UPDATES TO ONLINE
ECONOMIC DISCLOSURE STATEMENT (EDS)
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Beginning March 1, 2021, City of Chicago IT Help Desk services are expanding to include assistance with the Online EDS process.
Vendor can get assistance by emailing [email protected] or calling 312-744-HELP between 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., M-F (excluding City Holidays).
A DPS workshop about eProcurement has been scheduled for March 11, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. to help vendors learn about the changes and what they need to do to be ready to bid on City contracts. To register for workshops, visit www.chicago.gov/dpsevents
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VIRTUAL OUTREACH AND EVENTS |
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DPS participates in many outreach events around the Chicagoland area. Check out the upcoming events happening soon. For a full calendar of events, please visit www.chicago.gov/dpsevents
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Monthly Membership Meeting
March 9 2021 | 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
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Chatham Business Association will feature City of Chicago Chief Procurement Office Shannon E. Andrews for their March Membership meeting celebrating Women's History Month. Monthly Membership Meetings are held to inform current members and prospective members about issues and activities going on in Chatham and the City of Chicago. |
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March Mix & Mingle
March 9, 2021 | 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
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Join the LGBT Chamber of Commerce of Illinois as they hear from leaders on their thoughts on LGBTQ+ tourism across Illinois, and the industries and communities that helped to make these cities inclusive. We will also introduce our new LGBTCC Board Members.
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Nuts and Bolts of Business Planning and Financial Readiness for Start-ups
March 12, 2021 | 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
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Learn nuts and bolts for starting a sustainable small business that is also better prepared to weather economic changes. Learn business planning from a financial readiness lens. |
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LGBTBE: Now What?
March 18, 2021 | 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
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Are you a recently certified LGBT Business Enterprise, or just want to refresh some of the ways you do business as a diverse supplier with corporate companies? In this workshop, you will hear perspective from corporate companies and LGBTBE suppliers as they share best practices and reflect on their own experiences. |
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HOW TO BECOME CERTIFIED
March 10, 2021 | 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
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DPS is the certifying agency for the following certifications: Minority-Owned Business Enterprise (MBE), Women-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE), Veteran-Owned Business (VBE), Business Enterprise for People with Disabilities (BEPD), Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and Airport Concessions.
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE).This workshop will provide detailed information on who is qualified to be a Chicago certified firm. Learn out what documents are needed when submitting an application and how to avoid the most common mistakes in the certification process. Subject matter experts will be on-hand to answer all your questions about common certification topics.
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ePROCUREMENT 101
March 11, 2021 | 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
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eProcurement applies digital technology to the acquisition of goods and services. The City has been phasing in this process, which has now become the standard solicitation method due to statewide shelter in place requirements. This class focuses on assisting prospective bidders and proposers with registering for an iSupplier account and submitting an online bid to the City of Chicago. This class is open to all interested in doing business with the City. Vendors who need to respond to an eProcurement solicitation as a result of a recent conversion from paper solicitations are encouraged to attend. |
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WORKING WITH ASSIST AGENCIES IN WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
(Chicago Women in Trades and Revolution Workshop)
March 17, 2021 | 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
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City of Chicago Assist Agencies are comprised of not-for-profit agencies and/or chambers of commerce that represent the interests of small, local, minority, women, veteran, and disadvantaged- owned businesses within Chicago’s diverse communities. These organizations offer many resources to help businesses at every stage of their growth cycle as well as connect prime contractors with certified firms for subcontracting opportunities. This workshop will outline the role and responsibilities of an Assist Agency. Presented by Chicago Women in Trades and Revolution Workshop. |
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GOLDMAN SACH'S 10,000 SMALL BUSINESS INFORMATION SESSION
March 31, 2021 | 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
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Attend this workshop to learn more about this innovative program that can take your business to the next level. Learn what it takes to grow a business, how to increase your staff, create effective marketing strategies, and develop important business relationships. This class with teach you how to apply for this free, competitive application program sponsored by the Goldman Sachs Foundation. |
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APPLICATIONS REOPENED FOR THE CITY OF CHICAGO'S NEIGHBORHOOD OPPORTUNITY FUND
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The City of Chicago’s Neighborhood Opportunity Fund will reopen for grant applications up to $250,000 starting Monday, March 8, with more than $4 million in funding available for small businesses, non-profits and cultural institutions on the West, Southwest and South sides. The deadline for applications is Friday, April 9.
The Department of Planning and Development (DPD) program supports private rehabilitation and construction projects that add economic vitality to neighborhood commercial corridors and support local needs. A map of eligible areas and application details can be found on the program’s website, www.chicago.gov/nof.
DPD will host several virtual informational sessions to help potential applicants prepare for the submission process.
NOF Info Sessions — English
NOF Info Sessions — Spanish
The Neighborhood Opportunity Fund was established in 2016 to allocate zoning fees from downtown construction projects toward business projects along West, Southwest and South side commercial corridors.
Grants may be applied toward costs including building rehabilitation, new construction, design, site acquisition and preparation, technical services and other expenses. To date, the Neighborhood Opportunity Fund program has committed $55 million in financing to about 180 active and completed project across the West, Southwest and South sides of Chicago.
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THE SMALL BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT FUND (SBIF) |
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Eligible businesses must submit their application during the month-long application window for their TIF district to qualify for funding. To find out if and when SBIF grants are available for your business, search the address on the SBIF eligibility page. Other eligibility requirements apply, and application dates are subject to change.
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WEEKLY BID OPPORTUNITY LIST |
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Bid Opportunity List for the Week of March 8, 2021 |
The weekly Bid Opportunity List (BOL) is the resource to find currently advertised contracting opportunities with the City of Chicago. The information on the BOL is subject to change.
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RESOURCES FOR THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY |
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The City continues to work with stakeholders to explore additional funding and capital resources to further support Chicago's business owners and entrepreneurs throughout this public health crisis.
Resource Navigators
The City of Chicago has established Small Business Resource Navigators to provide 1:1 assistance to small businesses looking for support during this difficult time. For more information, click here.
Information on Chicago Reopening Guidelines
Mayor Lightfoot recently released industry-specific guidelines for businesses, employees, and customers to follow as the city prepares to begin safely reopening. Industry-specific guidelines include details such as how businesses can engage in healthy interactions between workers and customers, how to maintain safe working spaces and conditions, and how to design and monitor workplace operations to create flexibility and maintain safety for employees and customers. Guidelines can be found at www.chicago.gov/reopening.
Business Interruption Grants Program (BIG)
The Business Interruption Grant (BIG) program is a $636 million program developed by Governor Pritzker and the Illinois General Assembly to provide economic relief for small businesses hit hardest by COVID-19. BIG leverages federal funding provided by the CARES Act to help offset COVID-19 related losses for Illinois small businesses. Funding may be used to help businesses with working capital expenses, including payroll costs; rent; utilities; and other operational costs as defined in the eligible cost list found below. For more information, click here.
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DPS believes that everyone should have a chance to participate in the business of government. This includes participation by way of bidding on a contract, being a supplier, becoming a certified vendor, or even learning about how to do business with the City.
Our DPS website provides information to keep our vendor community informed of procurement news, outreach, initiative and programs. Visit www.chicago.gov/dps to learn about the following:
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DEPARTMENT OF PROCUREMENT SERVICES | www.chicago.gov/dps |
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