Affirmative Market Program Overview
Overview
The Affirmative Market Program was established to promote equality in the state contracting market by ensuring full participation of minority and women owned business enterprises (M/WBEs) in all areas of state contracting including construction, design, goods and services. Find out about opportunities in the state contracting market for minority and women owned business enterprises, and for resources & guidance to assist vendors in completing their AMP Plan.
For any questions on the Commonwealth's Affirmative Market Program please contact our office.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Operational Services Division
Affirmative Market Program
Room 1017
1 Ashburton Place
Boston, MA 02108
Help Desk Email: amp@osd.state.ma.us
Phone: 617-720-3359 Fax: 617-727-4527
Gladymar Parziale, Acting Executive Director - Tel: 617-720-3166
Maria D. Gonzalez, Business Coordinator - Tel: 617-720-3177
Donna Fleser, Executive Assistant - Tel: 617-720-3103
Affirmative Market Objectives:
- Assist in fostering relationships between M/WBEs and state agencies.
- Enhance the utilization of M/WBEs within state contracting to facilitate their economic development.
- Address obstacles to full participation of M/WBEs in the state procurement process in order to reflect the rich diversity of the citizens of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
- Educate and empower M/WBEs to ensure their full involvement.
- Provide outreach to local communities and businesses.
- Publish the Affirmative Market Program Annual Report, highlighting M/WBE participation.
Please share your notes, suggestions and success stories via email to amp@osd.state.ma.us
Since its inception in 1991, the Affirmative Market Program has made a great impact on the level of participation for minority and women businesses in state contracting. Executive Order 390, signed in August of 1996 by then Governor Weld and Lt. Governor Cellucci, replacing EO 237, allows both minority and women business entrepreneurs to participate in the Affirmative Market Program. EO 390 establishes a policy to promote the award of state contracts in a manner that develops and strengthens certified Minority and Women Business Enterprises (M/WBEs), because a diverse business community strengthens the economy and is beneficial to all of the citizens of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Subject to the approval of the Secretary of Administration and Finance or his/her designee all participating state departments and authorities shall set annual benchmarks for spending with certified minority- and women-owned businesses.
Vendor Certification
SOMWBA certification qualifies businesses to participate in the Affirmative Market Program.
The State Office of Minority and Women Business Assistance (SOMWBA) is an agency within the Department of Business and Technology which promotes the development of certified minority-owned (MBE), women-owned (WBE) and minority-women-owned (M/WBE) business enterprises, including minority-controlled (M/NPO), women-controlled (W/NPO) and minority-women-controlled (W/NPO) non-profit organizations. It does this by facilitating their participation in Massachusetts business and economic development opportunities. Specifically, SOMWBA offers services in certification, enforcement, business assistance and advocacy.
Certification is the process by which SOMWBA reviews and investigates applicants who seek to participate in affirmative business opportunities to determine that they meet the requirements of state and federal statutes and regulations. SOMWBA certification is a marketing tool used to enhance a firm's ability to do business in public markets. Although certification does not guarantee that a business will be successful every time it bids, it may add a competitive edge to firms seeking contracts with the government.
Finally, SOMWBA publicizes a directory of certified minority- and women-owned business enterprises and certified minority- and women-controlled non-profit organizations on its website. The website also lists information on how to become certified and provides a calendar of workshops held around the state.