Begin Main Content Area

News, Media & Events

Workshops

Certification and How to Do Business with the Commonwealth

If you are a Small Diverse and/or Veteran Owned Business who want to do business with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, then this forum is for you. The PA Department of General Services (DGS), Bureau of Diversity, Inclusion and Small Business Opportunities (BDISBO) will be conducting a training overview on Certification and How to do Business with the Commonwealth. Areas of Focus include:

  • How to get registered as a vendor
  • How to certify as a small, small diverse, and veteran owned businesses
  • Where to find business opportunities
  • Identifying agencies and portals
  • Additional vendor resources

Click here for additional information and to register.

DGS Certification Workshop

You are invited to participate in the Pennsylvania Department of General Services (DGS) Certification workshop given by DGS’ Bureau of Diversity, Inclusion and Small Business Opportunities (BDISBO).

The training will focus on the basics of completing the DGS Small, Small Diverse & Veteran Business Enterprise Application for certification for the state of Pennsylvania. The workshop will cover topical areas including eligibility requirements, documentation needed before beginning the application, vendor registration and the information needed for Proof of 3rd party. The presentation will result in a walk-through of the Small, Small Diverse and Small Veteran Owned Businesses Application in order to gain a better understanding of the application process.

The 60-minute sessions will be offered via Teams on-line presentations on the following Wednesdays in 2023. No RSVP Required. All workshops are 11AM to Noon.

  • June 7th 2023
  • July 12th
  • August 2nd
  • September 6th
  • October 4th
  • December 6th

Goal Setting Virtual Workshop - Vendor Training

This training centers on the Bureau of Diversity, Inclusion and Small Business Opportunities’ (BDISBO) Small Diverse and Veterans Business Goal Setting Program. Based on recommendations following the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's 2018 Disparity Study, a Goal Setting process went into effect for all RFPs, RFQs and IFBs for Non-construction bids $250K and over, and Construction bids $400K and over. This program entails a process vendors must complete in order to be compliant with the mandated use of small diverse and veteran businesses as subcontractors on bid/proposals. The workshop will focus on outlining the programs and an overview of the process and the requisite forms to be completed. Training sessions will be offered via Teams on-line presentations.No RSVP Required.

DGS Supplier Search Workshop

You are invited to participate in the DGS Supplier Search workshop given by the Pennsylvania Department of General Services’ Bureau of Diversity, Inclusion and Small Business Opportunities (BDISBO).

The training will focus on the basics of the supplier search process including recognizing the UNSPSC Codes Structure, accessing the DGS Supplier Search Database and searching for Small, Small Diverse and Small Veteran Owned Businesses to gain a better understanding of supplier search results.

The 30-minute sessions will be offered via Teams on-line presentations on the following Thursdays in 2023. No RSVP Required.

  • April 20th, 10:00 am – 10:30 am
  • April 27th, 10:00 am – 10:30 am
  • May 4th, 10:00 am – 10:30 am
  • May 11th, 10:00 am – 10:30 am
  • May 25th, 10:00 am – 10:30 am
  • June 1st, 10:00 am – 10:30 am
  • June 8th, 10:00 am– 10:30 am
  • June 15th, 10:00 am – 10:30 am
  • June 29th, 10:00 am– 10:30 am
  • July 13th, 10:00 am – 10:30 am
  • July 27th, 10:00 am – 10:30 am
  • August 3rd, 10:00 am – 10:30 am
  • August 10th, 10:00 am – 10:30 am
  • August 24th, 10:00 am – 10:30 am
  • September 7th, 10:00 am – 10:30 am
  • September 14th, 10:00 am – 10:30 am
  • September 28th, 10:00 am – 10:30 am
  • October 19th, 10:00 am – 10:30 am
  • October 26th, 10:00 am – 10:30 am
  • November 2nd, 10:00 am – 10:30 am
  • November 16th, 10:00 am – 10:30 am
  • November 30th, 10:00 am – 10:30 am
  • December 7th, 10:00 am – 10:30 am

Microsoft Teams meeting
Join on your computer or mobile app
Click here to join the meeting
Meeting ID: 293 754 842 172
Passcode: Uhqm2D
Download Teams | Join on the web
Or call in (audio only)
+1 267-332-8737,,690952530#  United States, Philadelphia
Phone Conference ID: 690 952 530#
Find a local number | Reset PIN
Recording or transcription of this meeting may not occur without consent of all participants, as required by law, and must adhere to Commonwealth policies. For more information click the legal link.
Learn More | Meeting options | Legal


Paths to PennDOT Workshop

(February 22, 2023, Philadelphia) Economic inclusion for all Americans is one of the most critical issues of our time. Small, minority, women-owned and disadvantaged business enterprises (DBEs) form the heart of our communities, offer local employment, and contribute to the well-being of PA's economy. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) understands the vital role that DBEs play in our national economy. PennDOT is ready and here to assist your business in securing future contracting opportunities with us. The Paths to PennDOT Workshop will connect you with influential leaders in the highway construction industry. Experts will be on hand to provide information relating to business opportunities, prequalification, Mentor Protégé Program, DBE Program participation and more. Pre-registration closes February 17, 2023.

Download the flyer for more information and registration.


News

PA Small, Small Diverse, Veteran Business Program Results 2020

Program results for the FY 2020 Small Business, Small Diverse Business, and Veteran Business Enterprise Program. (PDF|JPG)


Scam Warning: Fraudsters Impersonate Department Of Revenue In Letters Targeting Pennsylvania Businesses

07/14/2022

Harrisburg, PA — Scam artists are impersonating the Department of Revenue by sending Pennsylvania business owners fraudulent letters in the mail that direct them to turn over their accounting records. The goal of this ploy is to trick unsuspecting taxpayers into providing sensitive financial information, which the criminals behind the scheme can use for a number of illicit activities that could seriously harm a business' financial standing.  

"This is a prime example of fraudsters impersonating a government agency as they try to convince hardworking Pennsylvanians to turn over sensitive information about their businesses," Revenue Secretary Dan Hassell said. "We are urging Pennsylvania business owners to be on high alert if they receive a suspicious notice that includes the Department of Revenue name and logo. If you have any doubt at all about the legitimacy of a notice from the department, please use the contact information listed on our website, revenue.pa.gov. This is the best way to ensure you are speaking with a legitimate staff member at the Department of Revenue."

Please follow link for full press release. 

Scam Warning: Fraudsters Impersonate Department of Revenue in Letters Targeting Pennsylvania Businesses

Past News