North Carolina Seeks Small Business Input on State Contract
The NC Department of Administration is gathering feedback to redesign its Small Business Enterprise Program following the legislature's elimination of the
The North Carolina Department of Administration (DOA) is asking small business owners for input as it redesigns the state's Small Business Enterprise (SBE) Program. This initiative helps small firms compete for government contracts, and the DOA is using community forums, an online portal, and expert roundtables to collect suggestions.
This outreach follows the NC General Assembly's elimination of the Office for Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) in July. That 27-year-old program, which worked with thousands of businesses, was abruptly halted as part of the state budget. The legislature also moved the SBE program from the defunct HUB office to the DOA's Division of Purchase and Contract.
"While we mourn the loss of HUB, we want to make the most of this opportunity to continue to support small businesses that want to provide goods and services to state government," said Administration Secretary Gabe Esparza. He stated the agency wants to know business owners' needs and their vision for the program's future.
Community Forums Scheduled
Secretary Esparza will participate in four locally hosted community forums throughout September. Business owners can attend to share their perspectives directly with state officials.
The schedule for the announced forums is as follows:
| Date | Time | Location | City | Registration Link/Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sept. 10 | 10 am-2 pm | International Civil Rights Center & Museum, 134 S. Elm Street | Greensboro | "HUB Office is Gone... Now What" |
| Sept. 21 | 3-4:30 pm | ReCity, 112 Broadway Street, Suite B | Durham | "Let’s Talk Business" (registration forthcoming) |
| Sept. 26 | 11 am-2:30 pm | Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center, 600 E. Fourth Street | Charlotte | "Forward Together!" (deadline 9/18) |
| Sept. 29 | Details forthcoming | Details forthcoming | Greenville | Details forthcoming |
Business owners can also provide feedback online through a form on the NCDOA website.
Roundtable Participants
In addition to the public forums, Secretary Esparza will hold informal roundtable discussions with small business owners and stakeholders. The DOA has listed a diverse group of participants for these conversations.
They include representatives from business communities, state and local government, academia, and organizations familiar with government contracting. Named participants range from Jose Alvarez of Prospera USA and Raj Bhandari, President of Sciencix, to local government figures like Charlotte Mayor Pro-Tem James "Smuggie" Mitchell and academic expert Crista Cuccaro from the UNC School of Government.
Program Eligibility and Future
The current Small Business Enterprise Program remains open for applications. Eligibility is limited to for-profit businesses headquartered in North Carolina that meet specific size criteria.
| Eligibility Criteria | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Must be in North Carolina |
| Business Type | For-profit |
| Employee Count | 100 or fewer |
| Annual Net Income | Must not exceed $1,500,000 (after cost of goods sold) |
Interested and eligible businesses can apply for SBE certification and find more information on the NC DOA program website. The DOA is collaborating with the Governor’s Office, the NC Department of Commerce, the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, and the NC Department of Transportation. Their shared goal is to launch a revamped Small Business Enterprise program by early 2027.
