Creating fair, equal, and equitable access to public contracts in Chicago.

The Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) supports and advocates for our small business ecosystem by creating robust initiatives and programs that target small business enterprises, assisting their increased participation in economic development and government contracting by:

• Cultivating a competitive and diverse economic environment that drives equitable access to contracts and supports growth for success.
• Increasing equal access to public contracts that results in closing the wealth gaps for business suppliers in Chicago.
• Serving as an advocate to promote fair and equitable access to contracting, capital, business and technical assistance.

Through a partnership with a local business service organization, the program provides trainings, workshops, counseling, and mentorship resources to assist entrepreneurs, small business owners and professional service firms prepare for the successful participation in public contracting.

The Chicago Supplier Development Program will provide targeted support to small businesses interested in contracting with the City of Chicago.

The program will include weekly group trainings and 1:1 individual counseling capacity-building services to be provided are:

• Accessing Capital
• Bonding and Insurance
• Business Planning/Strategies
• Understanding Contracting Fundamentals
• Estimating and Bidding
• Finance and Financial Management
• Financing to Scale Business Operations
• Finding Contracting Opportunities
• Understanding Government Contracting
• Human Resources
• Marketing and Sales
• How to Obtain M/WBE Certification
• Project Management

If you are a business owner and would like to apply for the 2024 Chicago Supplier Development Program, complete this application.

Chicago Supplier Development Program

Closed on Friday, May 17, 2024 at 12:00 P.M. (noon)

RFP #10188 (for reference use only)