Program Guides

There are a number of organizations that provide assistance to vendors in obtaining MWSBE certification, as well as certifications by other entities. Refer to the Resource Page for certification agency information. In addition to the respective agency contacts, Mecklenburg County’s Office of Economic Development – MWSBE Program provides assistance (excluding 8a program). In additional to others like MMCA, HCAC, etc.

MWSBEs are encouraged to provide goods and services as either primes or subcontractors depending on their business’ organizational capacity to provide the County with the goods and services with competitive/reasonable pricing and responsive/responsible proposals.

The certification process typically takes between 30-60 days (and, in some cases, up to 90 days) depending on when the application is submitted and the completeness of supporting documentation.

There are no fees associated with the certification process for NC Department of Administration’s Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUB); City of Charlotte-Charlotte Business Inclusion’s Small Business Enterprise (SBE); North Carolina Department of Transportation’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE); and the US Small Business Administration’s 8a Program.

It is your responsibility to maintain up-to-date certification. Your certification expiration date will be listed on your approval letter/certificate/profile. While your current registered contacts may receive a courtesy notification warning that your certification is due to expire, the respective agency/Mecklenburg County is not responsible for ensuring that your company gets recertified. Recertification remains the sole responsibility of your company.
It is recommended that you start the renewal process sixty (60) to ninety (90) days before your expiration deadline. Please allow for four (4) weeks of processing time. Learn more about the Certification Renewal process by visiting the respective agency websites or contact them.

• NC Department of Administration’s Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUB) – Four (4) years;

• City of Charlotte-Charlotte Business Inclusion’s Small Business Enterprise (SBE) – Three (3) years;

• NC Department of Transportation’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) – One (1) year;

Increased visibility – Public Directory/Database

Keep your certification profiles up-to-date (contact information and commodity codes, etc). Certified firms are listed in the certification agency’s public directory/database. Potential clients search the certification directories/databases. Key words and concise, accurate information is the best way to position your company in the database.

Market Research, Capability Statement, and Networking.

Identifying and targeting potential clients with which you would like to do business is a great first step. Register as a vendor and then reach out to their diversity and department professionals with an introductory email detailing your certifications, capabilities, your goods and services, a brief (one page) marketing piece about your company, and experience; this will help position your company for success.
Attend outreach events, networking events, meet and greets, pre-bid meetings, and community input meetings.

Capacity Building

Also, make sure you and your team are constantly building your capacity through professional development, workshops, trainings, etc.
All of the certification agencies offer workshops, seminars, and networking events throughout the year.
Access to small business resources with Mecklenburg County’s Office of Economic Development and other civic groups and organizations in the area.
Remember to utilize your incentive through the City of Charlotte-Charlotte Business Inclusions’ SBE program – Annual allowance of $300 applied towards approved courses at Central Piedmont’s Small Business Center and a sponsorship for professional association.
https://charlottenc.gov/finance/procurement/cbi/Pages/business-resources.aspx

The NIGP Commodity/Services Code is an acronym for the National Institute of Governmental Purchasings Commodity/Services Code. The NIGP Code is a coding taxonomy used primarily to classify products and services procured by state and local governments in North America.
Mecklenburg County uses the five (5) digit class-item code. As a source, you can use the master list of NIGP Commodity Codes. You will receive an email notification for bid announcements if your NIGP code matches an announcement’s NIGP code.

Upcoming formal bid opportunities for construction and procurement related projects are available on the NC Interactive Purchasing System (NC IPS) and posted in the Charlotte Observer newspaper. Procurement bid announcements are also available on MeckProcure.

No. The goals are separate, and each are expected to be met. A firm must be designated as either MBE, WBE, or SBE for a project and that designation remains for the life of the project. It is acceptable to exceed the goals where possible.

Pre-bid (pre-conference/ informational) meetings /Site-visit meetings are very important for potential primes and potential subcontractors. This is the opportunity to learn more about the project from the project managers/department leads, an opportunity to ask clarifying questions, and the opportunity to network with potential primes and or partners.

If you have questions about Vendor Registration or the Vendor Portal, please contact the Vendor Management Team via the following:

Phone: 980.314.2400 | Email: Vendor.Management@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

If you have specific questions about a bid announcement you will want to make contact with the project manager/department lead that is listed in the announcement. This information will vary depending on the project.

Procurement announcements are listed in the MeckProcure System. Another source is the NC IPS System which lists all of the current bid announcements for Mecklenburg County.

Yes. Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTAC) are federally- funded centers that can provide a wide range of procurement contract assistance. For example, these organizations can assist with MWBE certification, employee recruitment, preparing for audit, and securing financing. Furthermore, these organizations can help new vendors by reviewing their bid documentation.

Thresholds for Goods, Technology, Supplies, Equipment, Services, and Construction for federally and non-federally funded projects can be found on pages 8-13.