The Washington, DC Draft is around the corner and the NFL is looking to engage event-ready businesses within the Washington DC, Maryland, Virginia (DMV) area to support the production of this world-class event.
This procurement program is an opportunity for local, small, and underrepresented businesses to gain exposure to subcontracting opportunities related to the 2027 NFL Draft and provide networking and capacity building for all accepted businesses.
Businesses selected for the program will be profiled in a directory, which NFL primary contractors and event producers will use to identify and select local, small, and underrespresented suppliers to fulfill their subcontracting needs. Becoming a member of the procurement program is a competitive process, and acceptance within the program does not guarantee contracts and/or RFP invites.
Program Guidelines
The NFL requires the following business requisites in order to to be eligible for participation in the 2027 NFL Draft Source program.
- Be the direct source of the goods and services offered
- Be eligible and in good standing with the Washington D.C. Secretary of State (regardless of headquarter location)
- Be headquartered in one of the following counties/districts:
- District of Columbia (DC)
- Maryland Counties: Calvert, Charles, Frederick, Montgomery, Prince George’s
- Virginia Counties: Arlington, Clarke, Fairfax, Fauquier, Loudoun, Prince William, Stafford, Warren
Businesses that meet the characteristics below are encouraged to apply. Those who do not meet all criteria are eligible to participate in the program.
- Provide a product or service requested by the 2027 Washington, DC Draft Source program
- Been in operation since April 2024
- Provide an NFL-recognized national or local business certification
2027 NFL DRAFT SOURCE PROGRAM
PROCUREMENT NEEDS
Below is a list of the most common business disciplines leveraged to support the production of the Draft and surrounding events.
Food & Beverage
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- Catering
- Food Trucks
Event Promotion
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- Graphic Design
- Large Format Printing/Signage
- Marketing & Outreach Services
- Promotional Items
Event Support
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- Audio Visual
- Carpet/Flooring
- Décor
- Entertainment
- Event Production
- Florals/Plants/Trees
- Golf Carts
- Laundry Services
- Photography/Videography
- Port-O-Lets
- Staging & Lighting
- Talent Trailers
- Temporary Event Staffing
- Tenting
- Traffic Management
- Venues
- White Glove/Concierge Services
Consulting, Management, & Advisory
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- Administrative
- Construction/Permitting/Safety
- Security
- Transportation Broker
Construction & Maintenance
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- Barricades/Fencing
- Cable Wire Contractors
- Charging Stations
- Contract Labor
- Equipment Rentals (Heavy)
- Fabrication
- General Contractors
- Janitorial Services
- Scaffolding
- Shoring
- Temporary Structures/Containers
- Waste Removal
Transportation
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- Transportation (Freight)
- Transportation (High-Capacity Passenger Vehicles)
Security
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- Security Staffing/Augmentation
Unsure if you fall in these categories?
Apply anyway. If we have questions we will reach out directly.
Recognized Business Certifications
The 2027 NFL Draft Source Program acknowledges the following approved certification types for qualifying local, small, and underrepresented businesses:
NATIONAL CERTIFICATIONS RECOGNIZED BY THE NFL
Disability:IN
- DOBE: Disability-Owned Business Enterprise
National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC)
- LGBTBE: LGBT Business Enterprise
National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC)
- MBE: Minority Business Enterprise
National Native American Supplier Council (NNASC)
- Individual Native-Owned
- Tribally-Owned EDC or Company
- Tribal EDC Affiliate or Subsidiary
National Veteran Owned Business Association (NaVOBA)
- VBE: Veteran’s Business Enterprise
- SDVBE: Service-Disabled Veteran’s Business Enterprise
National Women Business Owners Corporation (NWBOC)
- MBE: Minority Business Enterprise
- WBE: Women’s Business Enterprise
- VBE: Veteran’s Business Enterprise
Small Business Administration (SBA)
- 8(a)
- VOSB: Veteran-Owned Small Business
- SDVOSB: Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business
U.S. Black Chambers Inc. (USBC)
- ByBlack
Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC)
- WBE: Women’s Business Enterprise
LOCAL CERTIFICATIONS RECOGNIZED BY THE 2027 NFL DRAFT Source Program
Department of Small and Local Business Development
• CBE: Certified Business Enterprise
MEMBER BENEFITS
Inclusion in 2027 NFL Draft Source Member Directory: This Directory is shared with the NFL’s primary contractors and event producers to help identify local suppliers for 2027 NFL Draft subcontracting opportunities. As a legacy component of the program, the Directory will be transferred to the Washington Commanders and be uploaded to the NFL’s National supplier database which is accessible by NFL staff, teams, sponsors, and partner organizations affiliated with the NFL at the conclusion of the 2027 NFL Draft.
Access to Capacity Building Opportunities: Events and market-specific workshops with the goal of educating member businesses in areas of their interest while preparing them to be successful in doing business with the NFL.
Networking Opportunities with NFL and Commanders partners
Being a member of the 2027 NFL Draft Source Program is a competitive process, and acceptance within the program does not guarantee contracts.