Certifications
Gain Access to Government Contracting Via Government Small Business Certifications
Small businesses can gain access to contracting success via the government’s Small Business Certifications programs.
How certifications can help grow your business? Business certifications are vital tools for businesses in every sectors of the economy as they can help you grow your business as a small, minority, or women owned business wishing to do business with larger corporations, local, state, and federal government.
Certification can – significantly – help your business gain access to government contracts. So whether you are just starting a business or your company is already established, you can drastically benefit from certain state and federal “set aside” contracts. Here is a quick Matrix developed by VACC Procurement Research Team using data and facts from local, state, and federal agencies’ websites which contain some of the most recognized types of business certifications that might fit your enterprise.
If you have any questions on any of the Small-Women-Minority Business Certification categories listed below, please contact one of the listed agencies or an experienced VACC Procurement Assistance Specialists for counseling and assistance.
Reference Table
SMALL BUSINESS CERTIFICATION MATRIX
Source: VACC Research Division; City of Richmond, Virginia, Department of Small Business and Supply Diversity; U.S. Small Business Administration.
Want more details? Contact one of our experiences VACC Procurement Assistance Specialists at: aabac@aabac.org for details and referrals.
| Certification Name |
Administered by |
Type of Contracting |
Doing Business with Which Organization Type |
|
Small Business (SWaM) |
State of Virginia VA Dept of Small Business and Supplier Diversity |
Prime contractor or subcontractor |
Local, State agency, Large or medium size companies |
|
Woman-owned Small Business (SWaM) |
State of Virginia VA Dept of Small Business and Supplier Diversity |
Prime contractor or subcontractor |
Local, State agency, Large or medium size companies |
|
Self Certification as Minority -owned Small Business (SWaM) |
State of Virginia VA Dept of Small Business and Supplier Diversity |
Prime contractor or subcontractor |
Local, State agency, Large or medium size companies |
|
8(a) Minority and Disadvantaged Businesses |
Small Business Administration |
Prime contractor or subcontractor |
Federal agency, department, or organization |
|
Title 3 – Federal Certification |
Department of Housing and Development HUD |
Prime contractor or subcontractor |
Federal agency or any municipality or state agency receiving federal dollars in contracting (Ex: Housing) |
|
HUBZone |
Small Business Administration
|
Prime contractor or subcontractor |
Federal agency, department, or organization |
|
Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) |
Designated Women Centers across the US
|
Prime contractor or subcontractor |
Corporations |
|
U.S. Dept. of Transportation – USDOT’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Certification |
State of Virginia VA Dept of Small Business and Supplier Diversity |
Prime contractor or subcontractor |
State contract with federal highways or similarly tied money |
|
Emerging Small Business (ESB) |
City of Richmond, Virginia |
Prime contractor or subcontractor |
City of Richmond (VA) Office of Minority Business |
|
Minority Business Enterprise in selected US localities |
Municipality (Minority Development Offices) |
Prime contractor or subcontractor |
Local municipality – In general by local Minority – Small Business Development Office |