IACCGH Small Business Series Highlights Houston City Contracts

Alejandro Guajardo, a Business Development Manager at the City of Houston's Office of Business Opportunity (OBO), told attendees at the May 20 event that certification is the key to unlocking city contracts and a network of public agencies across eleven counties. He walked the room through the process, which starts with a free pre-certification workshop held on the first and third Tuesday of each month, followed by an online application and a financial audit going back five years.

Guajardo emphasized that OBO certification is currently free and that once certified, businesses are recognized by Harris County, Port Houston, Houston ISD, Fort Bend ISD, Houston Community College, Houston First, METRO, and the Houston Airport System. He noted that Houston's Hire Houston First program gives locally certified businesses a 3% to 5% bidding preference over non-local competitors.

The event also highlighted OBO's External Affairs programs, including Meet the Buyer, an annual December event that drew over 700 attendees and 63 exhibitor tables in 2025. Other initiatives include the Turner School of Construction Management, Pillars for Success, and Liftoff Houston, all designed to help certified businesses compete and grow.

Guajardo also discussed the Houston Small Business Legal Consultation Project, which provides free, limited-scope legal guidance on contracts, business structure, leases, employment, tax, and intellectual property issues. He encouraged attendees to reach out directly with questions, saying, 'Just give us a call, and we can get you in touch with an attorney.'

IACCGH Founding Secretary and Executive Director Jagdip Ahluwalia praised OBO as having the least cumbersome certification process, noting that one application opens doors across the region. The session closed with a discussion of recent policy changes affecting SBA lending and federal contracting, underscoring the need for businesses to stay updated.