Office of Business Opportunity

Department Services

The Office of Business Opportunity (OBO) is continuing its efforts to promote the growth and success of local, small, and historically underutilized businesses by ensuring their meaningful participation in the City's procurement process, prior to award, on all goal-oriented contracts. The Procurement Specialists on OBO’s Department Services team offers trainings, in conjunction with subject matter experts from various departments, through its Department Services Training Institute (DSTI). DSTI covers a variety of topics that play a role in making the City's procurement process as competitive and diverse as possible, such as:

  • Setting Contract Specific Goals
  • Commercially Useful Functions of Certified Firms: What It Means and How Departments Can Ensure Compliance
  • Demonstrating Good Faith Efforts Pre-Award and Post-Award
  • Identifying Certified and Hire Houston First Firms to Work on Contracts
  • Pay or Play Program

Department Services Training Institute Sessions (.pdf)

Questions regarding the Department Services Training Institute should be directed to obodepartmentservices@houstontx.gov or to Tifney Scott at tifney.scott@houstontx.gov (or via phone at 832.393.0626).