Houston buys through dozens of agencies, from the City and Harris County to Port Houston, METRO and Houston Airports, each with its own portal and rules. As a government contracting consultant for Houston small businesses, GERC handles the registrations, certifications and bids so you can focus on the work. We serve Houston clients remotely from California.
City of Houston certifications
The City’s Office of Business Opportunity (OBO) certifies firms for city contracting goals.
- MBE, WBE, SBE and PDBE (local certifications, valid three years)
- DBE and ACDBE (U.S. DOT programs, updated each year)
- Veteran-owned certifications (VOSB and SDVOSB), added January 1, 2026
- Applications are filed at houston.mwdbe.com
After its 2024 disparity study, the City updated its program: separate MBE, WBE and SBE goals began November 1, 2025, and SBE now applies across spending categories. For DBE work, U.S. DOT finalized its new DBE rules on September 25, 2026. There is no longer a presumption of disadvantage based on race or sex: every applicant must submit a personal narrative showing individual disadvantage and a personal net worth statement, and certifying agencies must re-evaluate existing DBE firms by December 24, 2026.
Where Houston agencies post bids
- City of Houston: Beacon Bid, after registering on SAP Business Network (Ariba)
- Harris County: Bonfire (harriscountytx.bonfirehub.com)
- Port Houston: Workday Strategic Sourcing, with its own small business program
- Houston Airports: contracting opportunities at George Bush Intercontinental and Hobby
- METRO, Houston ISD and other school districts: their own vendor portals
- Federal: Army Corps of Engineers, NASA Johnson Space Center and others through SAM.gov
How GERC helps Houston businesses win
- Free readiness call: what you sell, who buys it in Houston, and what you are missing
- Registrations: SAM.gov, the Texas CMBL and City, County and Port portals
- Certifications: OBO MBE/WBE/SBE, DBE, Texas HUB for veteran-owned firms, and SBA programs
- Bid targeting and bid writing
Example: how a Houston electrical contractor would get started
This is an illustration of our process, not a client story.
A small electrical contractor in southwest Houston wants public work. We register it on SAP Business Network and Beacon Bid for the City, Bonfire for Harris County, and SAM.gov for federal jobs. If its owners qualify, we prepare OBO MBE and SBE certification so primes on City projects can count it toward their goals. Then we watch upcoming City, Port Houston and airport construction bids and introduce it to prime contractors.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get certified as an MBE or WBE in Houston?
Apply through the City’s Office of Business Opportunity at houston.mwdbe.com. Local certifications last three years. GERC prepares and files the application for you.
Where do I find City of Houston bids?
On Beacon Bid. You first register as a supplier on SAP Business Network.
Is Houston DBE certification affected by the new U.S. DOT rules?
Yes. DBE applicants now need a personal narrative and net worth statement, and existing DBEs are being re-evaluated by December 24, 2026.
Who can help my Houston business with government contracts?
GERC (Global Economic Research Consulting), a woman-owned small business, handles SAM.gov, City and County registration, certifications and bids for Houston firms. SAM.gov registration starts at $899. Call (909) 454-7076 or book a consultation.
Win government contracts in Houston
Book a free 15-minute readiness call and we will map the registrations, certifications and bids that fit your business.
Related: Texas · Texas HUB Certification · Texas CMBL and ESBD · SAM.gov Registration · DBE Certification · Bid Writing Services