Prepared by the National MBE Input Committee (NMBEIC)
Week 5: Building Strong MBE Partnerships: Quality Over Quantity
The MBE-to-MBE Spend Award does not just measure how much you spend—it also evaluates the depth and quality of your partnerships with other certified MBEs. This is worth up to 15 points on the scoring rubric, and it can set a strong nomination apart from the rest.
Evaluators look at several factors. How many MBE partners have you engaged? How much did you spend with each? How long have these partnerships been in place? Do your MBE partners represent diverse industries, capabilities, and backgrounds?
The strongest nominees demonstrate sustained, meaningful collaboration. A partnership that has lasted several years and involved multiple projects signals real trust and mutual value. Breadth matters too—working with MBEs across different sectors shows a commitment to strengthening the broader community, not just a single relationship.
Consider how you can deepen your existing MBE partnerships. Are there additional scopes of work you could direct to MBE partners? Could you invite an MBE firm to join a teaming arrangement for an upcoming bid? Even small, intentional steps can build stronger alliances over time.
The MBE-to-MBE Spend Award recognizes that true impact comes from relationships built on trust, collaboration, and shared growth. Invest in your partnerships, and the results will follow.
The MBE-to-MBE Spend Award is more than recognition. It is a call to action for every certified MBE to invest in our community’s collective success.
📩 For more information, please contact:
- Lisette Villavicencio, MBEIC Chair: lisette@va-contractor.com
- Eduardo Quijano, Performance & Administration Coordinator: equijano@prmsdc.org