Contact Us

Address: 
1500 East Main Street, 5th Floor
Richmond, VA
23219 USA

Email: Ask Minority Business

Phone: (804)646-5947
Fax: (804)646-0136

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Compliance

The City of Richmond’s Office of Minority Business Development (OMBD) is committed to increasing contracting opportunities for all minority business enterprises (MBEs), emerging small businesses (ESBs) and disadvantaged business enterprises (DBEs). OMBD is focused on building minority business capacity, improving access and tracking contract utilization.

 
OMBD is mandated by the City Code to set goals and monitor those contracts for Minority Business Enterprises, Emerging Small Business, and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises participation. 

OMBD responsibilities include:

  • Setting Goals on Contracts where MBE/ESB participation is available
  • Monitoring MBE/ESB participation on contracts through on-site visits, interviews with workers and compliance desk audits.
  • Making presentations at pre-construction conferences and meetings to explain the compliance guidelines to contractors and answer questions regarding MBE, ESB, and DBE compliance.
  • Collaborating with several City departments in the final evaluation of City contracts

OMBD is committed to building capacity through our subcontracting program and various developmental resources. 

Title VI Notice to Public

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Notifying the Public Rights Under Title VI

THE CITY OF RICHMOND, VIRGINIA

The City of Richmond, Virginia, operates its programs and services without regard to race, color, and national origin in accordance with title VI of the Civil Rights Act.  Any person who believes she or he has been aggrieved by any unlawful discriminatory practice under Title VI may file a complaint with the City of Richmond.

For more information on the City of Richmond's civil rights program, and the procedures to file a complaint, contact (804) 646-5919; email: Robert.holmes@rva.gov or visit our office at 1500 E. Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219.  For more information, visit https://www.rva.gov/mbd/public-announcements.

A complainant may file a complaint directly with the Federal Transit Administration by filing a complaint with the office of Civil Rights, Attention:  Title VI Program Coordinator, East Building, 5th Floor-TCR, 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE, Washington, DC 20590.

Procedure for Title VI Complaint 

Title VI Complaint Form

 

 

Notificación al público sobre sus derechos bajo el Título VI

CIUDAD DE RICHMOND, VIRGINIA

La Ciudad de Richmond, Virginia opera sus programas y servicios sin discriminar por raza, color u origen nacional, de acuerdo al Título VI del Acta de Derechos civiles. Cualquier persona que crea que ha sido afectada por alguna práctica discriminatoria ilegal cubierta por el Título VI, puede presentar su queja ante la Ciudad de Richmond.  

Si desea más información acerca del programa de derechos civiles de la Ciudad de Richmond o de los procedimientos para presentar un reclamo, puede llamar al (804) 646-5919, enviar un correo electrónico a: Robert.Holmes@rva.gov o visitar nuestras instalaciones, ubicadas en el 1500 E. Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219. Para más información, visite nuestra página en Internet: https://www.rva.gov/mbd/public-announcements.

Los reclamantes también pueden presentar sus quejas directamente a la Administración Federal de Transporte, presentando su reclamo por correo postal a:

Office of Civil Rights

Attention: Title VI Program Coordinator

East Building, 5th Floor-TCR

1200 New Jersey Ave., SE

Washington, DC 20590

 

 

Procedimiento Titulo VI

Formulario De Queja

 

 

The City of Richmond DBE Announcement

DBE Goal FY 2022 - 2023

The City of Richmond's Office of Minority Business Development has established an overall goal of 13% for participation of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs) in contracting opportunities on the Main Street Station Renovation Project during the City's fiscal year beginning October 1, 2021, thru September 30, 2024, pursuant to 49 CFR, Part 26.

Documentation on the development of this goal is available for inspection Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. until August 31, 2024, at the following address:

Mr. Robert O. Holmes, Jr.

Economic Development Manager

City of Richmond

Office of Minority Business Development, 5th Floor

1500 East Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23219

 

 

Public Announcements

 

The project highlights and phased plan for the Diamond District showcases a diverse ownership team that includes 45% MBE ownership. The plan seeks to include MBE/ESB business throughout the project, from ownership and development to construction and operations, maintenance, and leasing inclusive of employment, contracting, and leasing.

MBE ownership is woven into the fabric of the entire proposal. Loop Capital, one of the largest minority-owned investment banks in the world, has a 45% ownership in the General Partnership, and their MBE plan prioritizes opportunities for additional minority ownership at every level and phase of this project. 

To learn more, click here.

Getting Registered as an MBE with the OMBD

Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) are businesses at least 51% of which is owned and controlled or 51% minority-owned and operated by minority group members or, in case of a stock corporation, at least 51% of the stock is owned and controlled by minority group member. Minority group members are citizens of the U.S. who are African-American, Hispanic-American, Asian-American and American Indian. 

MBE Registration Required Documents

  • Color Copy of Government-Issued Identification
  • Copy of Business License (county or city where headquartered)
  • Copy of Contractor’s License (if applicable to field of work)
  • Copy of Proof of Ownership (copy of EIN letter or Stock Certificate)
  • Copy of Articles of Incorporation (Inc.) or Articles of Organization (LLC)
  • Copy of Bond Certification (if applicable)
  • Copy of Work Related History (Owner’s Resume or Business Brochure)
  • Copy of Certification (see below for acceptable certification)
     

Click here to access the portal: Minority Business Development Registration  (Minority-Owned)

Under "OMBD Vendor Registry," select "Apply for Registration" to access the registration.

Getting Certified as an ESB with the OMBD

Emerging Small Businesses (ESBs) are non-minority owned businesses that are located in one of the City of Richmond's Enterprise Zones. 

 

ESB Certification Requirements

  • Non-minority owned businesses located in one of the City of Richmond's Enterprise Zones
  • Company has fewer than 10 full-time permanent employees.
  • Pays personal property, real estate, and business taxes as applicable to the City of Richmond.
  • Not a subsidiary of another business and/or does not belong to a group of businesses owned and controlled by the same individuals. 
  • Annual gross receipts of $500,000 or less for each of its three fiscal years preceding application for such certification if engaged primarily in the construction business or of $250,000 or less if engaged primarily in a non-construction business.
  • Required site visit.

 

ESB Certification Required Documents

  • Color Copy of Government-Issued Identification
  • Copy of City of Richmond Business License
  • Copy of Leasing Agreement (Business must be located in City of Richmond Enterprise Zone)
  • Copy of Contractor’s License (if applicable)
  • Copy of Proof of Ownership (copy of EIN letter or Stock Certificate)
  • Copy of company’s federal income tax filings for last three years
  • Affidavit stating business is not operating/headquartered outside of Richmond, Virginia
  • Copy of Work Related History (Owner’s Resume or Business Brochure)

Click here to access the portal: Emerging Small Business Certification (Non-Minority Owned)

Under "Vendor Certification," select "Apply for/renew Certification" to access the certification application.

Additional Certification (MBE/ESB Participation Credit)

The Office of Minority Business Development recognizes three certifications for MBE/ESB participation credit on the City of Richmond’s construction and non-construction projects. All subcontractors participating on one or more of the City of Richmond’s projects must be certified by one of the following agencies or organizations: 

  • SWaM Certified as Minority-Small (MS) or Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) with the State of Virginia’s Small Business and Supplier Diversity (SBSD). SWaM Certification 
  • Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Certified with Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority (MWAA). MWAA Certification
  • 8A Certified with the Small Business Administration (SBA) 8A Certification

**Prime Contractors are responsible for ensuring their subcontractor(s) are certified with one of the above agencies to obtain full MBE/ESB participation credit on the project they have been awarded.