SHELTERED MARKET PROGRAM SUMMARY (Updated from March 2022) To promote equity and inclusion in our contracting, on Thursday, August 25, 2022 the City of Boston established a Sheltered Market Program (SMP). The City will designate eligible contracts as being available only to certified minority-owned and women-owned (M/WBE) bidders. This program authorization is valid until June 30, 2025. Only firms owned by groups with proven disparities will be eligible to bid. Here's how we calculate disparity: The City's 2021 Disparity Study measured the percentage of city contracts that went to M/WBE firms. It then counted the businesses available to perform each type of work, and what percentage of them were M/WBE. It then compared these two analyses. The difference between these two measurements is the disparity. The contracts will be for professional services, support services, or goods. Different groups will be eligible for different types of contracts. These specific eligibility criteria will be determined and announced for each contract. To ensure competition, there are two other major differences from normal procurements. At any given time, a business may not have more than one active contract awarded through a Sheltered Market Program. A business may also not have more than 3 contracts awarded through a Sheltered Market Program within a 12 month period. To learn more about the program and see the full procedures, visit boston.gov/sheltered-market. If you would like to be eligible, you should get your business certified now by using our online application at boston.gov/certified-business-application. If you have any questions, please contact our office at supplierdiversity@ boston.gov. Filed with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Supplier Diversity Office and Secretary of State on 08-31-2022 SHELTERED MARKET PROGRAM SUMMARY ( Updated from March 2022 ) To promote equity and inclusion in our contracting , on Thursday , August 25 , 2022 the City of Boston established a Sheltered Market Program ( SMP ) . The City will designate eligible contracts as being available only to certified minority - owned and women - owned ( M / WBE ) bidders . This program authorization is valid until June 30 , 2025 . Only firms owned by groups with proven disparities will be eligible to bid . Here's how we calculate disparity : The City's 2021 Disparity Study measured the percentage of city contracts that went to M / WBE firms . It then counted the businesses available to perform each type of work , and what percentage of them were M / WBE . It then compared these two analyses . The difference between these two measurements is the disparity . The contracts will be for professional services , support services , or goods . Different groups will be eligible for different types of contracts . These specific eligibility criteria will be determined and announced for each contract . To ensure competition , there are two other major differences from normal procurements . At any given time , a business may not have more than one active contract awarded through a Sheltered Market Program . A business may also not have more than 3 contracts awarded through a Sheltered Market Program within a 12 month period . To learn more about the program and see the full procedures , visit boston.gov/sheltered-market . If you would like to be eligible , you should get your business certified now by using our online application at boston.gov/certified-business-application . If you have any questions , please contact our office at supplierdiversity @ boston.gov . Filed with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Supplier Diversity Office and Secretary of State on 08-31-2022