August 18, 2022 | VENDOR FAIR, DPS Workshops, Upcoming Events, Bid Opportunity List (BOL)

Monday, August 18, 2022

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Event Highlights:

95+ EXHIBITORS
9 WORKSHOPS presented by subject matter experts
10+ Prime Contractors in the Business Connect
Consolidated Buying Plan Vendor Fair Edition
Networking for Contracting Opportunities
The ability to customize your workshop experience to create a Procurement Vendor Fair that meets your needs
Information and resources for all business sizes and focus areas
FREE PARKING!
And much more... Hope to see you there!

VIRTUAL OUTREACH AND EVENTS

DPS participates in many outreach events around the Chicagoland area. Check out the upcoming events happening soon. For a full calendar of events, please visit www.chicago.gov/dpsevents

DRIVING SMALL BUSINESSES THE DISTANCE

Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Certification

August 24, 2022 | 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Are you interested in becoming Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) certified, learning about upcoming CTA contracts, and navigating diversity and payroll compliance requirements? Take your business to the next level with CTA Diversity Programs’ Driving Small Businesses the distance workshops!

The program will take place in Fall of 2022 and consists of various workshops. Join us to gain helpful tools and resources to drive your business forward to successful CTA contracting!

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.

COMPLIANCE 101: HONORING OBLIGATIONS TO CHICAGO TAXPAYERS

August 31, 2022 | 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

This workshop will provide an overview of vendor requirements, including information about paying correct wages, the City’s Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE) program, and Chicago Residency and Project Area Resident contracting requirements. Learn helpful tips on completing bid submittal compliance documentation and gain insight on laws, rules, and regulations governing compliance.

WEEKLY BID OPPORTUNITY LIST

Bid Opportunity List for the Week of August 15, 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.

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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

Last year, Mayor Lightfoot issued Executive Order 2021-2 (EO), which requires all contractors with City agreements to submit an annual report about their company's Business Diversity Program. As a result, the Business Diversity Program and Utilization Report (BDPR) is due on July 1st of each calendar year from all contractors, with limited exceptions. Note: Reporting forms and FAQs can be found by clicking the link to our dedicated microsite http://www.chicago.gov/bdp.

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: