The City of New Orleans is supporting its disadvantaged business enterprises (DBEs) with a Set-Aside Program, earmarking up to 25 percent of specific city contracts for these businesses. The initiative is designed to foster wealth growth and provide a more equitable opportunity for minority business owners and small businesses to thrive and compete for city contracts. According to the city’s official announcement, this program aims to level the playing field, giving these businesses a chance at contracts typically taken by larger firms.
Registration figures, however, tell a story of engagement that is less than expected—with a mere sliver having signed up on the City's BRASS database so far, necessary for participation. Over two thousand DBEs are already certified, but the number that has taken the next step to register on BRASS is not where it needs to be.
The BRASS supplier portal is pivotal. It’s the entry point for DBEs to put their name in the hat for city contract consideration, providing a digital toolkit for handling solicitations, invoice uploads, payment tracking, and more. The path to inclusion in the Set-Aside Program demands not only a preexisting status as a certified DBE but also requires DBEs to navigate the online corridors of the BRASS system.
Help is available for those looking to register. Staff will be on hand at selected locations on specified dates to assist with the BRASS registration process. Those needing assistance can reach out to the Bureau of Purchasing at (504) 658-1550 for additional information. Moreover, city-certified DBEs looking to take advantage of this opportunity should mark their calendars for the newly announced on-site registration dates at Propeller and Stallings Recreation Center in early October, as mentioned in the city's statement.
