Office Of Business Diversity Frequently Asked Questions

Bidding

Who can do business with the City of Arlington?

Any person, business, or corporate entity, under most circumstances, is eligible to become a City vendor.

Where can I find information about upcoming bids, quotes, and proposals?

We recommend business become registered vendors to be notified about current bids, quotes & proposals.

Suppliers can access the city’s website to find the following information:

Where can I register with the City of Arlington?

Sign up on the City’s Supplier Portal.

Certifications

City of Arlington Office of Business Diversity recognized Certifications from the following Agencies

  • North Central Texas Regional Certification Agency
  • State of Texas Historically Underutilized Business Program
  • Texas Unified Certification Program entities (DBE certification only)
  • DFW Minority Supplier Development Council and affiliates
  • Woman’s Business Council-Southwest and affiliates
  • Small Business Administration 8(a) certification only

Does the City recognize DBE and SBE certifications?

DBE, MBE and WBE certifications can be counted towards the goal. SBE certification cannot be counted toward the City’s MWBE goal.

MWBE Requirements

Can a vendor self-perform to meet the MWBE requirements?

Yes - The MWBE prime’s percentage of self-performed work will be counted toward the project specific goal. If the MWBE prime’s participation falls short of the project specific goal, the remaining percentage can either be met using MWBE subcontractors or prime must submit Good Faith Effort with supporting documents.

Do we need to meet a % goal for subcontracting to other MWBE’s when we can self-perform all aspects of the category specific scope?

The goal can be met either at the prime level or the subcontractor level (or a combination of both). There are no minimum subcontracting requirements.

If bidding prime contractor is a certified MWBE, how does prime contractor document for their self-performed scopes as part of the project goal?

Prime contractor’s scopes are documented on the MWBE Utilization Plan sheet that is submitted at time of bid.

If bidding prime contractor is a certified MWBE and meets or exceeds the project goal on their self-performed scopes, does the prime contractor need to submit the Letter of Intent to Subcontract form and Good Faith Effort Checklist 2 business days after bid?

Letters of Intent should be submitted for any MWBE subconsultant the prime is planning on utilizing for the project.

If a supplier is MWBE does the value of those materials used for the project count towards the project goal

Yes, materials used for the project purchased from a MWBE suppliers count towards the project goal.

If the bidding prime contractor request a City of Arlington qualified MWBE list, does that request counts towards prime’s good faith effort.

Yes, so long as the bidding prime reached out in good faith to those on the list.

MWBE Forms

Does only the prime need to fill out the second page of the MWBE Utilization Plan form? Or is the second page required for the prime firm and each subconsultant?

The Prime will fill out the second page and include the information for itself and for all of its subconsultants.

The MWBE Utilization Plan asks for “Anticipated Dollar ($) of Work” for each subconsultant. Will an approximate percentage of total project be acceptable?

Yes - an approximate percentage of total work will be acceptable.

Are MWBE suppliers documented on the MWBE Utilization Plan Sheet that is submitted at time of bid?

Yes, suppliers are to document on the MWBE Utilization Plan as well.

Does the Letter of Intent to Subcontract need to be submitted for MWBE suppliers?

If you are subcontracting with any MWBE vendors, they must be listed on your utilization plan, and there needs to be a Letter of Intent form signed by the prime and MWBE subcontractor and turned by the deadline on the Special Contract Provision Form.

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