The City of Portland is actively promoting the certification of local businesses through Business Oregon’s Certification Office for Business Inclusion and Diversity (COBID) program. This initiative aims to support businesses owned by minorities, women, and service-disabled veterans, as well as emerging small businesses, by facilitating their access to city contracts and resources.
According to the city’s announcement, COBID-certified businesses can benefit significantly from direct contracting opportunities without the need for competitive solicitation for contracts estimated at $150,000 or less. This streamlined approach allows the city to quickly procure goods and services from COBID firms, thereby fostering economic growth and supporting underrepresented businesses within the community.
“The City of Portland is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion in our contracting processes,” said a city spokesperson. “By encouraging businesses to become COBID-certified, we aim to create pathways for qualified firms to participate in city contracts, ensuring that our local economy reflects the diversity of our community.”
One of the key initiatives supporting COBID-certified contractors is the Prime Contractor Development Program (PCDP), which focuses on increasing prime contracting opportunities for these businesses. The PCDP encompasses projects ranging from $5,000 to $1 million and provides contractors with essential technical assistance in various areas, including sewer and water work, street and park improvements, and building construction.
Through participation in the PCDP, contractors gain valuable educational resources in job costing, bidding, estimating, and overall business development. The program not only benefits COBID-certified contractors but also offers city bureaus access to a diverse pool of contractors that have historically been underutilized in public contracting.
Complementing these efforts, the Regional Workforce Equity Agreement (RWEA) and the Construction Diversity Inclusion Policy (CDIP) have been established to promote equity, inclusion, and local workforce opportunities in the city’s construction contracts. The CDIP seeks to increase participation from underrepresented and underutilized businesses, ensuring that the benefits of public contracting are shared more equitably across the community.
Additionally, the Community Opportunities and Enhancement Program (COEP) plays a vital role in workforce development by providing grants and technical assistance to businesses. COEP aims to increase the number of people of color and women in the trades while removing barriers for construction firms owned by these groups. By addressing these challenges, the program seeks to enhance participation in public contracting for marginalized communities.
As the city moves forward with these initiatives, officials encourage eligible businesses to pursue COBID certification to take advantage of the resources and opportunities available. By fostering a more inclusive contracting environment, Portland aims to strengthen its local economy and ensure that all community members have the chance to thrive.
For more information on becoming COBID-certified and participating in the city’s various programs, businesses are encouraged to reach out to Business Oregon or the City of Portland’s contracting office. The city’s commitment to diversity and inclusion in contracting is expected to yield positive outcomes for both businesses and the broader community in the years to come.