Monday, September 26, 2022
OUTREACH AND EVENTS
FINANCIAL SERVICES CAREER FAIR
UIC Forum,1213 S Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60607
Friday, September 30th| 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Saturday, October 1st | 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
The Financial Services Career Fair will be full of career readiness workshops and opportunities to engage with employers on-site, chat with career coaches, take updated professional headshots, participate in resume reviews, mock interviews, and much more!

Employer Registration Extended until September 15, 2022. Register Now!
FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT SUMMIT
UIC Forum,1213 S Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60607
Saturday, October 1st | 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Features a fireside chat with Daymond John of ABC's Shark Tank and the first NBC Apprentice, Bill Rancic

Saturday, October 1, 2022
Fireside Chat kicks off at 1:00 pm CST
Located on the Main Stage
Meet Bill Rancic and Meet Daymond John!
Chicago Transit Authority Blue Line Congress Racine Pre - Proposal Meeting and Meet & Greet
JLM Center 2622 W Jackson, Chicago, IL
October 4, 2022 | In-Person Registration: 12:45 pm
Pre-bid will start promptly at 1:00 pm
The CTA is pleased to announce our in-person Congress Racine pre-proposal meeting broadcast and meet & greet taking place on Tuesday October 4, 2022 from 1:00 pm -3:00 pm. Join us at the JLM Center located at 2622 W Jackson Chicago IL 60612 to learn about project details and meet potential prime contractors to partner with on upcoming opportunities! Please note: Masks are strongly encouraged. For further questions, please reach out to diversity@transitchicago.com.
2022 INSURANCE INDUSTRY BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP SYMPOSIUM
Raising Your Insurance Industry IQ to be Partner Ready
October 12-13, 2022 | Virtual Event
Day 1 | Oct 12 | 8:30 am to 12:00 pm
Day 2 | Oct 13 | 8:30 am to 11:00 am
Join us virtually for two half-day sessions of intentional engagement and exposure with insurance industry leaders and professionals. Featuring keynote speakers, panelists, 2-way engagement workshops, business matchmaking, and critical industry insights to empower you for future growth opportunities.

Designed to build supplier insight into Insurance Industry trends including Regulatory, Technology and Innovation. This event will focus on elements which are key to gaining business opportunities by understanding trends and requirements related to your solutions. Hear from and meet with leading Insurance companies.
2022 BUSINESS EXPO
"Make the Connection!™ Build Your Future"
October 20, 2022 | 7:30 AM - 6:00 PM
The 2022 Business EXPO "Make the Connection!™ Build Your Future" will have:
  • Hundreds of guests who'll have an opportunity to network and hear from high-ranked leaders in the business community and elected officials at the opening breakfast. 
  • An exhibit floor featuring dozens of businesses showcasing their products and services.
  • Excellent networking opportunities with business professionals from all sectors.
  • Workshops at no cost.
  • Procurement one-on-one matching sessions
DPS VIRTUAL WORKSHOPS
We are now offering our workshops virtually. View the full workshop schedule at www.chicago.gov/dpsevents. To request an accommodation, please contact DPS Public Affairs at dps.accommodations@cityofchicago.org.
WE ARE FAMILY! DOING BUSINESS WITH SISTER AGENCIES (CPD & CTA)
October 5, 2022 | 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Guest Speakers from CPD & CTA
Interested in doing business beyond the City of Chicago but unsure where to start? This workshop welcomes guest presentations that outline the roles and responsibilities of how to do business with the City of Chicago’s six sister agencies: Chicago Public Schools (CPS), City Colleges of Chicago (CCC), Public Building Commission (PBC), Chicago Housing Authority (CHA), Chicago Park District (CPD) and Chicago Transit Authority (CTA).
HOW TO BECOME CERTIFIED
October 12, 2022 | 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
DPS is the certifying agency for the following certifications: Minority-Owned Business Enterprise (MBE), Women-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE), Veteran-Owned Business (VBE), Business Enterprise for People with Disabilities (BEPD), Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE). This workshop will provide detailed information on who is qualified to be a Chicago-certified firm. Learn what documents are needed when you submit an application and how to avoid the most common mistakes in the certification process. Subject matter experts will be on-hand to answer all your questions about common certification topics.
PROCUREMENT FUNDAMENTALS: DOING BUSINESS WITH THE CITY
October 13, 2022 | 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Do you have questions about becoming a successful bidder on City contracting opportunities? Unsure where to begin? This informational workshop highlights the role and responsibility of DPS in the City’s purchasing process. Come learn about different procurement methods and the laws which govern the procurement process. Once completed, you will better understand what it takes before you start the bidding process and your responsibilities after you have won a contract with the City of Chicago.
YOUR BUSINESS IS CERTIFIED: NOW WHAT?
October 19, 2022 | 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Your business is certified; what are your next steps? This workshop will provide valuable information to newly certified firms on how to compete for City contracts and provide information on resources available to certified firms. Are you prepared to meet with prime contractors? Have you considered joint venturing on contracting opportunities? Are you attending pertinent networking events? Come hear advice from subject matter experts to better market your business, compete for, and earn City contracts.
ePROCUREMENT 101
October 20, 2022 | 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
DPS is continuing on the next phase of start-to-finish purchasing modernization via implementing a comprehensive eProcurement system. eProcurement applies digital technology to the acquisition of goods and services. It will allow DPS to collaborate with City Departments to create solicitations and contracts online, greatly reducing the time it takes to complete procurements. Come watch a demonstration and learn about iSupplier registration, how vendors will submit bids and proposals online, and how to view contracts and payments.
BUILDING CHICAGO! CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTING OVERVIEW
October 26, 2022 | 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
A construction-focused workshop, providing an overview of the bidding process and highlighting programs related to construction opportunities. This includes the Small Business Initiative (SBI), Mid-size Business Initiative (MBI), Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), Apprentice Utilization Bid Preference, and many more. Additionally, learn about the Job Order Contract (JOC). This is another delivery method for the City of Chicago to procure construction services. JOC is a firm, fixed price, competitive bid with indefinite quantity, delivery method designed to produce a large number of multi-trade, repair and rehabilitation projects, as well as minor new construction projects quickly.
CONTRACTING 101: HOW TO RESPOND TO A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP)
October 27, 2022 | 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
This workshop teaches business owners how to respond to a City of Chicago RFP using advice from seasoned professionals, you will learn specific details about what evaluators look for in an RFP and how to avoid common mistakes that can hurt your chances of a winning bid. Attend this workshop and learn how to navigate RFP specifications efficiently.
POST VENDOR FAIR INFORMATION
In case you missed the 9th Annual Procurement Vendor Fair and want to see the highlights, you can visit www.chicago.gov/2022vendorfair.

