The Grand Rapids Chamber hosted another impactful session of the West Michigan Minority Contractors (WMMC) series on April 3, bringing together contractors, city officials, and procurement specialists to discuss access, equity, and opportunity in public contracting.
This quarterly event continues to be a catalyst for business growth, helping underrepresented contractors understand how to qualify for, compete on, and win government contracts at the local, county, and state levels.
Bid Incentives That Make a Difference
Amaad Hardy, Business Developer with the City of Grand Rapids’ Office of Equity & Engagement, walked attendees through the Equal Business Opportunity (EBO) Program, which provides bid discounts on City-funded projects.
These discounts — capped at 5% or $100,000 — reward contractors for engaging local and diverse partners. Key highlights include:
- Local Workforce (up to 2%): Hiring Grand Rapids residents and regional workers.
- MLBE Utilization (up to 5%): Subcontracting with certified Micro Local Business Enterprises.
- Joint Ventures and Mentor-Protégé Models: Designed to promote collaboration and capacity building.
- Veteran-Owned Business (1%) and Apprenticeship Engagement (1-3%): Incentivizing inclusive workforce practices.
For contractors seeking work with the City, understanding these guidelines — and how they align with the City’s strategic equity goals — can be a game changer.
Why Certification Matters
MLBE (Micro Local Business Enterprise) certification is more than just a checkbox — it’s a gateway to opportunity. Hardy outlined the benefits, including:
- Increased visibility through the City’s MLBE Directory.
- Eligibility for exclusive bid discounts.
- Access to networking and development opportunities.
To qualify, businesses must be based in Kent County, meet SBA size standards, have been in operation for at least 12 months, and ensure the owner’s personal net worth is under $305,000 (excluding primary residence). Certification is valid for nine years, and vendor registration with the City is required.
Hardy emphasized the importance of leveraging tools like Bid Express, the City’s digital procurement platform, to stay informed on current bid opportunities.
Kent County: Procurement Made Practical
Amy LaBudde, Purchasing Supervisor for Kent County, demystified the County’s procurement process and encouraged small businesses to become registered vendors — a key first step for accessing county bid opportunities.
Key points from her presentation:
- All active solicitations are posted publicly, but vendors must be registered to respond.
- The County utilizes a wide range of contractors — from office supplies and custodial services to capital projects.
- Email notifications are sent to registered vendors based on selected commodity categories.
- Businesses should regularly review Kent County Purchasing’s website to stay updated.
LaBudde emphasized the County’s interest in building new relationships with minority-owned and small businesses, particularly those ready to scale and deliver high-quality services.
State of Michigan: Accessing Billions in Contracts
Eric Pratt, Geographically Disadvantaged Business Specialist for the State of Michigan, led attendees through a deep dive on doing business with the State, which oversees more than 800 multi-year contracts valued in the billions.
Pratt highlighted these critical tools and programs:
- SIGMA Vendor Self-Service (VSS): The central system for registering as a vendor, submitting bids, receiving payments, and updating business profiles.
- Commodity Codes: Businesses must list what goods/services they offer to ensure they’re matched to relevant solicitations.
- Purchases under $50,000 are often handled directly by State agencies — reinforcing the importance of being registered and known.
He also shared how businesses can join the Michigan Supplier Community (MiSC), which offers preference in State purchasing to:
- Small businesses
- Veteran-owned or service-disabled veteran-owned businesses
- Geographically Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (GDBEs)
- Community Rehabilitation Organizations
State purchasing preferences also exist for Michigan-based businesses, Clean Corporate Citizens, and providers of bio-based products sourced within the state. Pratt encouraged attendees to visit Michigan.gov/MiProcurement and follow MiProcurement for updates.
Relationships Still Drive Results
Beyond certifications and systems, the WMMC event reinforced a familiar truth: relationships matter. Joint ventures, mentorships, and consistent presence at events like this build credibility and increase visibility in competitive contracting spaces.
A moderated panel discussion explored how local developers can strengthen their inclusion plans through partnerships with certified businesses and how minority-owned firms can scale to meet larger project demands.
Moving Forward Together
The Grand Rapids Chamber is proud to lead the West Michigan Minority Contractors series as part of our ongoing commitment to equitable economic development. These events are about more than policy — they’re about opening doors, building connections, and creating a future where everyone has a fair shot at success.
Save the date for the next WMMC event:
Ready to get certified or registered as a vendor?
Contact the Chamber’s Economic Growth Team — we’re here to help you take the next step.
