Durham Strategic Plan Dashboard
Prosperity
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Initiative: 4.22 Advance business contracting with underutilized businesses
Innovative & High Performing Organization
Description
City procurement and spending that reflects resident demographics is a key mayoral and council priority. It is policy in the State of NC to encourage and promote the use of small contractors, minority contractors, physically handicapped contractors, and women contractors in State procurement of goods and services. The City facilitates this mission in accordance with Part II, Chapter 18, Article III, of the Equal Business Opportunity Program (EBOP). This article establishes a plan to help ensure that the City's contracting practices provide equal opportunities for underutilized business enterprises (UBE) owned by minorities and women located in the City's contracting marketplace.
Currently, the City's structure from a Finance Department perspective is geared towards compliance with the EBOP ordinance, which is heavily focused on large construction contracts and professional services. Having a Minority and Woman-Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) Coordinator would advance marketing and promoting strategies, and advance potential City contracting opportunities, whether large or small.
Key Measures & Data Analysis
To invest in and build a diverse business economy in the City, continued engagement with UBEs is essential. Membership has grown significantly, from 201 members in December 2023 to a top level of 470 members in June 2024. In March 2026, MWUBE vendors stood at 166 members. As the City continues to refine reporting processes, increase UBE certification support, validate UBE certifications and expand outreach to UBE’s, this number will continue to fluctuate.
Underutilized Business Enterprise (UBE)
Why is it important?
Advancing business contracting with underutilized businesses strengthens the City’s commitment to innovation and high performance by expanding opportunities for Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs). This initiative makes measurable progress by promoting equitable contracting practices and increasing access to City contracts. As a result, underutilized and small local businesses will secure more contracts, enhancing their growth and overall profitability.
What have we been doing?
Staff have modernized the City's MWUBE (Minority and Women-Owned and Underutilized Business Enterprise) program — improving data quality, streamlining reporting, and expanding outreach to underutilized business vendors.
Key activities include:
• Completing the Vendor Polish workstream to improve vendor data quality, growing the active MWUBE vendor pool from 201 to a peak of 470 vendors.
• Automating EBOP reporting to reduce turnaround from 2–3 weeks to 1–2 days — an 80% efficiency improvement.
• Hosting Disparity Study Community Forums on March 18 and 25 with 20 registered vendors, completing the Expand Outreach milestone.
• Advancing HUB Certification, with a new staff hire in February 2026 to lead implementation following delays due to SB257.
What's next?
Work to advance MWUBE participation and business contracting equity will continue through the following activities:
• HUB Certification – Advancing implementation pending resolution of SB257 policy discussions at the CAO/CMO level.
• Expand Outreach – Continuing internal PM trainings and regular outreach to MWUBE vendors.
• Vendor Engagement – Completing final Vendor Polish activities to ensure data accuracy and engagement quality.
City Website Home Page: Durham, NC | Official Website (durhamnc.gov)
Budget Website Page: Budget & Management Services Department | Durham, NC (durhamnc.gov)
Budget and Management Services Department
Office of Performance and Innovation
Strategy and Performance Division