Photo of the Mexican American Cultural Center

Opening the door to opportunities.

The Small & Minority Business Resources Department (SMBR) administers the Minority- Owned, Women-Owned, and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Procurement Programs for the City of Austin.

Our mission is to promote access and equity on City of Austin contracts, providing economic opportunity to small, minority-owned, women-owned, and disadvantaged businesses.

The City’s MBE/WBE/DBE department:

  • Promotes and encourages minority, women, and disadvantaged business owners to participate in business opportunities with the City of Austin;

  • Assist certified businesses and businesses seeking certification with learning about opportunities available on the 2016 Corridor Mobility Bond

Divisions of SMBR: Certification, Compliance, and Resources.

News and Events

COVID-19 : Corona Virus Notices

  • COVID-19 Health & Safety Policy here
  • COVID-19 Get Tested Information in English & Spanish. (videos)

Austin's Economic Recovery Grants & Assistance Programs

The City of Austin's is currently accepting grant applications from small businesses and non-profit organizations facing hardships due to the COVID-19 pandemic:

Visit ATXrecovers.com for Economic Recovery information.

Modification of Services

The Small & Minority Business Resources Department (SMBR) will be adhering to a modified schedule of our operations and teleworking due to concerns related to COVID-19 to ensure social distancing. 

This means our staff will be addressing questions and concerns through emails and phone calls. We are doing this in an effort to maintain the health and safety of our employees and the community at large.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we navigate this extraordinary time. If you have any questions, you may reach our main line at (512) 974-7600.

For more information about the City's response to COVID-19 visit www.austintexas.gov/COVID19

2020 Disparity Study

The City of Austin (“City”) is conducting a Disparity Study of its Minority- Women-Owned Business Enterprise (“M/WBE”) and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (“DBE”) programs to ensure that M/W/DBEs have equal access to contracting opportunities and that the City’s current programs remain legally defensible and administratively successful.

Your participation and input are a critical part of the study process.

Disparity Study Kick Off presentation from April 16, 2020 here.

For more information on the Disparity Study and how you can participate, visit http://austin.disparity-study.com

Certification Application & Information

SMBR's Certification Division offers Minority-and/or Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MBE/WBE), Disadvantaged and Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE/ACDBE) certification to for-profit entities that qualify.

For more information about our Certification process visit the Certification Overview page. Apply online using the  online portal.

The Certification team can be reached by email at smbrcertification@austintexas.gov or call (512) 974.7645

    2016 Corridor Mobility Bond

    • View Corridor Program Contractor Outreach Event held on June 23, 2020 here.
    • 2016 Corridor Bond Program Information - Click here.
    • Sign up for newsletter here.

    Tesla

    Travis County staff has asked SMBR to spread the word on potential contracting opportunities. If you're interested in opportunities with Tesla, visit https://tesla.ecomply.us/ and preregister.

    If there are any specific questions related to the pre-qualification process, take a look at the presentation below and field your questions to ecomply@tesla.com. 

    Tesla: Travis County Gigafactory Texas Outreach to Certified Firms 9.16.2020

    Notice of Upcoming Solicitations from Tesla

     

    Purchasing

    Minority- and Women-Owned (MBE/WBE) Reports