Encouraging Minority and Female Participation

The purpose of the Equal Business Opportunity (EBO) Certification Program is to identify bona fide minority groups (African-American, Hispanic, Asian-American and Native American) and female-owned enterprises and to help facilitate pre-determined participation goals in construction contracts and in the general purchase of goods and professional and non-professional services. Copies of the EBO Ordinance - Chapter 127 of the City's Code of Ordinances, EBO Plan Application, EBO Program, the MBE/FBE Directory and the MBE/FBE Certification Affidavit are available in the Office of Economic Development, 200 S. President Street, Room 223, Jackson, Mississippi.

The Review Process

EBO Plan - In accordance with the EBO Ordinance, prospective contractors, bidders or offerors must submit a complete Equal Business Opportunity Plan (EBO Application) with their bid submission. Bids will not be awarded until the Equal Business Opportunity Officer has approved the EBO Plan or granted a waiver. The City has established participation goals for each of the following categories: Architectural/Engineering & Professional, Construction, and Goods and Non-Professional Services.

The EBO Plan should contain the following:

• Names, addresses, and contact persons of the African-American Business Entities (AABEs), Hispanic Business Entities (HBEs), Asian Business Entities (ABEs), Native American Business Entities (NABEs) and/or Female Business Entities (FBEs) to be used in the contract

• Type of work or service each business will perform

• Dollar value of the work

• Scope of the work.

Contractors may employ AABEs, HBEs, ABEs, NABEs or FBEs to meet the applicable project or may meet the project goals by utilizing:

• Subcontractors

• MBE/FBE Suppliers

• Joint Venture Agreements

• Mentor-Protege Agreements

Suggestions for completing the Bid Package:

Once you have received your Bid Package follow the steps below to comply with the EBO Ordinance:

• Complete the EBO Application and search the City of Jackson's Certified Minority Business Enterprise Listing online.

• If you are not able to locate a minority on our site to use as a sub-contractor, you must provide a waiver statement on your letterhead requesting a waiver of the City of Jackson EBO goals. You must show a good faith effort by providing certified mailing where you tried to contact minorities to participate on this project.

Contact: