Why get government certified?
Government contracting is the process that lets you sell your goods or services to the government and its various agencies. The government has a contract, or agreement, with you whereby it purchases what you do or make. And U.S. government agencies buy a lot from small businesses – nearly $100 billion worth of goods and services each year! From market research to janitorial services, if you want to make the government your customer, there’s a good chance there’s a need for what you offer.
To take advantage of these benefits & programs, you need to be on their radar by getting officially certified. as Minority-Owned Business.
Certification helps the government and private firms make sure you’re legit: that you are who you say you are, and that your company really is entitled to the advantages they can offer.
There are different types of certifications depending on whether you want to connect with government programs or with the corporate world.
Learn below what the ABC's can do for your business.
MBE (Minority Business Enterprise)
This certification is for women of color with small businesses.
The benefits of MBE Certification allows access network gives small businesses:
- Access to top corporate decision makers,
- Premium networking events,
- Searchable supplier databases,
- Affordable/free consulting services,
- Technology programs, grants, and contracts not available to any other group.
To take advantage of these benefits, you need to be on their radar by getting officially certified as a Minority-Owned Business or Minority Business Enterprise (MBE).
Certification helps the government and private firms make sure you’re legit: that you are who you say you are, and that your company really is entitled to the advantages they can offer.
WBE (Women Business Enterprise)
This certification is for White women with small businesses.
The benefits of WBE Certification allows access network gives small businesses:
- Access to top corporate decision makers,
- Premium networking events,
- Searchable supplier databases,
- Affordable/free consulting services,
- Technology programs, grants, and contracts not available to any other group.
To take advantage of these benefits, you need to be on their radar by getting officially certified as a Minority-Owned Business or Woman Business Enterprise (WBE).
Certification helps the government and private firms make sure you’re legit: that you are who you say you are, and that your company really is entitled to the advantages they can offer.
DBE (Disadvantaged Business Enterprise)
This certification is for minorities & women with small businesses.
The benefits of DBE Certification allows access network gives small businesses:
- Access to top corporate decision makers,
- Premium networking events,
- Searchable supplier databases,
- Affordable/free consulting services,
- Technology programs, grants, and contracts not available to any other group.
A "set- aside" is a Federal contract designated for small business bidding only. It is the portion of a contract that is guaranteed to go to a minority owned company.
For example, if a city wishes to contract out its moving services to a number of privately-owned companies, it may declare that 20% of the total value of the contract must go to one or more companies owned by a member of a minority
ACDBE (Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise)
This certification is for minorities & women with small businesses.
TThe ACDBE Program is similar to the DBE program in that it is a Department of Transportation (DOT) program designed to level the playing field for small businesses who wish to participate in contracting opportunities at airports.
Curriculum
- DBE State List of Certifiying Agencies
- Alabama - DOT Site
- Alaska - DOT Site
- Arizona - DOT Site
- Arkansas - DOT Site
- California - DOT Site
- Colorado - DOT Site
- Connecticut - DOT Site
- Delaware - DOT Site
- Florida - DOT Site
- Georgia - DOT Site
- Hawaii - DOT Site
- Idaho - DOT Site
- Illinois - DOT Site
- Indiana - DOT Site
- Iowa - DOT Site
- Kansas - DOT Site
- Kentucky - DOT Site
- Louisiana - DOT Site
- Maine - DOT Site
- Maryland - DOT Site
- Massachusetts - DOT Site
- Michigan - DOT Site
- Minnesota - DOT Site
- Mississippi - DOT Site
- Missouri - DOT Site
- Montana - DOT Site
- Nebraska - DOT Site
- Nevada - DOT Site
- DBE, MBE, WBE, ACDBE Application Form
- Personal Net Worth Form
Do You Have More Questions or Would like a Review?
A consultant will review what you have submitted. Choose 1 of 3 options.