Office of Business Opportunity
Certification Overview - Benefits of Certification
Public Notice: Temporary Pause on MWSBE & PDBE Applications
As of September 26, 2025, the City of Houston Office of Business Opportunity (OBO) is temporarily pausing the acceptance of new applications for the following certifications:
- Minority Business Enterprise (MBE)
- Women Business Enterprise (WBE)
- Small Business Enterprise (SBE)
- Persons with Disabilities Business Enterprise (PDBE)
This pause will remain in effect until December 1, 2025.
What This Means for Businesses
- No new applications for MWSBE or PDBE certifications will be accepted during this period.
- Applications for Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) applications will be accepted during this period.
Why This Pause is Necessary
The Office of Business Opportunity is undertaking important upgrades to its certification program, including:
- System improvements to enhance efficiency.
- Policy updates to strengthen accountability.
- Streamlined procedures to reduce application turnaround times.
- Enhanced reporting tools to better serve businesses and City departments.
Support and Contact Information
For questions or additional guidance, please contact the OBO Certification Hotline at (832) 393-0600 (press option 1).
City of Houston
Office of Business Opportunity
There are many benefits to becoming certified with the City of Houston which include: eligibility to participate on goal oriented contracts, resources to educate, connect, and grow certified firms, and a wide variety of networking opportunities and events.
In fiscal year 2012 the City of Houston spent over 1 billion dollars on goods and services (procurements). Over 339 million dollars went to S/MWBE and DBE certified firms. Only firms certified by the City of Houston are eligible to fulfill goal requirements on City contracts.
Benefits of Certification:
- Listing in the City’s Online Directory of Certified Vendors
- Access to workshops, seminars, and quarterly newsletter Insights to Opportunity
- Bidding opportunities on goal oriented City contracts
- Specialized business development
- I'm Certified What's Next
City of Houston Certification is also accepted by the following agencies:
- METRO
- Port of Houston Authority
- Houston Independent School District
- Houston Community College
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- Houston Housing Authority
- Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
- Texas Department of Transportation
- Airport Transportation Agencies Statewide
Common Certification Agreements
The City of Houston has “Fast Track” certification agreements with the Houston Minority Supplier Development Council (HMSDC) and the Houston Women's Business Enterprise Alliance (WBEA). In addition, the City of Houston is a participant in the Texas Unified Certification Program, and the State of Texas Historically Underutilized Business Program.
Contact OBO
611 Walker Street, Seventh Floor
Houston, TX 77002
OBO Director
OBO Social Media
