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Supplier Diversity

We work to ensure that minority-owned, women-owned, small and small local businesses can thrive and grow in Boston through access to City contracts.

What We Do

We certify businesses as Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs), Women Business Enterprises (WBEs), Small Business Enterprises (SBEs), and Small Business Local Enterprises (SLBEs).

Learn more about business certifications

Join virtual certification office hours every Wednesday from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m to ask questions and get started.

JOIN CERTIFICATION OFFICE HOURS

Please note: The City of Boston also recognizes Veteran Owned Small Business Enterprise (VOSBE) and Service Disabled Veteran Owned (SDVOSB) certifications from the U.S. Small Business Administration on behalf of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Businesses who certify with the City as M/WBE or S/LBE and already hold either certification from the SBA may have their VOSB or SDVOSB certifications recognized and added to the directory.

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Supplier Diversity Week 2026

Supplier Diversity Week 2026

October 26 - October 30, 2026

Mayor Wu and the City of Boston’s Department of Supplier Diversity will celebrate the fourth annual Supplier Diversity Week, reaffirming the City’s commitment to supporting local, diverse businesses. 

During Supplier Diversity Week, the Department of Supplier Diversity will host a series of free workshops, networking events, and opportunities designed to help small and diverse businesses better understand City contracting, connect with buyers and resources, and build the knowledge and relationships needed to compete for public-sector work.

REGISTER FOR ALL EVENTS

Upcoming events and workshops

Upcoming events
Business Certification Office Hours
On Sep 30

Sep 30
Business Certification Office Hours
On Oct 7

Oct 7
Business Certification Office Hours
On Oct 14

Oct 14
Business Certification Office Hours
On Oct 21

Oct 21
Procurement 101: A Guide to Bidding and Contracting with the City
On Oct 26

Oct 26
Diverse Business Certification Workshop: Overview and Benefits
On Oct 27

Oct 27
Business Certification Office Hours
On Oct 28

Oct 28
Supplier Diversity: Opportunity Fair
On Oct 28

Oct 28
Office of Small Business: Programs and Resources
On Oct 30

Oct 30
The directory is a list of all businesses certified through the Department of Supplier Diversity

Certified Business Directory

Services

Certify Your Business with the Supplier Diversity Program

The Supplier Diversity Program works to ensure that minority-owned, women-owned, and small businesses can thrive and grow in Boston through equitable access to City contracts.

Certified Business Directory

See a list of all current businesses MBEs, WBEs, SBEs and SLBEs certified through the City of Boston Department of Supplier Diversity.

Guide to City Contracting

Doing business with the City may be easier than you thought. Get more information on the process.

Sheltered Market Program

We're designating City of Boston contracts as available exclusively for minority- and women-owned certified businesses.

City Contracting Dashboard

The Equity in City Contracting Dashboard provides additional transparency and visibility into the City’s progress toward meeting its supplier diversity goals.

Black-Owned Boston Certified Business Map

View the Department of Supplier Diversity's Directory of Certified Black-owned Businesses in Boston.

Policy and Process

We work to create policies that increase access to City contracts for minority-owned and woman-owned businesses.

Inclusive Quote Process (IQC)

An IQC allows the City to use a simplified process to procure from small, local, disadvantaged businesses.
Equitable Procurement Initiative

Equitable Procurement Initiative supports a more equitable, transparent, and data-driven procurement system.
Equity in City Contracts: Five-Year Supplier Diversity Program Review (FY21-FY26 Q1-Q3)

This supplemental report complements the annual Equity in City Contracts Report series.
June 2026 Executive Order

With this Executive Order, the City is able to issue a new Disparity Study and set goals on construction projects.
2020 Disparity Study

The first Disparity Study identified challenges for minority- and woman-owned businesses in doing business with Boston.
February 2021 Executive Order

Read the executive order establishing equitable procurement goals in support of minority and woman-owned businesses.

Equity in City Contracts FY25 Reporting

See reporting

News

News

Director of Supplier Diversity Andrea Caruth Speaks at Annual Women in Construction Conference

Supplier Diversity

Boston Skyline by Elaine Brewer on Unsplash

The City of Boston Has Published the FY27 Buying Plan

Procurement, Supplier Diversity, Economic Opportunity and Inclusion

City of Boston Hosts “The Blueprint: Building Black-Owned Businesses in Panel” in Celebration of Black History Month

Supplier Diversity

Highlighting the City’s progress in Supplier Diversity and celebrating the recipients of the SCALE grant

First Annual Scaled Impact Celebration

Supplier Diversity

Resources

Resources
Permits and Certifications
Licensing
Business How-Tos
Programs

NOTICE OF ACCOMMODATIONS

Interpretation, translation, and disability accommodation services are available to you at no cost. If you need them, please contact us at supplierdiversity@boston.gov or 617-635-4511.

Hay servicios de interpretación, traducción y adaptaciones para discapacidades a su disposición sin costo alguno. Si los necesita, por favor póngase en contacto con nosotros mandando un correo electrónico a supplierdiversity@boston.gov o llamando a 617-635-4511.

Sèvis entèpretasyon, tradiksyon, ak sèvis akomodasyon pou andikape disponib pou ou gratis. Si w bezwen sèvis sa yo, tanpri kontakte nou nan supplierdiversity@boston.gov oswa 617-635-4511.

我們可以為您提供免費的口譯、翻譯以及為殘疾人士提供的合理住宿服務。如有任何疑問，請發送電子郵件至 supplierdiversity@boston.gov或致電617-635-4511。

Các dịch vụ thông dịch, dịch thuật và hỗ trợ người khuyết tật được cung cấp miễn phí cho bạn. Nếu bạn cần họ, vui lòng liên lạc với chúng tôi theo địa chỉ supplierdiversity@boston.gov hoặc 617-635-4511 trước ngày: 

我們可以為您提供免費的口譯、翻譯以及為殘疾人士提供的合理住宿服務。如果您想請求協助，請透過電子郵件  supplierdiversity@boston.gov 或致電 617-635-4511 與我們聯繫。

Nu ta oferese-bu sirvisus di interpretason, traduson y sirvisus di komodason pa gentis ku difisénsia di grasa. Si bu meste kes sirvisu la, kontata-nu pa email supplierdiversity@boston.gov ó pa telefóni, pa númeru 617-635-4511.   

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