DPS offers 19 free workshops presented quarterly to educate citizens and business owners about the fundamentals of procurement and the latest developments in procurement and certification.

For more information and to register for workshops go to www.cityofchicago.org/dpsevents

All Access to Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities

Wednesday, April 4, 2018 | Workshop Time:  2:00 PM - 3:00 PM | City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle. 1st Flr. Room 103

Meet the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities as they discuss the programs they offer for the disabled community with a focus on entrepreneurs. Additionally, DPS will present an overview of the programs and incentives offered including the certification for Business Enterprises Owned or Operated by People with Disabilities (BEPD), which includes service-disabled veterans.

We are Family! Doing Business with Sister Agencies

Wednesday, April 4, 2018 | Workshop Time: 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM | City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle, 11th Floor, Room 1103

Interested in doing business beyond the City of Chicago but not sure where to start? This workshop welcomes guest presentations that outlines the roles and responsibilities of how to do business with the City of Chicago's six sister agencies: Chicago Public Schools (CPS), City Colleges of Chicago (CCC), Public Building Commission (PBC), Chicago Housing Authority (CHA), Chicago Park District (CPD) and Chicago Transit Authority (CTA). Please note that government agencies change for each session.

Featured Sister Agencies:

• Chicago Public Schools
• City Colleges of Chicago

 How to Navigate the DPS Website

Wednesday, April 11, 2018 | Workshop Time: 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM | City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle, 1st Flr. Room 103

The DPS website is the best place to find a wealth of resources relating to City procurement. Recently, the City of Chicago has refreshed the look of each department website and some things have changed. This workshop will take you through the new look and feel of the website as well as all the resources that are available and how to find them. Learn how to: locate upcoming opportunities, bid tabulations, information about awarded contracts, how to identify primes and Chicago certified subcontractors, City auctions, upcoming outreach events and how to stay informed of all the latest news and updates.

DPS Incentives & Programs: Getting The Most From Your Bids

Wednesday, April 18, 2018 | Workshop Time: 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM | 121 N. LaSalle, 11th Floor, Room 1103

DPS has made it a priority to ensure that all interested businesses have the opportunity, information, and resources to compete for City contracts. This workshop will feature incentives and programs created to increase the diversity of the businesses that bid on and earn City Contracts. Come learn about comprehensive information on ways to grow your business, increase capacity, foster mutually beneficial business relationships, and be more competitive on City contracts. Learn about the Small Business Initiative, BEPD Incentive, M/WBE Mentorship Program, Veteran-Owned Business Enterprise (VBE), and many more.

The ABCs of DBE and ACDBE Certification

Wednesday, April 18, 2018 | Workshop Time: 3:15 PM - 4:15 PM | City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle, 11th Floor, Room 1103

This workshop provides an overview of the City's Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) programs. Come learn about the application process and benefits of certification as part of the Illinois Unified Certification process with the City of Chicago, Illinois Department of Transportation, Chicago Transit Authority, Metra, and Pace.

Introduction to eProcurement

Thursday, April 19, 2018 | Workshop Time: 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM | City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle, 11th Floor, Room 1103

DPS is continuing on the next phase of start-to-finish purchasing modernization via the implementation of a comprehensive eProcurement system. eProcurement applies digital technology to the acquisition of goods and services. It will allow DPS to collaborate with City Departments to create solicitations and contracts online, greatly reducing the time it takes to complete procurements. Come watch a demonstration and learn about iSupplier registration, how vendors will submit bids and proposals online, and how to view contracts and payments.

How to Become Certified

Wednesday, April 25, 2018 | Workshop Time: 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM | City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle, 1st Flr. Room 103

DPS is the certifying agency for the following certifications: Minority-Owned Business Enterprise (MBE), Women-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE), Veteran-Owned Business (VBE), Business Enterprise for People with Disabilities (BEPD), Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE).This workshop will provide detailed information on who is qualified to be a Chicago certified firm. Learn about what documents are needed when submitting an application and how to avoid the most common mistakes in the certification process. Subject matter experts will be on-hand to answer all your questions about common certification topics.

Procurement Fundamentals: Doing Business with the City of Chicago

Wednesday, April 25, 2018 | Workshop Time: 3:15 PM - 4:15 PM | City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle, 1st Flr. Room 103 

Do you have questions about how to become a successful bidder on City contracting opportunities? Unsure where to begin? This informational workshop highlights the role and responsibility of DPS in the City's purchasing process. Come learn about different procurement methods and the laws which govern the procurement process. Once completed, you will better understand what it takes before you start the bidding process and your responsibilities after you have won a contract with the City of Chicago.