Equity IN Procurement

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 and FSC First on equity and inclusion grants 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, FSC First and other large corporations in the area. Click here to see CareFirst’s commitment to supplier diversity. Click here to learn about FSC First’s core values.

 

Program Overview

This six-month training program takes under-served small businesses through all the steps to be eligible and apply for procurement opportunities with CareFirst, FSC First, Clark Construction, Pepco, Industrial Bank, Turner Construction, Hensel Phelps, and Luminus Health. 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.

 

Expectations

Participants will: 

  • Attend a combination of in-person and virtual three-hour workshops 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:

  • Real Estate and Lease Administration Services

  • Construction

  • General Contracting

  • Property Management

  • Janitorial and Facilities Services

  • Landscaping

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 Equity In Procurement 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.

 

Upcoming Workshops

We also encourage you to attend our virtual workshop to gain further insight into the program and how it can support your business in the procurement process. Registration for the workshop is available below via Zoom Registration.

Tuesday, April 1st

1:00PM - 3:00PMpgcoc.org/eip-401

Register

Virtual Information Workshop – Replay

View the recording from our virtual workshop to gain further insight into the program and how it can support your business in the procurement process. 

The application period for the first cohort expired on Friday, April 4th, 2025. We will publish an application for another cohort later in 2025. Stay tuned. 

For questions or more information on future cohorts, please contact:

Angel St. Jean | Program Manager
Phone: 240-301-3422 • Email: astjean@pgcoc.org 

 

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