Supplier Diversity Program

The City of North Las Vegas Supplier Diversity Program encourages the participation of Local Emerging Small Businesses and minority, women-owned and disadvantaged business enterprises (MWDBE) in our organization's purchasing and contracting activities. This is accomplished by participating in an annual Community Supplier Diversity Fair where businesses can attend seminars, as well as meet buyers and end-user customers.

An MWDBE is a business enterprise that is at least 51 percent owned by one or more minorities/women/disabled persons who also operate and control the business.

Federal definitions determine businesses that qualify.

  • Minority-Owned Business: A for-profit enterprise, regardless of size, physically located in the United States or its trust territories, at least 51 percent owned, operated and controlled by minority-group member citizens who are Asian, African-American, Hispanic or Native American.
  • Women-Owned Business: An enterprise in business at least six months and at least 51 percent women-owned by a U.S. citizen or legal-resident alien.
  • Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE): A business at least 51 percent owned, controlled and with daily operations managed by one or more socially and economically disadvantaged persons, as defined by federal law (DBE Regulation 49 CFR Parts 23 and 26). The business's average annual gross receipts also must be under specified dollar amounts depending on the industry.
  • Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business: A small business owned and controlled by one or more service-disabled veterans who served in the active military, naval or air service; were discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable; and whose disabilities were incurred or aggravated in line of duty in the active military, naval or air service.

Small business qualification varies by industry according to average annual receipts or annual employment and net worth of the company CEO. Values range from $250,000 to $750,000.

No mandates currently exist in Nevada. As a member of the Regional Business Development Advisory Committee, the City of North Las Vegas is required to report utilization of diverse businesses to the state Legislature for evaluation. As a public agency, we operate under NRS Chapter 332 and NRS Chapter 338 purchasing statutes.