Photo of the Mexican American Cultural Center

Opening the door to opportunities.

The Small & Minority Business Resources Department (SMBR) administers the Minority- Owned, Women-Owned, and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Procurement Programs for the City of Austin.

Our mission is to promote access and equity on City of Austin contracts, providing economic opportunity to small, minority-owned, women-owned, and disadvantaged businesses.

The City’s MBE/WBE/DBE department:

  • Promotes and encourages minority, women, and disadvantaged business owners to participate in business opportunities with the City of Austin;

  • Assist certified businesses and businesses seeking certification with learning about opportunities available on the 2016 Corridor Mobility Bond

Divisions of SMBR: Certification, Compliance, and Resources.

News and Events

Modification of Services - Staff continues to Telework

The Small & Minority Business Resources Department (SMBR) continues to adhere to a modified schedule of our operations. Our staff will be operating in a teleworking environment to ensure social distancing in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

SMBR will continue this effort through January 2021

Staff will be addressing questions and providing customer services through emails and phone calls. We are doing this in an effort to maintain the health and safety of our employees and the community at large.

For more information on Minority-Owned Business Enterprise (MBE), Women-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE) and/or Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) certifications and programs, please visit:

If you have any questions, please reach us at SMBR@austintexas.gov or call 512.974.7600

COVID-19 : Corona Virus Notices

Austin's Economic Recovery Grants & Assistance Programs

The City of Austin's is currently accepting grant applications from small businesses and non-profit organizations facing hardships due to the COVID-19 pandemic:

  • RENT 2.0 - Relief for Emergency Needs of Tenants Assistance Program
  • City of Austin Utility Bill Relief - Residential customers experiencing financial hardships as well as those impacted by COVID-19 can receive help with their utility bills.

Visit ATXrecovers.com for Economic Recovery information.

2020 Disparity Study

The City of Austin (“City”) is conducting a Disparity Study of its Minority- Women-Owned Business Enterprise (“M/WBE”) and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (“DBE”) programs to ensure that M/W/DBEs have equal access to contracting opportunities and that the City’s current programs remain legally defensible and administratively successful.

Your participation and input are a critical part of the study process.

Disparity Study Kick Off presentation from April 16, 2020 here.

For more information on the Disparity Study and how you can participate, visit http://austin.disparity-study.com

2016 Corridor Mobility Bond

Doing Business with Tesla & Travis County

Travis County staff has asked SMBR to spread the word on potential contracting opportunities. If you're interested in opportunities with Tesla, visit https://tesla.ecomply.us/ and preregister.

If there are any specific questions related to the pre-qualification process, take a look at the presentation below and field your questions to ecomply@tesla.com. 

Tesla: Travis County Gigafactory Texas Outreach to Certified Firms 9.16.2020

Notice of Upcoming Solicitations from Tesla

Purchasing

Minority- and Women-Owned (MBE/WBE) Reports