July 25, 2022 | DPS Workshops, Upcoming Virtual Events, Bid Opportunity List (BOL)

Monday, July 25, 2022

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

CTA MENTOR PROTEGE NETWORKING EVENT

CTA Headquarters - 2nd Floor Conference Room A

567 W Lake St, Chicago, IL

August 17, 2022 | 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Join the CTA Diversity Programs for the mentor protégé networking event. The purpose of the mentor protégé program is to enhance the capacity and capability of DBE firms and thereby increase opportunities for DBE participation on CTA contracts, through hands-on and classroom training experience, the program strives to develop working relationships between DBE firms and prime contracting firms that have successfully participated in and/or completed CTA contracts. Host your company's table during the networking event to provide resources to potential proteges to foster business relationships.

Forward questions to diversity@transitchicago.com

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.

PROFESSIONAL DECLARATION OF ELIGIBILITY (PDE)

July 27, 2022 | 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Recommended for Attorneys and Accountants: The Professional Declaration of Eligibility is an innovative way of allowing qualified attorneys and CPAs to review, verify and attest that an applicant meets the requirements to become certified with the City of Chicago for one of the following certification programs: Minority Owned Business Enterprise (MBE) or Women Owned Business Enterprise (WBE). This workshop will outline who qualifies to use the PDE program, and who is qualified to submit a PDE application.

DPS INCENTIVES & PROGRAMS: GETTING THE MOST FROM YOUR BIDS

July 28, 2022 | 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

DPS has made it a priority to ensure that all interested businesses have the opportunity, information, and resources to compete for City contracts. This workshop will feature incentives and programs created to increase the diversity of the businesses that bid on and earn City Contracts. Come learn about comprehensive information on ways to grow your business, increase capacity, foster mutually beneficial business relationships, and be more competitive on City contracts. Learn about the Small Business Initiative, BEPD Incentive, M/WBE Mentorship Program, Veteran-Owned Business Enterprise (VBE), and many more.

WEEKLY BID OPPORTUNITY LIST

Bid Opportunity List for the Week of July 25, 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: