Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprises (M/WBE)

What is M/WBE?

Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprises (M/WBEs) are for-profit businesses that are at least 51% owned and operated by a minority and/or a woman.

New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) also known as the NYC Department of Education (DOE) has contracts with a wide range of vendors in varying industries. These vendors are utilized to purchase goods/services in areas where there are existing needs. Employing reliable and dependable vendors ensures that our diverse community and student body receives the high-quality education they deserve. To that end, NYCPS’ Office of Supplier Diversity (OSD) routinely and diligently searches for talented vendors and qualified suppliers within our communities. The agency encourages Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprises (M/WBEs) participation in NYCPS contract opportunities. We are committed to ensuring that M/WBEs wholly contribute as we work to further diversify the procurement process.

Important Notice to All Prospective Contractors – Please Review

Mission

New York City Public Schools Office of Supplier Diversity's mission is to foster meaningful participation of diverse suppliers by identifying and creating business opportunities for Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprises (M/WBEs). This will ensure that goods and services needed to provide a quality education, include a vendor pool that is representative of our diverse communities and student population. 

What is Supplier Diversity?

Supplier Diversity is a proactive business practice that encourages the use of historically underutilized businesses as suppliers (vendors). This often includes business enterprises that are owned, operated and controlled by women and/or members of designated minority groups including Black, Hispanic, Asian-Pacific, Asian-Indian and Native American (M/WBE).

M/WBE Certification

To determine your eligibility for New York City Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE) Certification, please begin by completing our eligibility checklist on the MWBE Eligibility Form (note: this does not certify your business as NYCPS is NOT a certifying agency). This form is intended only to help determine M/WBE eligibility. See additional details on the form for official MWBE certification requirements, also available in the link below.

Interested in becoming a Certified M/WBE Vendor?

M/WBEs can become certified by New York City Small Business Services (SBS) and/or New York State Empire State Development (ESD). To learn more about the M/WBE certification process, the benefits of being certified and to apply for certification, please visit the websites linked below.

New York City M/WBE Certification via NYC Small Business Services: 

M/WBE Certification: Access to the application
Email for help: MWBE@sbs.nyc.gov
Helpline: (212) 513-6311
Classes (in-person assistance) Calendar of Courses
Small Business Services Certification Webinar Information

New York State M/WBE Certification via Empire State Development: 

New York State MWBE Application
Email for help: MWBEcertification@esdny.gov
MWBE Helpline: (212) 803-2414

Procurement Overview

New York City Public Schools

The Division of Contracts and Purchasing (DCP) is the procurement arm for NYCPS. This office establishes contracts for all goods and services.

What does NYCPS purchase?

Many of the larger New York City Public Schools procurements are centered around educational supplies and programs for both students and teachers. As the largest school district in the country, we also have large contracts for the purchase of professional development services, office supplies, custodial supplies, health services, special education related services, as well as I.T. and facilities support. NYCPS projects typically include parts, labor, and maintenance. In addition, individual schools and program offices directly procure smaller needs, often on a non-contracted basis.

To learn more about current procurement opportunities, please visit the NYCPS Open DOE Solicitations page. Also, for illustrative purposes, consider reviewing our previously awarded solicitations .

How do I join the NYCPS Bidder's List?

To join the NYCPS bidders list, vendors must register with the Vendor Portal. The Vendor Portal allows vendors to view current NYCPS solicitations and automatically receive notification of new solicitations as they become available. From the Vendor Portal, vendors can also download solicitation documents and control which notifications are emailed based on specific product/service categories selected.

Please note, NYCPS' Vendor Portal is a different system from the City of New York's Payee Information portal (PIP) and PASSPort

MWBE VENDOR SPOTLIGHT

How is NYCPS Creating Opportunities for M/WBEs?

NYCPS recognizes the importance of diversity in procurement. As a result, NYCPS engage in initiatives to enhance the abilities of Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprises (M/WBEs) to compete and meaningfully participate in the procurement process. One way we are doing this is by utilizing the MWBE Procurement & Contract Method to solicit City-certified M/WBE firms in discretionary solicitations not exceeding $1,500,000.  For more details, please visit the MWBE PCM page (MWBE Procurement & Contract Method)

Leru Multi‑Service Agency, led by Sharlene LeGendre, is a certified Minority Woman‑Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) dedicated to advancing student well‑being across New York City Public Schools (NYCPS). Through its innovative program, AssessED, Leru delivers a comprehensive digital mental health platform designed specifically for school communities. The platform is trauma‑informed and equity‑centered, enabling schools to assess, track, and respond to students’ mental health and social‑emotional needs with real‑time precision. FERPA‑approved, AssessED is more than a data system—it represents a paradigm shift in how schools identify needs and deliver timely, meaningful support.

In 2020, Leru applied to Multiple Task Award Contract (MTAC) and was selected as the lead Community‑Based Organization (CBO) for two NYC Public Schools. In this role, Leru successfully delivered tailored, ethical, and responsive service models that addressed school‑specific needs, closed service gaps, and strengthened community partnerships.

As a result of sustained performance and a strong commitment to outcome‑driven programming, Leru continues to grow its partnership with NYC Public Schools. For more than a decade, Leru’s work across NYCPS has been guided by a commitment to trauma‑informed care, community collaboration, and data‑driven service delivery that supports students and families.

Leru Multi‑Service Agency’s continued success reflects the power of MWBE partnerships in fostering equity, innovation, and opportunity across NYC Public Schools.

NYC Public Schools M/WBE Vendor Resources

Vendor Portal View current NYC Public Schools solicitations and receive notification of new solicitations as they become available. You can also view solicitation requirements and download all necessary documents.

View quick overviews of current DOE Solicitations by the type of contract (i.e., RFB, RFP, MTAC).

For Subcontracting Opportunities please see our Notice of Minority/Women-owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) Subcontracting Opportunity Page

DOE Vendor Hotline at (718) 935-2000 or via email at VendorHotline@schools.nyc.gov

Key Definitions: Definitions for commonly used terms in the NYC Public Schools procurement process.

Trainings

Attend one of our monthly “How to Do Business with NYC Public Schools" M/WBE webinars.
Participate in one of our Learning Series webinars, or M/WBE events.
View the Upcoming MWBE Vendor Training Schedule to register

External Vendor Resources

What resources are available to help me review my submission to the NYCPS?

NYC SBS Solutions Centers, Procurement Technical Assistance Centers, America’s Small Business Development Centers, and the M/WBE Leadership Association can provide a wide range of procurement contract assistance for free. These organizations can assist with M/WBE certification, market analysis, securing financing, and completing a NYC Public Schools bid/proposal before submission.