Harrisburg, PA – Since taking office, the Shapiro-Davis Administration has grown state contracting opportunities for small businesses (SBs), small diverse businesses (SDBs), and veteran business enterprises (VBEs) and continues to launch comprehensive training and outreach programs to help guide them through registering with the state and bidding on Commonwealth contracts. Workshops, increased outreach initiatives, and the recently introduced Mentor Protégé Program (MPP) that pairs seasoned prime contractors with the owners of SBs, SDBs, and VBEs, are helping these businesses improve management and bidding skills needed to acquire Commonwealth business. DGS has held more than 70 outreach events across the Commonwealth since the beginning of the Shapiro-Davis Administration, reaching over 3,000 Pennsylvania business owners who want to learn more about state contracting.
“The Shapiro-Davis Administration is working hard to reach out to small businesses and help them get in the game when it comes to pursuing contracts with the Commonwealth,” said Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, who chairs the Pennsylvania Advisory Council for Inclusive Procurement (PACIP). “Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and the beating heart of so many Pennsylvania communities. By supporting these businesses, we’re creating ladders of opportunity and helping Pennsylvanians to create jobs and generational wealth."
Initiated under Executive Order 2023-18 signed by Governor Shapiro in September 2023, the MPP is one of several measures the Department of General Services (DGS) is leading to expand Commonwealth contracting opportunities, outreach, and training for SBs, SDBs, and VBEs. Additional efforts include:
- Updating the Commonwealth's definition of a SB by raising the revenue limit from $38.5 million to $47 million, helping more SBs, SDBs, and VBEs to compete for state business contracts.
- Increasing outreach efforts to help more SBs, SDBs, and VBEs secure state contracting opportunities. Each month, DGS’ Bureau of Diversity, Inclusion, and Small Business Opportunities (BDISBO) issues a Notice of Forthcoming Procurements and a Notice of Forthcoming Construction Opportunities to over 5,000 SB and SDB advocates and stakeholder organizations registered with BDISBO.
- Leading and coordinating efforts with other Commonwealth agencies and the PACIP to advise Commonwealth agencies on ways to make state contracting opportunities more inclusive.
- Reducing the time it takes to certify a small business with DGS by 33 percent and implementing a prompt pay policy to ensure non-construction prime contractors pay subcontractors within 10 days of receiving payment from the Commonwealth.
“At DGS, we are committed to providing Pennsylvania’s small businesses the tools, training, and opportunities they need to succeed in the Commonwealth's contracting environment,” said DGS Secretary Reggie McNeil. “By launching initiatives like the Mentor Protégé Program and expanding our outreach efforts, we're not just opening doors—we're breaking down barriers that have historically kept small, diverse, and veteran-owned businesses from thriving. The Shapiro-Davis Administration is committed to empowering these businesses to grow, compete, and contribute to the economic vitality of our state.”
On Sept. 9, the Commonwealth hosted its largest and most comprehensive informational outreach event of the year - the Second Annual Small Business Empowerment Summit in Harrisburg. More than 400 individuals attended the event, which featured remarks from Gov. Shapiro, U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, and Secretary McNeil, in addition to panel discussions, networking opportunities, and presentations on the latest initiatives designed to streamline the procurement process for small businesses.
Pennsylvania small businesses can find more information and resources at pa.gov/smalldiversebusiness.