Minority, Veteran & Women Owned Certification Programs

To qualify for MBE certification, your small business must be 51% minority-owned and operated, and the owners must be involved in daily management. 

The NMSDC defines a minority as “an individual who is at least 25% Asian, Black, Hispanic or Native American.” This is established and proven through a combination of screenings, interviews and site visits.

If your business is majority-owned and operated by one or more women, you may be eligible.

This program was created to aid female business owners by awarding them contracts within specific industries where women are underrepresented. A minimum of 5% of contracting dollars are given to woman-owned businesses each year by the federal government.

To qualify as a WOSB, your small business must be for profit and 51% owned and operated by women who are U.S. citizens and work within the business full-time.

The 8(a) Small Business Certification was designed to help create equal opportunities for small business owners who are “socially or economically disadvantaged.” The federal government awards at least 5% of contracting dollars for 8(a) businesses and allows them to compete for set aside and sole source contracts.

As a veteran of the United States Armed Forces, there are two different certifications you can apply for if you’re starting a business. Veteran Owned Small Businesses (VOSB) and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB). With these certifications, you’re granted competition for certain contracts that are set aside for veterans and veterans who became disabled while in the act of service.

To qualify for these certifications, a small business must be at least 51% owned by one or more veterans who manage the business daily. To apply for SDVOSB, the owner also must have a service-connected disability.

The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program is designed to remedy ongoing discrimination and the continuing effects of past discrimination in federally-assisted highway, transit, airport, and highway safety financial assistance transportation contracting markets nationwide. 

The primary remedial goal and objective of the DBE program is to level the playing field by providing small businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals a fair opportunity to compete for federally funded transportation contracts.