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1. What is the M/WBE Program?

The purpose of the M/WBE Program is to:

1. Formally communicate the City’s policy regarding non-discrimination in its procurement practices.
2. Provide to the fullest extent possible, consistent with sound management practices, and state and federal laws, opportunities for participation by firms owned and controlled by minorities and women.

2. What are the M/WBE Program benefits?

M/WBE provides:

• Assistance in completing the Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) certification process required by the State of North Carolina
• Assistance in increasing the City of Winston-Salem’s knowledge of your firm’s product or service and your desire to do business with the city
• Assistance with the resolution of problems and complaints regarding non-compliance with the M/WBE Program
• Electronic notification of bid opportunities and request for proposal (RFP)
• Sessions that are beneficial to minority and woman-owned businesses, including:
• In addition, the program provides workshops and seminars for minority- and women-owned businesses. You do not have to be a certified minority company to do business with the City of Winston-Salem but the certification will improve your chances to participate on city contracts.

3. What type of firm qualifies as a M/WBE?

Per NC General Statue 143-128.2,

(1) The term "minority business" means a business:

a. In which at least fifty-one percent (51%) is owned by one or more
minority persons or socially and economically disadvantaged
individuals, or in the case of a corporation, in which at least fifty-one
percent (51%) of the stock is owned by one or more minority persons
or socially and economically disadvantaged individuals; and

b. Of which the management and daily business operations are
controlled by one or more of the minority persons or socially and
economically disadvantaged individuals who own it.

(2) The term "minority person" means a person who is a citizen or lawful
permanent resident of the United States and who is:

a. Black, that is, a person having origins in any of the black racial
groups in Africa;

b. Hispanic, that is, a person of Spanish or Portuguese culture with
origins in Mexico, South or Central America, or the Caribbean
Islands, regardless of race;

c. Asian American, that is, a person having origins in any of the
original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia and Asia, the Indian
subcontinent, or the Pacific Islands;

d. American Indian, that is, a person having origins in any of the
original Indian peoples of North America; or
G.S. 143-128.2 Page 4

e. Female

4. What business resources are available for M/WBE firms?

There are several resources available. Please visit our community resources page here.

For questions regarding your small business or one you wish to start, email Steven Harrison, Small Business Liaison, or call him at 336-747-7474.

If you need financial assistance to start or expand your business, consider applying for the Small Business Loan Program.

5. How are M/WBEs notified of procurement opportunities with the City of Winston-Salem?

There are several ways to be notified including:

• Weekly notification of upcoming opportunities (construction, goods and services, professional services, department needs, etc.) are emailed to businesses who sign up on the City of Winston-Salem Vendor Listing and elect the option to be notified.
• The Purchasing Department posts all bid opportunities on their page

6. What can M/WBEs do to increase their participation in the bidding process?

These simple steps can increase your opportunities with the City of Winston-Salem.

• Become Historically Underutilized Business (HUB)  certified. Contact the M/WBE staff for assistance.
• Attend pre-bid conferences and bid opening meetings
• Attend seminars, workshops, and outreach sessions sponsored by the City of Winston-Salem
• Establish and maintain contacts and relationships with general contractors for potential business
• Respond promptly to solicitation requests
• Update your company profile on the vendor listing as necessary.

7. How can I locate M/WBE vendors?

The City of Winston Salem maintains an extensive Vendor Listing of M/WBE and non-M/WBE firms that have requested to be a registered vendor. You can also search for certified M/WBE firms through the State of North Carolina Office for Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUB).

8. Am I required to attend pre-bid meetings for a project?

The M/WBE program strongly recommends that you attend all pre-bid meetings as a general contractor, subcontractor, or supplier, even if the pre-bid is non-mandatory.

9. What are the different types of solicitations?

Bids, known as competitively sealed bids or Invitation for Bid (IFB), refers to a contracting method in which sealed bids are publicly solicited, opened, and a contract is awarded based on price to the lowest, responsive, and responsible bidder. Proposals refer to a contracting method in which a solicitation is made through a Request for Proposal (RFP), and between receipt of proposals and award.

10. Where can I locate bid documents for purchasing opportunities?

This information may be available for download on the purchasing page Please contact our office with any additional questions you may have.

11. Where can I find the results of a particular bid?

For all questions related to the results bids, current historical, and service contacts are on the bids page.