Local Law 12 of 2006 provides the foundation for the Emerging Business Enterprise (EBE) Program. This program certifies business owned, operated, and controlled by individuals who are socially and economically disadvantaged. The program is designed to promote fairness and equity in city contracting and to level the playing field for these business owners.
Eligiblity Requirements
To apply for EBE certification, a company must be:
- In business for at least one year
- At least 51% owned, operated, and controlled by persons who can demonstrate social and economic disadvantage*
- Active within the geographic market for the City of New York. A company must have a real and substantial business presence within the five boroughs or in one of eight surrounding counties:**
NY: Nassau, Putnam, Rockland, Suffolk and Westchester
NJ: Bergen, Hudson and Passaic
*A person who is socially and economically disadvantaged has experienced chronic and substantial negative treatment in the United States. The person's inability to compete must have been impaired due to diminished access to capital and credit and the net worth of the owner(s) must be less than $1 million.
**If the company is located outside of New York City, it must have a significant tie to the City's business community (e.g., have conducted business in the City, have derived 25% of more of gross receipts from business conducted in the City, possess a license issued by the City, etc).
How to Apply
Step 1: Get Registered
Any business that wants to do business with the City of New York must register with Vendor Enrollment Center. Log on to www.nyc.gov/selltonyc to complete the Vendor Enrollment Application. When registering, please limit your NIGP commodity code selections to items that best describe the product or services you sell.
Step 2: Get Certified
To download an EBE certification application and its instructions, click here! (PDF)
Questions concerning the program maybe directed to ebe@sbs.nyc.gov.
Step 3: Get Connected
- Speak with a procurement specialist to learn how to navigage City purchasing
- Attend a free business development seminar
- Network with City agencies to get to know the buyers
- Get free one-on-one bidding assistance
Have an Account Manager contact you