Amaad Hardy, Business Developer for the City of Grand Rapids, recently led an engaging Local First Workshop on how businesses can apply for the Equal Business Opportunity (EBO) Program— a City initiative that promotes equitable access to contracts for small, local, and historically underrepresented businesses by giving them competitive edge on City contracts.
Amaad emphasized that the EBO program is designed to support all local businesses, with a special focus on those in construction, goods & services, & professional services when they follow the City’s administrative guidelines. If your company plans to pursue formal bid contracts with the City of Grand Rapids and participating partners, the EBO is the best path forward. For businesses that want City visibility but are not a fit for MLBE certification, list your company in the City’s Neighborhood Business Guide.
How bid discounts work
EBO participation can qualify your firm for bid discounts during evaluation.
- A percentage preference is applied to eligible bids in construction and goods and services.
- The discount lowers the evaluated price, not the contract price.
- It is used to determine the lowest responsive and responsible bidder and is subject to caps and documentation.
- Example: a $100,000 bid with a 5% discount is evaluated as $95,000 for ranking purposes.
Learn more in the EBO Supplier Diversity Website.
MLBE Certification at a glance
The Micro Local Business Enterprise (MLBE) certification supports small, local firms.
Requirements include:
- Active Michigan business license and located in Kent County
- At least 1 year of Business experience and financial history
- Meeting the NAICS code business size standards (25% or less)
- Registered as a City vendor
- Owners with a personal net worth under $305,000. (Set to increase in the near future)
Certification lasts up to nine years, with two possible five-year renewals.
Details: MLBE Certification | Apply to become an MLBE | MLBE Directory
New: MLBE Bonding Program Pilot
The City just launched the MLBE Bonding Program Pilot to lower barriers for construction firms seeking bonding. The pilot subsidizes the cost of a CPA, legal assistance, and surety insurance premiums. If you are or know a contractor who may be interested in this program, please refer to the MLBE Bonding Program Pilot webpage.
Contact
Questions about the program? His contact: ahardy@grand-rapids.mi.us.
