Women and Minority Business Enterprise Program

What is the Women/Minority Business Enterprise (WMBE) Program?
The WMBE Program was established in 1991 to provide women and minority businesses equal contract opportunities in construction, professional services, and goods and non-professional services. On a continuous basis the MBD Office conducts outreach efforts to identify and register women and minority businesses interested in supplying goods and services to the City.

The City of Tampa’s WMBE Executive Order 98-2 and Executive Order 2007-2.
By executive order the City of Tampa’s WMBE Program states that minority and women owned businesses shall have maximum feasible opportunity to participate in the performance of City Contracts. The established participation goals are: 25.0% participation for construction contracts, 14.0% for professional services, and 4.0% for goods and non-professional services. Executive Order 2007-2 amended 98-2. See link to document "Executive Order 2007-2" for details.

Who Benefits from the services?
The program’s emphasis is towards women, black, and Hispanic businesses. A bona fide women or minority business is one which is owned and controlled by at least fifty-one percent (51%) women or minority group members. Women or minority members are Caucasian women of European descent, blacks, Hispanics, and other minorities for federally funded projects only.

How can I participate in the WMBE Program?
The first step is to fill out an application form for certification. This form is available on the City of Tampa’s website at TampaGov.net, or it can be mailed to you, or can be picked up at the MBD Office at 306 E. Jackson St. 7th Floor East.

What is the Purchasing Department’s procurement Policy?
The policy of the City’s Purchasing Department is that procurement practices are non-discriminatory and to promote equality of opportunity. The WMBE Program Office monitors all departments regarding the percentage of participation for women, black, and Hispanic.

How are purchases made?
After doing the necessary research to determine that the City buys what you sell, and that it would be worthwhile for your firm to become aware of upcoming bids, you may register to receive such bid notifications through City of Tampa service partner DemandStar. Demandstar will provide to its subscribers automatic notification, via email or fax, of upcoming bid solicitations that match your business. The bids you are sent will depend on the commodities or services identified with this service and the Counties for which you register. Registering for Hillsborough County through this system has an annual cost of $20.00. If you wish to only sign up to receive bids from our agency the service is FREE.

Please note that completing a Vendor Form (subscribing with Demandstar) is not the same as getting certified as a W/MBE or signing up for the City's Small Business Program. You must submit a separate W/MBE certification form or SBE Application to the Minority Business Development Office located at TMOB, 306 East Jackson Street, 7th Floor, Tampa, FL, 33602.

Also, the Contract Administration Department, which bid out major construction/engineering projects has a independent vendor lists for many of these services. Please contact this department to learn more about their procedures. The "Learn More" link below can give you additional information on this.

What is the role of the City of Tampa?
The City has a fundamental responsibility to provide opportunities for certified women and minority businesses. This allows them to effectively participate in the bidding process for all City procurement. When this responsibility is met, women and minority businesses contribute to the “Economic Development” of the community.  To contact the Minority Business Development Office please call (813) 274-5522.

Executive Order 2007-2 (PDF, 1,317kb)  WMBE Executive Order 98-2 (PDF, 3.0 Mb) 

WMBE Re-Certification Application (PDF, 109 kb)

WMBE Application (PDF, 153 kb)     WMBE Brochure (PDF, 44 kb)

WMBE Monthly Pay Schedule  (PDF, 49 kb)   WMBE Final Payment Schedule (PDF, 38 kb)