PGCOC Procurement Program
Empowering Local Businesses through Equitable Procurement Opportunities
Background
The Prince George’s Chamber of Commerce (PGCOC) is dedicated to fostering a thriving economic environment for businesses in Prince George’s County, enhancing the overall quality of life for its residents. As part of this mission, PGCOC has partnered with CareFirst on an equity and inclusion grant aimed at creating new opportunities for local businesses. This innovative procurement program is designed to help businesses in Prince George’s County become suppliers to CareFirst and other large corporations in the area. Click here to see CareFirst’s commitment to supplier diversity.
This program not only seeks to grow revenues for local businesses but also aims to establish a national model for equitable procurement practices, ensuring that businesses led by women and people of color have equal opportunities to succeed and scale up.
Program Overview
This six-month program takes 15 minority vendors through all the steps to be eligible and apply for procurement opportunities with CareFirst and other participating organizations. Participants will be certified as a minority supplier through the Capital Region Minority Supplier Development Council.Their first year membership will be covered in the program.
There will be a virtual information session prior to the launch date, which will be recorded and available for viewing on
Expectations
Participants will:
- Attend a virtual two-hour workshop over the course of six (6) months (one workshop per month)
- Attend graduation
- Complete the all the steps and provided required documentation for graduation
- Complete a baseline and post-program assessment
- Complete a check-in survey one
year post graduation
Categories of Opportunities
Participating businesses will have the chance to secure contracts in the following categories:
- Advertising and Marketing Services
- Applications Development
- Computer Hardware and Software
- Facilities Services and Supplies
- Financial Services
- IT Contingent Labor and Consulting Services
- IT Systems
- Legal Services
- Professional Services and Consulting
- Promotional Items
- Real Estate and Lease Administration Services
- Office Supplies
- Temporary Staffing
- Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility Criteria
Guidelines for the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) minority business enterprise (MBE) certification:
- To be considered a member of a qualified minority group, a person must be a United States citizen who is Asian-Indian, Asian-Pacific, Black, Hispanic, or Native American
- The MBE must be for-profit
- Minorities must own and control at least 51% of the business
- Minority owner(s) must serve as President or CEO (if both positions exist)
- Minority owner(s) must be active in daily management
Guidelines for The Prince George’s Chamber of Commerce Procurement Prep Program:
- The MBE must be eligible for an MBE certification by the NMSDC.
- The MBE must be in good standing with the state of Maryland.
- The MBE must be a member of the Prince George’s Chamber of Commerce.
REGISTER BELOW!
Take the next step in growing your business by exploring how the PGCOC Procurement Program can help you secure contracts with major employers in Prince George’s County.
For more information and to sign up, please contact:
Angel St. Jean | Program Manager
Phone: 240-301-3422 • Email: astjean@pgcoc.org
