Business Information

Where can I obtain information on how to start a business?

For information on starting a business in the City of Dallas, visit the Office of Small Business Center website or contact the office at:

J. Erik Jonsson Central Library
1515 Young St, 5th Floor
Dallas, TX 75201
(214) 671-8147
Additionally, there are several organizations throughout the City of Dallas that offer additional business assistance:

Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
4622 Maple Avenue, Suite 207
Dallas TX 75219
214-521-6007 / Fax 214-520-1687

Inner-City Community Development Corporation
4907 Spring Avenue
Dallas TX 75210
214-915-9900 / Fax 214-915-9909

Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce
2922 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd
Dallas, TX 75215
214-421-5200 / Fax 214-421-5510

Regional Black Contractors Association
2627 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd
Dallas, TX 75215
214-565-8946

United Black Contractors Association
1412 Main Street
Dallas, TX 75202
628-224-9600

Business Assistance Center, Inc

1201 W. Camp Wisdom Road, Suite 224
Dallas TX 75232
214-376-6530 / Fax 214-376-6535

Greater Dallas Asian American Chamber of Commerce
Multi-Ethnic Education and Economic Development Center (MEED)
7610 N Stemmons Frwy, Suite 690
Dallas TX 75247
972-241-8250 / Fax 972-241-8270

Regional Hispanic Contractors Association
2210 W. Illinois
Dallas TX 75224
972-786-0909 / Fax 972-786-0910

US India Chamber of Commerce DFW
5930 LBJ Freeway, Suite #310
Dallas, TX 75240
214-346-9559

Where can I get financing (a loan or grant) information for small business?

Financing information for small businesses is provided by the Small Business Center. To learn more, visit the Small Business Center financing page or contact the office at: (214) 670-1685.

For M/WBE financing information, see Small Business Center or call the office at: (214) 670-3441.

Where can I obtain information on bonding and insurance when bidding on a City of Dallas contract?

Bonding and insurance information for contract bidding is available through Business Development and Procurement Services and the Office of Risk Management. Contact information is provided below:

Procurement Services
City Hall, Room 3FN
Dallas, TX 75201
214-670-3326

Office of Risk Management
City Hall, Room 6AS
Dallas, TX 75201
214-671-9458

How do I register an assumed business name?

To register an assumed business name you must visit the Dallas County Clerk's Office. The owner must be present and have with them valid government issued identification. For more information, see the Dallas County Clerk Procedures for Assumed Names.

Dallas County Clerk
509 Main Street. 2nd Floor
Records Building
Dallas, TX 75202
214-653-7177

How do I get a Federal Tax ID number?

To receive a Federal Tax ID number, please contact the Internal Revenue Service at 1 (800) 829-3676.

ResourceLink Team- M/WBE

Who is the ResourceLink Team?

The ResourceLink Team is a group of specialists in the Office of Business Diversity who connect businesses with the resources and information needed to do business with the City of Dallas. A primary responsibility of the ResourceLink Team is to increase and encourage the participation of the business community to sell their goods and services to the City of Dallas. The ResourceLink Team also helps link vendors to the City of Dallas procurement website, which enables them to register at no cost as a vendor, submit bids, and assist with Minority/Women Business Enterprise (M/WBE) certification, pending qualification.

For more information or to contact a ResourceLink Team specialist, call (214) 670-3326 or visit the Business Development and Procurement Services bid website.

What is Minority/Women Business Enterprises (M/WBE)?

An M/WBE is a small business that is at least 51% owned and operated by a socially and economically disadvantaged person or persons. Socially and Economically Disadvantaged means individuals who are citizens of the United States (or lawfully admitted permanent residents) and who are:

• African Americans
• Hispanic Americans
• Native Americans
  
• Asian Americans
• Women

Owned and operated means that at least 51% of the business is owned by one or more socially and economically disadvantaged individuals and that the management and daily business operations are controlled by the same socially and economically disadvantaged individuals.

What is M/WBE Certification?

Minority/Women Business Enterprise (M/WBE) certification is a review process designed to ensure that a business is actually owned, controlled and operated by an ethnic minority or woman. Firms who desire to be counted towards the Business Inclusion and Development (BID) Plan participation goals must be certified by an agency recognized by the City of Dallas.

How do I get an M/WBE Certification?

Firms seeking certification as an M/WBE must complete an application and provide supporting documentation to the respective certification agency. The City accepts certification from the following agencies:

North Central Texas Regional Certification Agency (NCTRCA)
Centerpoint Two
624 Six Flags Drive, #100
Arlington, TX 76011
(817) 640-0606
FAX (817) 640-6315

Dallas Fort Worth Minority Supplier Development Council (DFWMSDC)
8828 N. Stemmons Freeway
5th Floor, Suite 550
Dallas, TX 75247
(214) 630-0747
FAX (214) 637-2241

The Women's Business Council - Southwest
2201 N. Collins, Suite 158
Arlington, TX 76011
(817) 299-0566
Toll Free: (866) 451-5997
FAX (817) 299-0949

Is there a fee for M/WBE Certification?

The North Central Texas Regional Certification Agency (NCTRCA) does not charge a fee for certification. The Women's Business Council - Southwest and Dallas/Fort Worth Minority Business Council (DFWMBC) both charge a fee of $250.

How long is the M/WBE certification process?

The certification process takes 30 to 90 days.

How long is the M/WBE certification in effect?

The certification is good for one (1) year and must be renewed on an annual basis.

Contract Bids

Who can bid on a City of Dallas contract?

All interested firms, including Minority/Women Business Enterprises, can bid on City contracts.

How do I bid on a City of Dallas contract?

For information on the bidding process, please contact the City of Dallas Procurement Services at: (214) 670-3326.

How do I get on the City of Dallas bidders (vendor) list?

Interested vendors may register online with the City of Dallas' Procurement Portal Bonfire. For additional assistance, please call the City of Dallas Procurement Services at: (214) 670-3326.

How do I find out what/when items are scheduled for bidding?

Notification of all Request for Bids (RFB) and Request for Proposals (RFP) are published in the Dallas Morning News Classified Section every Thursday and in the Open Public Opportunities tab in Bonfire.

A majority of the documents found on this site are available in Adobe PDF format. To view or download the provided information, please click Adobe Acrobat Reader.