MBE Contract Compliance

Overview

In addition to providing certification on behalf of the State’s small businesses, MBECO implements the State’s policy to promote full participation by certified firms and monitors and enforces compliance by prime vendors, interagency entities, and quasi-agencies with participation requirements on State-funded projects. 

Pursuant to Rhode Island law, R.I. Gen. Laws § 37‑14.1, a minimum of 15% of the total contract dollar value of any State-funded project, including in-state purchases of goods and services and grants, must be awarded to a certified MBE/WBE firm. This includes a minimum of 7.5% MBE and a minimum 7.5% WBE.

MBECO oversees contract compliance to ensure adherence to State procurement requirements related to disadvantaged businesses and to enforce compliance through monitoring and enforcement activities. The Rhode Island State Archives and Public Records Administration require all state agencies, including the Department of Administration, Minority Business Enterprise Compliance Office (MBECO), to retain records in accordance with approved retention schedules. This includes certification files and compliance documentation, which must be retained for up to five (5) years. 

1. Under RIGL § 37-14.1, MBEs shall be awarded a minimum of fifteen percent (15%) of the dollar value of the entire procurement or project.  This includes all state funded, public works, and municipal construction projects. [RIGL § 37-14.1 and 220-RICR-80-10-2].
2. Under RIGL § 37-14.3-1-7, VBEs shall be awarded a minimum of three percent (3%) of the dollar value of the entire procurement or project. [RIGL § 37-14.3 and 220-RICR-80-15-1].

Due to the high volume of requests, and for compliance tracking, all inquiries must submit an email to mbe.compliance@doa.ri.gov.