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Department of Social and Economic Mobility

Business Conflict Resolution

About

The Ombudsman Unit helps prime contractors, Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs), and contracting entities resolve problems that occur during the performance of State-funded contracts with MBE goals.

We offer a neutral and accessible space where you can share concerns, understand your options, improve communication, and find practical solutions. We also provide guidance to help you understand and follow Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Program requirements. 

Our Role

We act as a neutral resource. We do not represent either side or decide who is at fault.

We can help by:

  • Reviewing concerns and finding main issues
  • Helping both sides talk and resolve disputes informally
  • Exploring solutions and explaining state processes
  • Connecting businesses with local, state, federal, and community resources

We focus on helping parties communicate clearly, understand options, and move forward.

What to Expect

After receiving your request, our team will review your information to see how we can help.

We may contact you for more details, talk with other parties, host a meeting, offer technical help, or refer you to another resource if the issue is outside of our scope.

Our service supports open communication and practical problem-solving.

What We Do Not Do

The Ombudsman Unit will not:

  • Conduct legal investigations or make legal decisions
  • Determine fault or innocence
  • Make decisions for contracting entity staff

How We Can Help

We can help you with business concerns involving:

  • Payment or work performance issues
  • Socioeconomic program rules and compliance
  • Contract administration challenges
  • Disputes about roles, duties, or expectations related to contract scope
  • Other conflicts that affect your ability to work on state contracts

When to Contact Us

Reach out to the Ombudsman Unit early if:

  • Direct talks or resolution efforts have stopped
  • Contract issues affect your work, or you need guidance on next steps
  • An informal, neutral talk could help solve the issue

Steps to Ask for Help

If you face a business conflict involving state contracts or small business programs, please follow these steps:

Step 1: Contact the Prime Contractor to resolve any issues.

Step 2: Contact the Contracting Entity’s Contract Monitor and/or MBE Liaison for assistance.

Step 3: After trying these steps, contact the Ombudsman Unit.

Need Help Resolving a Contracting Issue?

Contact the MBE Ombudsman unit at  [email protected] or

 

 

Schedule a One -on-One Meeting

You may also contact the Ombudsman Unit if you are unsure whether your concern is appropriate for this service. If you are a Certified Small Business (CSB) or a Veteran-Owned Small Business Enterprise (VSBE) experiencing a contract issue, please contact the appropriate Office of Small, Minority, and Woman Business Affairs (OSBA) compliance manager.