Minority, Women Owned, Emerging Small Business and Service-Disabled Veteran Business Enterprises (MWESB SDVBE) Requirements and Reports

OHCS requires sponsors to seek Certification Office for Business Inclusion and Diversity (COBID) and non-COBID MWESB professional firms to increase the participation level of minority-owned businesses in its construction project. OHCS also encourages the use of local labor and partnering with the community to help build healthy, affordable homes, which addresses OHCS's goal of increasing apprenticeship programs in Oregon and improving economic and social vitality.

The general contractor and developer may use and include non-COBID Black, indigenous, and People of Color and other qualifying firms. The non-COBID firms can self-certify as a qualified MWESB firm if they meet the COBID firm requirements and are encouraged to complete their certification with the COBID office by the end of construction.

Why MWESB/SDVBE?

Oregon Housing & Community Services (OHCS) is committed to advance diversity within its work by incentivizing affordable housing developers to contract with MWESB and SDVBE businesses or historically underutilized businesses. 

What is COBID Certification? 

Regulated by Business Oregon, COBID certifies MWESB SVDBE business owners interested in contracting with state, county, and city government agencies. The primary goal of certification is to level the playing field by providing certified firms a fair opportunity to compete for government contracts regardless of owner ethnicity, gender, disability, or firm size.

Download the fact sheet