Newark, Rutgers offer government contracting help

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Rutgers University Business School and the City of Newark said they will host an event for companies interested in competing for contracts with all levels of government.

The Business Certification Expo is scheduled for July 18 from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the school, 1 Washington Place in downtown Newark. Business owners will be able to apply for certification to submit requests for proposals and bid for contracts with state, county and city agencies. Officials from the city and other agencies will first provide an overview of the expo, then business owners will have the opportunity to meet with certifying agencies to ensure that their applications are complete.

“Many of Newark’s business owners and entrepreneurs are eager to strengthen our city, enhance our economy, and build their prosperity by bidding on contracts with government agencies in our region,” Newark Mayor Ras Baraka said in a statement. “However, there is often a ‘knowledge gap’ that prevents our business owners from gaining those contracts and reaching their full potential. This Expo will break down this gap, resulting in a more educated, empowered, and equitable city.”

In addition to the city, participants include the State of New Jersey, Essex County, The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, New Jersey Transit, New York City Small Business Services and the New York and New Jersey Minority Supplier Development Council.

Options for business certifications include Minority Business Enterprise, Women Business Enterprise, Minority and Women Business Enterprise, Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Veteran/Disabled Veteran Owned Business and Small Business Enterprise.

Business owners can register online here.

“The Newark Business Certification Expo is the largest business certification event in the State of New Jersey,” said Bernel Hall, chief executive officer of the Newark Community Economic Development Corp. “The event represents billions of dollars of potential business opportunities for local minority-and women-led businesses.”