Disadvantaged, Minority, and Small Business Assistance, and Contract Compliance

Procurement Non-Discrimination Program

The Procurement Non-Discrimination Program is a procurement based program designed to increase purchases from minorities and women. It is authorized by Metro Ordinance BL2008-161 and was proposed by the Mayor’s Office in March of 2008. The ordinance was adopted by the Metropolitan Council in April of 2008 and signed into law by Mayor Dean later that month. The ordinance also creates the Office of Minority and Women Business Assistance which will be charged with administering the Procurement Non-Discrimination Program.

This race neutral program strives to promote equal opportunity, accountability and to ensure that the City does not passively participate in private discrimination. It does not create goals, quotas or set-asides and does not replace the existing small business program.

Accepted Certifying Entities

Pursuant to BL2008-161, the Office of Minority and Women Business Assistance (Business Assistance Office [BAO]) is responsible for verifying the certification of Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs) that desire to participate in the Procurement Non-discrimination Program (PNP). The BAO does not certify Minority and Women Owned Businesses (MWBEs), however does accept the certificates of other entities. In order for MWBEs to participate in the Procurement Non-discrimination Program, they must be registered to do business with the City of Nashville and must be certified as an Minority Owned Business (MBE), Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) under the federal program governed by 49CFR26or a Woman Owned Business (WBE) by one of the below entities. Metro does not have its own separate certification program.