capacity, and effectively contribute to the City's economy.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for certification into the Minority- and Women-owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE) program, a company must be an ongoing independent business owned, operated, and controlled by a U.S. Citizen/s or Permanent Resident Alien/s who are minority group members or women. The ownership of the business must be real and continuing and the business must be active for a period of at least one year. Ownership must show the authority to control the business decisions independently.

• Be in operation for at least one year

• Be at least 51% owned, operated and controlled by a woman or a member of a recognized minority group, including Black, Hispanic, Asian-Pacific, Asian-Indian, Native American or Alaskan Native

• Located within the five boroughs of New York City or in one of 8 surrounding counties*:
       NY: Nassau, Putnam, Rockland, Suffolk, Westchester
       NJ: Bergen, Hudson, Passaic
  *If the company is located outside of New York City, it must have a significant tie to the City's business community (e.g., have conducted business in the City, have derived 25% or more of gross receipts from business conducted in the City, possess a license issued by the City, etc.)
  

How Do I Apply?

Step 1: Get Registered

Any business that wants to do business with the City of New York must register with the Vendor Enrollment Center. Log on to www.nyc.gov/selltonyc to complete the Vendor Enrollment Application. When registering, please limit your NIGP commodity code selections to items that best describe the product or services you sell.

Step 2: Get Certified

Attend 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. Trained certification analysts will walk you through the application process and help you to avoid commonly made mistakes. Call 311 to register and ask for "Small Business Seminars" or email us.

Standard M/WBE Application
Standard M/WBE Re-certification Application

• New York City School Construction Authority
  
• The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
  
• Women President's Educational Organization
  
• New York & New Jersey Minority Supplier Development Council Inc.
  
• New York State Department of Economic Development, Division of Minority & Women's Business Development (DMWBD)

• Meet with a procurement counselor to learn how to navigate City purchasing
  
• Attend a free business development seminar
  
• Network with City agencies to get to know the buyers
  
• Get free one-on-one bidding assistance