Events & Outreach
View our upcoming outreach and workshops in our Events Calendar here. 
DPS WORKSHOPS
DPS now offers virtual workshops through webex. To view and register for upcoming workshops visit our Events Calendar here. Below you can find information about some of our most popular workshops, including the most recent recorded workshop and a link to the downloadable slide presentation.
If you have any questions about our workshops and outreach events, please email us at DPS.feedback@CityofChicago.org.
Featured Workshops
ACDBE Certification (2025)
Department of Procurement Services in partnership with CDA & the ORDer Up! RFP
CDA's upcoming ORDer Up RFP is an uprecedented opportunity for food & beverage, as well as retail vendors to participate in real economic growth & development! In collaboration with CDA, the Department of Procurement Services is hosting a series of On-site Airpor Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) Certification Workshops in the month of November. Our aim is to ensure firms are informed of this great opportunity and can access support from DPS Certifcation Subject Matter Experts who can meet them in the community and answer their burning questions.
Did you know? O’Hare concession sales in 2023 totaled $346M and 2024 sales are nearly recovered to pre-pandemic levels . CDA is inviting eligible vendors to share in the growth with this RFP. Vendors who attend one of our on-site workshops will receive insight and support on their way to submitting a proposal and better position themselves for similar future bid opportunities benefiting from ACDBE certification. Questions and answers will be recorded and made public on this page after each event for the general public.
Why join our upcoming ACDBE workshops?
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Visibility!
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Certified firms are listed in a public directory for Prime Contractors and anyone looking to do business with a City-certified firm. |
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Equitable Opportunity!
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Being certified makes you eligible for equity initiatives that aim to benefit disadvantaged businesses who are looking to grow. |
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Reciprocity!
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ADCBE certifications are mutually recognized by IDOT, PACE, CTA, and METRA. |
Register by clicking on the dates listed below.
Feb 18th REGISTER at Shine Bright Community Center (south)
Feb 26th REGISTER at City Hall (central)
Mar 5th REGISTER at City Hall (central)
Mar 12th REGISTER Online via Webex
Core Workshops
Procurement Fundamentals: Doing Business with the City of Chicago
Do you have questions about how to become a successful bidder on City contracts? Unsure where to begin? This workshop highlights the role and responsibility of the City’s purchasing process. Learn different procurement methods and laws. Understand what it takes before you start the bidding process and your responsibilities after you have won a contract.
Click here to download the PowerPoint Presentation
How to Become Certified
DPS is the certifying agency for the following certifications: Minority-Owned Business Enterprise, Women-Owned Business Enterprise, Veteran-Owned Business, Business Enterprise for People with Disabilities, Disadvantaged Business Enterprise and Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE). Learn who is qualified to be a certified firm, the documents are needed when submitting and how to avoid common mistakes.
Click here to download the PowerPoint Presentation
Interested in more workshops?
DPS offers over 20 different classes on procurement and certification-related issues free to the public. These classes are offered to provide opportunities for greater knowledge on governmental contracting policies and procedures in order to increase competition and minority and women-owned business utilization on City contracts.
To reference the content of all workshops, as well as information about our programs, Click Here. You can download all workshop PowerPoint files and stay up-to-date with all DPS programs and initiatives.
10th Annual Procurement Symposium
The City of Chicago Department of Procurement Services outreach event where prospective vendors can learn about government contracting opportunities.
Procurement Services (DPS) Alerts
Sign up to receive notices of upcoming bid and RFP/Q opportunities for contracts and other information of interest to current and prospective vendors doing business with the City of Chicago.
Facts
Department:
Department Main Office
Procurement Services
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Phone: 312.744.4900
TTY: 312.744.2949
Fax: 312.744.0010
Contact Us -
121 N. LaSalle St.
Room 806
Chicago, IL 60602
Get Directions - Leadership
Sharla Roberts
Chief Procurement Officer