New York City to include LGBT-owned businesses in procurement

NY News - Published Jan 27, 2021

The New York City Department of Small Business Services (SBS) is set to begin formally including LGBT-owned business enterprises (LGBTBEs) in City procurement through a partnership with the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC). The NGLCC's list of Chamber-certified LGBTBEs will be recognized by SBS for purposes of determining LGBTBE status.

In addition to inclusion in contract opportunities, the partnership with the NGLCC will enable the SBS to provide LGBTBEs with various capacity-building, education, and supportive initiatives that are currently offered to other types of certified businesses. In addition, SBS recognition of LGBTBE status will afford LGBTBEs an easier pathway to becoming certified as minority- and women-owned business enterprises (MWBEs) or emerging business enterprises (EBEs), where appropriate, in places where overlapping standards for certifications exist.

"We are excited to maximize the inclusion of LGBTQ certified firms into the City's certification process [and] look forward to our continued partnership with the NGLCC," said Jonnel Doris, Commissioner of the NYC Department of Small Business Services, in a statement.

Read more at https://www.nglcc.org/press-release/new-york-city-becomes-largest-city-america-recognize-lgbt-owned-businesses.