SOMWBA - State Office of Minority and Women Business Assistance

Instructor-led sessions are offered continuously throughout the state. You may register electronically online, by mail, or by fax to attend any SDO session.

Businesses located outside the Commonwealth are required to take the precertification session by telephone. Please contact SDO to request an appointment for a telephone session.

If you operate a non-profit organization, you should not register for a session here. Instead, please contact the SDO office, or take our online session, paying particular attention to the tax status section.

Current session Offering List

"A Pre-Certification Session"
	This is a required workshop for all businesses interested in applying for certification as a Minority, Woman, and/or Disadvantaged Business Enterprise. The workshop will include information about the regulations, qualifications, process, and other information needed to begin the certification process. This session will run for two hours.
"DCAM Vertical Construction Contracting Prime & Sub-bidder Certification Workshops"
	This workshop is geared to assisting the MBE/WBE community in becoming DCAM-certified. This program will cover the DCAM Certification Application requirements and the process for becoming certified as a Prime & Filed Subbidder for those interested in bidding on M.G.L. Chapter 149 and 149A building construction work in the Commonwealth.
A Small Business Purchasing Program Overview - Comm-PASS SmartBid and Free Form Quick Quote
	This workshop provides an overview of the Small Business Purchasing Program (SBPP) and the Comm-PASS SmartBid Subscription Service. Businesses are encouraged to visit www.mass.gov/sbpp to view the eligibility criteria for the Small Business Purchasing Program. Eligibility is a pre-requisite for attending this class. SBPP Participants will learn how to: to manage the vendor’s profile, set up email notifications, find bid opportunities and respond to a Free Form Quick Quote. Class Length: 3 hours
Basic Supplier Diversity Program Overview & Comm-PASS training
	This three hour training session is opened to Minority and Women-Owned Businesses, who are interested in learning how to use their MBE/WBE certification in the procurement process, find opportunities for SDP partnerships and market as an SDP participant to state entities. An overview of Comm-PASS is provided including an interactive session on how to navigate the system, search for open opportunities, and list your business as an interested bidder and other Comm-PASS features.
Connecting Your Business to the Commonwealth
	The Operational Services Division offers this FREE workshop designed for businesses who are interested in learning how to do business with the State. This workshop includes: An Overview of OSD programs and services including, State and Federal Certification, Supplier Diversity Program (SDP), Small Business Purchasing Program (SBPP), and a live demonstration of where to find bidding opportunities in Comm-PASS. (Commonwealth’s e-Procurement System) Attendees will also learn about Statewide and Departmental Contracting procurement process and marketing to public entities.
How to Submit an Effective SDP Plan Training
	The Operational Services Division requires a Supplier Diversity Plan Form for all large procurements ($150,000+) and Statewide Contracts. This workshop is for all bidders interested in learning how to submit an effective Plan. The training is designed to provide all bidders with the necessary information, resources, tools, and skills to complete a Plan for all types of solicitations.
Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA)
	The Massachusetts School Building Authority (“MSBA”) is a quasi-independent government authority created to reform the process of funding capital improvement projects in the Commonwealth’s public schools. The MSBA strives to work with local communities to create affordable, sustainable, and energy efficient schools across Massachusetts.

Register for an Instructor-led Business Development Session

Current session Offering List