The Bay Area is one of the most diverse regions in the world. People here are of all ethnicities, speak dozens of languages, and offer a wide range of skills, talents and trades. For nearly a century, EBMUD has proudly served this community, and we put our money where our mouth is.
EBMUD is celebrating 35 years of Contract Equity, a program designed to increase opportunities for local business owners and entrepreneurs. Over the last three-plus decades, the program has helped thousands of traditionally disadvantaged business owners – ethnic minorities, women, disabled veterans – to participate in the EBMUD bidding process alongside larger businesses.
On January 1, 2020, our work to lift up these firms will grow again when business owners in the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community will be able to take advantage of our small business incentives.
Since its creation in 1984, EBMUD’s Contract Equity Program (CEP) has helped award some $870 million in contracts to more than 2,800 qualified businesses that supply the District with materials, consulting services, construction and other needs. We’ve also hosted 150 business forums and 1,000 trade fairs and community events. Our success in this arena has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Commerce, and become a model for many other agencies, including Bay Area Rapid Transit.