If you attended please take the brief survey and give us feedback about your experience at the 9th Annual Procurement Vendor Fair.
 
Your feedback is greatly appreciated and helps us to create programs that benefit Chicago's diverse business community.
WEEKLY BID OPPORTUNITY LIST
Bid Opportunity List for the Week of September 26, 2022
The weekly Bid Opportunity List (BOL) is the resource to find currently advertised contracting opportunities with the City of Chicago. The information on the BOL is subject to change.

Please visit www.chicago.gov/bids for the latest updates on current solicitations.
Please be advised that all contracts awarded on March 10, 2021 and beyond will include Terms related to compliance with Executive Order 2021-2. These terms include quarterly reporting requirements for the projected and actual utilization of M/WBE firms.
Business Diversity Program and Utilization Report Deadline 

The EO requires the BDPR to be submitted by July 1st of each calendar year. Therefore, if you have not already completed your report for this year, please do so today. 

***PLEASE NOTE*** - If you filed a BDP report last year, the credentials you used will not grant access to the microsite this year. Starting in 2022, contractor representatives are required to register in the Business Diversity Reporting system. This will allow each vendor the convenience of being able to leave and come back to Business Diversity Program reports in progress, find reports uploaded in previous years, and keep a historical record of the reports going forward. Click on the Vendor Registration link to register. Once registered, you can simply log in to get access to previously submitted reports, continue working on in-progress reports for the current year, and upload new reports.

Thank you for your attention to advancing the administration's leadership in ensuring that the private sector is an equal and accountable partner in building a more diverse Chicago.   
RESOURCES FOR THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY
Resource Navigators

The City of Chicago has established Small Business Resource Navigators to provide 1:1 assistance to small businesses looking for support. For more information, click here.

Information on Chicago Reopening Guidelines

Mayor Lightfoot released industry-specific guidelines for businesses, employees, and customers to follow as the city prepares to begin safely reopening. Industry-specific guidelines include details such as how businesses can engage in healthy interactions between workers and customers, maintain safe working spaces and conditions, and design and monitor workplace operations to create flexibility and maintain safety for employees and customers. Guidelines can be found at www.chicago.gov/reopening.
DPS RESOURCES ONLINE
DPS believes that everyone should have a chance to participate in government business. Including participation in bidding on a contract, being a supplier, becoming a certified vendor, or even learning how to do business with the City.

Our DPS website provides information to inform our vendor community of procurement news, outreach, initiative, and programs. Visit www.chicago.gov/dps to learn about the following: