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 reflect resident demographics is a key mayoral and council priority. It is the policy of 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. COD facilitates this mission in accordance with Part II, Chapter 18, Article III, the Equal Business Opportunity Program (EBOP). This article establishes a plan to help ensure that the City's contracting practices provide equal opportunities for City contracting for underutilized business enterprises owned by minorities and women, doing business in the City's contracting marketplace.
Currently, the City 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 advancing potential City contracting opportunities, whether large or small.
Key Measures & Data Analysis
In order to invest in and build a diverse business economy in the City, there is a need to further engage with UBEs. The number of City UBE members was 201 in December 2023. As of December 31, 2024, UBE members currently stand at 422. As the City continues to refine reporting processes, increase UBE certification support, 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 furthers an innovative and high performing organization by supporting the award of contracts to Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs). This initiative continues to move the needle by promoting contracting opportunities within the City and promoting equitable contracting initiatives. Underutilized and Small Local Businesses will receive additional contracts which will increase their overall company profitability.
What have we been doing?
Requested a MWBE Coordinator Position – New position requested in October during the FY2025-26 Budget Prelist process.
HUB Certification – Focus is on City of Durham active vendors with no Underutilized Business Enterprise (UBE) certification. Invited UBE vendors that are not classified as HUB, NCDOT, or SBA certified in the City's data system (MUNIS) to attend our HUB Certification Day during MED Week.
EBOP Ordinance 14907 – Revised ordinance was adopted by City Council on April 1, 2024. EBOP Policy adopted in October of 2024 with a July 1, 2024, effective date. This milestone is now complete.
Underutilized Business Enterprises (UBE) vendors - Increased the number of UBE vendors with the City of Durham from 201 to 422 as of December 2024. See performance measure below.
Expand Outreach – Held our largest outreach event of the fiscal year, Durham's 2024 MED Week (October 14-18). All events were a success. Great feedback received from attendees and sponsors. The video recap is provided for those that missed the great events (Durham MED Week 2024 Recap - YouTube). Planning is in process for our Hispanic outreach event on January 28, 2025, at The Institute. The program will feature the Department of Administration - HUB Office, The Women’s Business Center and the City of Durham's Underutilized Business Compliance Division. Focus is assisting Hispanic UBEs with HUB Certification. Spanish translation will be available during the program.
What's next?
Request MWBE Coordinator Position – Complete final Budget Request steps and update the job position description.
Reporting – Continue to refine reporting processes.
Vendor Polish – Continue to verify and update vendor profiles.
HUB Certification – Recruit UBE vendors that are not classified as HUB, NCDOT, or SBA certified in MUNIS to become certified. Continue to assist noncertified vendors towards certification in efforts of achieving additional participation.
Expand Outreach – Establish more outreach activities with goals of increasing City visibility. Train on the process of becoming UBE certified, educate on how to become a vendor with the City and recruit new businesses to our EBOP and Small Local Business Enterprise (SLBE) programs. Host the Hispanic outreach event (Hispanic HUB Certification Day) on January 28, 2025.
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