Minority Business Enterprise Compliance Office

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About the Office

MBECO promotes the development of certified Minority Business Enterprises (MBE), Women Business Enterprises (WBE), and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE). It does this by facilitating their participation in Rhode Island's business and economic development opportunities. Specifically, MBECO provides services in certification, enforcement, business assistance and advocacy. Certification is a marketing tool, used specifically to enhance your ability to do business in public markets. Where an agency has affirmative purchasing goals, certification increases your chances of receiving a contract. Certification does not guarantee that you will be successful each and every time you bid, but it may add a competitive edge to your bid. MBECO works extensively with state and local agencies to help them fulfill their business purchasing goals, actively promotes the participation of certified businesses in public and private purchasing and contracting programs, and also assists with new legislative and policy proposals that facilitate the involvement of minorities and women in the mainstream of the economy. For more information on Rhode Island's procurement system, contact www.Purchasing.ri.gov.

Our goals include increasing the number of MBE, WBE and DBE firms available for contract competition; fostering relationships between MBE, WBE and DBE firms with state agencies, quasi-state agencies, purchasing agents and prime vendors; providing opportunities for growth and development of MBE, WBE, and DBE firms; and ensuring compliance with the participation of MBE, WBE and DBE firms on all state procurement activities.

Minority Business Enterprise Program Mission Statement:

To support State of Rhode Island laws and policies that insure the fullest possible participation of Minority Business Enterprise in state funded and directed construction programs and projects, and in state purchases of goods and services.The MBE Program has a Mission to help your business.



The Minority Business Enterprise Program is a State of Rhode Island Program that promotes the State's policy of supporting the fullest possible participation of firms owned and controlled by minorities and women in state funded and directed public construction programs and projects, and in State purchases of goods and services. MBE Program support includes providing assistance to MBEs throughout the life of contracts with the State of Rhode Island.



Minorities include Black, Hispanic, Portuguese, Asian American, American Indian, Native Alaskan, and other groups or individuals found to be economically and socially disadvantaged by the Small Business Administration.

Under Rhode Island General Laws §37-14.1, Minority business enterprises shall be included in all procurements and construction projects under this chapter and shall be awarded a minimum of fifteen percent (15%) of the dollar value of the entire procurement or project. Of that fifteen percent (15%), minority business enterprises owned and controlled by a minority owner, shall be awarded a minimum of seven and one-half percent (7.5%), and minority business enterprises owned and controlled by a woman shall be awarded a minimum of seven and one-half percent (7.5%).

It is a goal of the MBE Program to increase the number of MBE's available for contract competition. If you want to start a business and offer goods or services to the State of Rhode Island, the MBE Program may be able to help. Our vision is straightforward and uncompromising - We will:

  1. Maximize opportunity for business participation by MBEs
  2. Stimulate MBE development and growth
  3. Encourage that MBEs are awarded not less than 10% of the dollar value of state funded or directed procurement and projects
  4. Establish a strong MBE support presence in minority communities and with MBE organizations

Minority Business Enterprise Compliance Office (MBECO)