Boston Contracting Opportunity Fund
The boost your business needs to compete.
Update: Applications for this fund are currently closed.
Do you need help with rental space, equipment or inventory purchases, payroll, business bonding and insurance, or operating capital? We can give you the boost you need to compete for Boston City contracts. Apply now to see if your company is eligible for up to $15,000 in grant money. We want to give you the opportunity to build your capacity and compete for City contracts.
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Have questions? Contact:
SUPPLIER DIVERSITY PROGRAM -
Frequently Asked Questions
We have an information document that provides answers to some commonly asked questions about the fund.
About the fund
Boston's biggest opportunity: your business
The City of Boston is committed to working with diverse businesses, which is why we want to work with you. We're looking for diverse local businesses that provide:
- construction building and design
- professional and support services, and
- goods and supplies.
As Boston grows, so do the business opportunities — and we want to do business with you!
Your boost
The City of Boston is running its second annual Contracting Opportunity Fund, valued at $800,000, to help certified Boston-based businesses build capacity to bid on City contracts. Whether it’s rental space, equipment and/or inventory purchases, payroll, business bonding and insurance, or operating capital – we can give you the boost you need to compete for City and other government contracts.
Our goal is to increase the quantity and availability of certified businesses, including those that are owned by:
- women (WBE)
- minorities (MBE)
- veterans (VOSB/SDVOSB), or
- certified Small and Local (SLBE) businesses.
Please note: There's still time to become a certified business with the City of Boston's Supplier Diversity Program. We will award grants of up to $15,000 and city contracts starting in summer 2022.
Does my business qualify?
Find out if your business qualifies for the Boston Contracting Opportunity Fund!
Priority will be given to for-profit businesses in the City of Boston that provide:- construction building and design
- professional and support services, and
- goods and supplies.
To learn more, check our eligible business list below.
- a certified MBE, WBE, VOSB, or SLBE with the City of Boston's Supplier Diversity Program, or
- eligible to be certified and apply for certification before the Fund closes on May 27, 2022.
Applicants must also be in good standing with the City of Boston.
Applicants must show how funding will increase their capacity for City contracts and commit to providing supporting documents for grant expenditures.
Have questions about the fund? Check out our FAQ document and watch our Q&A webinar.
Translated materials
Translated materialsEligible Business List
Eligible Business ListIncluding building construction; heavy construction; mechanical contracting services; water, sewer, and utility lines; concrete, asphalt, and related products; electrical work; street cleaning; excavation, wrecking, and land preparation; roofing, siding, and flooring; landscape services; painting, striping, and marking; windows and doors; insulation, drywall, masonry, and weatherproofing; trucking and moving; heavy construction equipment; plumbing and HVAC supplies; fencing, guardrails, and signs; dam and marine construction; and other construction materials and services
Including architectural and design services; engineering; developers and operative builders; construction management; environmental services; transportation planning services; testing and inspection; and other architecture and engineering services
Including IT and data services; human resources and job training services; business and market research services; educational services; advertising, marketing, and public relations; and other professional services
including waste and recycling services; transit services; dining services; vehicle maintenance and repair; equipment maintenance and repair; security guard services; cleaning and janitorial services; security systems services; printing, copying, and mailing; pest control; catering and restaurants; and other services
Including deicing chemicals; office equipment and supplies; petroleum and petroleum products; vehicle parts and supplies; computers and peripherals; wholesale food products; automobiles; cleaning and janitorial supplies; furniture; industrial equipment
