Mayor Domenic J. Sarno and Chief of Staff Bill Baker met with Patrice ‘Chae’ Swan, Director of the Department of Technical Assistance and Compliance (DTAC) today for updates on DTAC’s continued work as a third-party certifier of diverse and small businesses.
The Small Business, Minority, and Women Business Enterprise Certification Program is a free process which enables businesses to bid on state contracts (such as road maintenance and construction projects) and can help grow businesses that have been traditionally underserved.
Springfield is only the second municipality, and first outside of Boston, to offer this certification.
In addition to being eligible to bid on state contracts, certification enables businesses to receive updates on upcoming projects of interest, free trainings, and invitations to networking events. Certified businesses are also added to the SDO’s Directory of Certified Businesses, which is used by state agencies and businesses to seek out vendors and partners for state contracts.
Mayor Domenic J. Sarno states, “I want to thank my Chief Development Officer Tim Sheehan and especially Patrice ‘Chae’ Swan, Director of the Department of Technical Assistance and Compliance, for their efforts working with the State Supplier Diversity Office to establish this unique and innovative partnership to provide our local small businesses with this certification initiative. Upon completion of the requirements, those small businesses that become SDO certified will be eligible to bid on state contracts. Besides Boston, Springfield is now the second municipality, and the only one in Western Massachusetts, to offer this program. My administration is committed to providing as much opportunity as possible for our local businesses so that they can tap into potential new contracts and work, which will create and enhance more of that good four-letter word, JOBS!”
Interested businesses can apply through the Department of Technical Assistance and Compliance webpage by visiting the City of Springfield website at: www.springfield-ma.gov/finance/dtac
