On Feb. 24, the D.C. Department of General Services' Capital Construction Division teamed up with the DC Chamber of Commerce, the Department of Small and Local Business Development and several partner agencies to play matchmaker between small businesses, Certified Business Enterprises and big prime contractors. The goal was straightforward: help local firms get in position for the next wave of RFK campus redevelopment contracts as the massive project moves into a new phase.
The matchmaking session, listed on the DC Chamber’s calendar, brought vendors and prime contractors together for presolicitation conversations and one-on-one meetings, according to the DC Chamber of Commerce. In a Facebook post, the Department of General Services said its Capital Construction Division joined the RFK Business Access & Matchmaking Exchange to connect small businesses and CBEs with prime contractors and District agencies, and included a link to its active solicitations page on the agency website; the post is available on the DGS Facebook page.
Mayor Muriel Bowser's administration has been urging businesses to get "RFK-ready" by, among other things, applying for Certified Business Enterprise status as part of a broader procurement push outlined by the DC Department of Small and Local Business Development. Department of Small and Local Business Development has also flagged related outreach efforts and the FY26 Green Book as key tools for local firms, while the Mayor's team set a $1.5 billion spending goal for District purchases from small businesses in the FY26 Green Book launch, according to the Mayor's Office.
How to Get RFK Ready
Agency officials told vendors that the first practical moves are getting certified and locking in to the right procurement feeds. The Department of General Services' active solicitations page links to its new e-procurement portal, current solicitations and step-by-step filing guidance for vendors. The Department of General Services lists upcoming RFPs, CBE set-asides and instructions on how businesses can track amendments and addenda through the OpenGov portal.
Why the Matchmaking Matters
Redevelopment of the roughly 190-acre RFK campus is expected to play out over multiple years, and city officials say bringing contractors into the conversation early helps keep more of the work - and the benefits - anchored in the local economy. Events DC has been promoting the #RFKReady push and short-term project pieces that will be bundled into procurement packages.
Small firms that want a real shot at this work are being urged to confirm CBE status, subscribe to DGS procurement notifications and use matchmaking events to connect directly with prime contractors and agency buyers. For current lists and sign-up options, businesses can check the active solicitations page at the Department of General Services and watch for additional opportunities from the Department of Small and Local Business Development and the DC Chamber of Commerce.
