Goals  Certification  List of Certified  Suppliers  Demonstrating Compliance  Waivers  Sheltered Market Program  Statistical Report Summary Snapshots  Advisory Councils  Network of Diverse Businesses in Education

Remedial Program for M/WBE Participation in
Goods, Services and Construction Contracts

Goods and Services Contracts

• Participation in Goods and Services Contracts - Revised March 2007

Construction Contracts

• Participation in Construction Contracts - Adopted December 2011

M/WBE Program

The Board of Education's Minority and Women-owned Business (M/WBE) Program demonstrates the Chicago Public Schools' continued commitment to the success of minority- and women-owned businesses. The Program is governed by the Revised Remedial Plan For Minority And Women Business Enterprise Economic Participation ("M/WBE Program"). All contracts awarded by the Board must comply with the M/WBE Program. The M/WBE Program is administered by the Office of Business Diversity and the Department of Procurement and Contracts.

• Goods and Services Contracts ("M/WBE Program") Policy
• Construction Contracts ("M/WBE Program") Policy

Under the M/WBE Program, a certain percentage of the aggregate dollar value of the contracts awarded by the Board must go to minority or women owned business enterprises. An MBE (Minority Business Enterprise) or a WBE (Woman Business Enterprise) is a local business that is owned and controlled (minimum of 51% ownership) by a member of a minority group or by a woman.

Requirements for the utilization of MBE and WBE firms are included in each bid/proposal solicitation. If you have any questions concerning MBE/WBE certification and/or compliance, please contact the Office of Business Diversity at 773-553-2270 (non-construction) or 773-553-2980 (construction).

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M/WBE Participation Goals

Methods of achieving the plan goals include a combination of any of the following:

1. Being a certified M/WBE prime contractor
2. Engaging in joint ventures with certified M/WBEs
3. Subcontracting with certified M/WBEs
4. Purchasing supplies and/or services directly related to the performance of the contract from certified M/WBEs
5. Purchasing supplies and/or services not directly related to the performance of the contract (upon CPS approval)
6. Business development activities

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Certification

In order to be designated as a minority or women-owned business, you must have an M/WBE certification with a government agency. For information on becoming certified with the City, please read about M/WBE certification at the City's web site.

In addition to obtaining your certification, you must also register as a CPS supplier and obtain a supplier number, as is required of every CPS supplier. When submitting your supplier registration information, you should also submit a copy of your M/WBE certification letter.

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List of Certified Suppliers

A list of M/WBE suppliers certified by the City of Chicago is available on the City's Department of Procurement Services web site.

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Demonstrating Compliance

M/WBE forms must be submitted with bids and proposals to demonstrate compliance with the Revised Remedial Plan. These forms will be included with the solicitation document. M/WBE forms are also available for download.

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Waivers

Although waivers are generally not granted, a waiver of the applicable M/WBE goals may be given if despite good faith efforts, it is impossible or economically unreasonable to meet an MBE or WBE goal.

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Sheltered Market Program

Sheltered Market opportunities are contract opportunities only open to certified M/WBE suppliers or contractors. Sheltered Market opportunities are usually used when it otherwise would be difficult to achieve M/WBE participation in a particular commodity area, as determined by the Chief Purchasing Officer. View Sheltered Market Opportunities.

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Statistical Report Summary Snapshots

The statistical report summary snapshots are summarizations of the MBE/WBE participation in the following categories: View Statistical Report Summary Snapshots.

• Various Trades
  This is an Operation & Maintenance Program which consists of pre-qualified contractors. This report is cumulative based on Work Orders issued through the tenure of the program.
• General Contractors
  General Contractors participate in the Capital Improvement Program. This report reflects commitments and payments including change orders awarded by fiscal year.
• Goods & Services
  The report summarizes commitments made per fiscal year. These contracts include non-construction related contracts.

Due to the size of the files any additional or supporting information can be obtained through the Freedom of Information Act.  Please send all inquires to:

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Advisory Councils

Advisory Councils are available to help M/WBE businesses with the certification process, with preparing bids, explaining the M/WBE requirements, and explaining the rules and regulations governing doing business with sister agencies. Advisory Councils also help non-minority suppliers with locating M/WBE partners and subcontractors.

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