Supplier and Workforce Diversity
We support diverse businesses in accessing City contracts. We also monitor workforce diversity on private and public construction projects in Boston.
Contact
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1 City Hall Square
Room 703Boston, MA 02201
About the department
The Department of Supplier and Workforce Diversity includes two offices:
- The Supplier Diversity Program
- The Boston Residents Jobs Policy Office
Together, they provide business and workforce development services. They also monitor City spending to ensure that:
- City contracts and procurements are accessible to small, diverse businesses, and
- construction projects in Boston serve as vehicles for good jobs and career pathways in the building trades for residents, people of color, and women.
The Office of Supplier and Workforce Diversity sits in the Economic Opportunity and Inclusion (EOI) Cabinet. It represents an integral part of the Mayor's mission to create a more economically equitable city. We offer opportunities for all communities to build wealth.
Learn more about the cabinet's vision and priorities for 2022.
Supplier Diversity Program
The Supplier Diversity Program works to ensure that minority- and women-owned small businesses can thrive and grow in Boston through equitable access to City contracts.
We certify businesses as MBEs, WBEs, SBEs, and SLBEs. We also run programs that support diverse businesses in growing their capacity to bid for City and other government contracts. The program was established in 2021 following the completion of the City’s Disparity Study.
What we do
Business Certification
Our mission is to create opportunities for businesses of all kinds in Boston. You can certify your business as:
- a minority business enterprise (MBE)
- a woman business enterprise (WBE)
- a small business enterprise (SBE), and/or
- a small local business enterprise (SLBE).
Get started on your online application today!
Events and Technical Assistance
Our Pathways to City Contracting opportunity fairs help MWBEs learn about upcoming contracting opportunities with the City of Boston, network and engage with various City Departments, and connect with our resource partners.
Check out our upcoming events calendar to find the next Opportunity Fair.
Contracting Opportunity Fund
Every year the City of Boston distributes over at $750,000 in grant funding through the Contracting Opportunity Fund. The fund helps certified Boston-based businesses build capacity to bid on City contracts. Grants of up to $15,000 are awarded annually in the spring.
Policy and Process
Policy and ProcessWe want to help those who have historically been underrepresented in City contracting.
Sheltered Market Program
We designate as available exclusively for minority- and women-owned businesses through the City's Sheltered Market Program.
Resources for Businesses and Buyers
Boston Residents Jobs Policy Office
The Boston Residents Jobs Policy (BRJP) Office works to ensure that Boston residents, people of color, and women in the building trades have access to:
- quality jobs, and
- pathways to skill and career development.
The office monitors the compliance of developers and contractors on private and public development projects in the City of Boston. The compliance is based on employment standards set forth in the Boston Residents Jobs Policy Ordinance of 1983.
What we do
The Ordinance
In 1983, the Mayor approved an Ordinance which set employment standards for Boston residents, people of color, and women construction workers. The Ordinance was extended in 1985 by Executive Order.
On January 25, 2017, the Ordinance was amended, setting the following employment standards for all public development and private development projects over 50,000 square feet.
Boston Employment Commission (BEC)
The work of the Boston Residents Job Policy is overseen by the Boston Employment Commission (BEC). The policy sets goals for employment on City-assisted construction projects.
The commission is made up of seven members selected by the Mayor. Click the link below to can learn more about the commissioners, as well as upcoming and past Commission hearings.
The Jobs Bank
The Jobs Bank connects residents with City of Boston contractors. We work with unions, community groups, and Boston Building Trades to find openings. The Jobs Bank also shows openings for apprenticeships and training programs.
