City's Certification Program Sees Unprecedented Growth

By: Andrea Sidlauskas

Mayor Sylvester Turner’s administration has taken the City of Houston’s supplier diversity program to new heights by certifying its 5,000th business. With this achievement, the City of Houston now has more certified firms than any regional certifying agency in Texas, second only to the State of Texas’ HUB Certification program. The City of Houston serves 10 counties in the Houston metropolitan area, while the State’s certification program certifies HUB firms in 254 counties across Texas.

CELEBRATING 5,000 CERTIFIED FIRMS: The Office of Business Opportunity’s Certifications & Designations team, led by Manager Tim Warren (center), assisted the City of Houston in reaching a supplier diversity milestone.

With these certifications, small businesses are eligible to participate in City of Houston goal-oriented contracts. They can also be used to do business in many public sector agencies across the region, as well as in the private sector. Last fiscal year, the City of Houston awarded more than $608 million to certified MWSBE firms. Certified firms are also entered into the City’s Certified Firm Directory at Houston.mwdbe.com.

Numbers Nearly Double Under Turner Administration

“When I became mayor in 2016, there were 2,550 small businesses in the City’s Certified Firm Directory,” Mayor Sylvester Turner said. “As I come to the end of my term, I’m proud to say we have increased that number by almost 100%.”

CITY COUNCIL RECOGNITION: Mayor Sylvester Turner, right, presented a City of Houston proclamation to Sultonah Theriot, owner of Little Bits & Masterpieces, LLC. The art studio, created by Theriot, is the 5,000th Houston business to receive certification (Minority Business Enterprise and Women Business Enterprise).

Mayor Turner honored Little Bits & Masterpieces, LLC as the 5,000th certified business on January 31, 2023, proclaiming it “Little Bits & Masterpieces, LLC Day.” The art studio, created by Sultanah Theriot, received the Minority Business Enterprise and Women Business Enterprise certifications.

“I decided to get certified with the City of Houston to further establish my business as a reputable and trustworthy organization,” Theriot said. “I would encourage any business owner who is looking to establish themselves in the Houston area to consider getting certified with the City. It has helped me build my business and give my customers peace of mind.”

The Office of Business Opportunity certifies the following types of businesses through the City of Houston’s local certification program: Minority Business Enterprises (MBE), Women Business Enterprises (WBE), Small Business Enterprises (SBE) and Persons with Disabilities Business Enterprises (PDBE). OBO also certifies the following types of businesses on behalf of the United States Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT): Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and Airport Concessionaire Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE).

In order to get certified, business owners should review the certification requirements; attend the pre-certification workshop, which explains the process in-depth and allows applicants to ask specific questions; and submit their completed application together with all requested documents through the online portal at https://houston.mwdbe. com/?TN=houston.

From there, applications are screened and audited before being sent to a committee review. The committee ensures the applicant firm’s eligibility and ends with a decision to certify the firm or issue a tentative denial with an option to appeal.

“Being the 5,000th certified firm is a significant achievement for me and my business,” Theriot said. “I am proud to be a part of the City of Houston’s commitment to supporting small businesses and promoting economic development.”

FULFILLING OBO’S MISSION: OBO Director Marsha Murray said of her team, including certification officers Timika Prudhomme, left, and Michelle Bradley: “The growth of the City’s certification program has only been possible through the work of the dedicated public servants at OBO. My team is truly committed to the growth and success of our local small businesses.”

The City of Houston Office of Business Opportunity is committed to cultivating an inclusive and competitive economic environment by promoting the success of small businesses and developing Houston’s workforce. Administration of the City’s certification program is part of how OBO fulfills this mission.

“With the help of the Office of Business Opportunity, the City of Houston will continue its commitment to the advancement of equitable access, economic opportunity and the success of historically underutilized small businesses in the Greater Houston region,” Mayor Turner said.

How To Prepare for Certification

Small business owners are encouraged to take advantage of OBO’s Pre-Certification Workshops before starting the certification process. These workshops are available in the following formats:

On-Demand Pre-Certification Workshops: Available in English and Spanish, on OBO’s YouTube page: youtube.com/houstontxobo

Virtual Pre-Certification Workshops: Via Microsoft Teams. Held every first and third Tuesday of the month, except for holidays and City closures, at 2:00 p.m.

In-Person Pre-Certification Workshops: Held every third Tuesday of the month at 611 Walker St., 7th floor, Houston, TX 77022, except for holidays and City closures, at 2 p.m.

Visit houstontx.gov/obo/ registrations.html to sign up for a workshop or get more information about the City of Houston’s certification process.