Business Certifications
Being a small business has its advantages when doing business with the government. Whether you are bidding on direct contracts or subcontracting, having the right certification will help.
The Small Business Supplier Diversity (SBSD) organization is our partner in helping business owners obtain certifications. Here are some of the main certifications to consider:
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The Small, Women-owned, and Minority-owned Business (SWaM) certification program is a state program of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The purpose is to enhance procurement opportunities for SWaM businesses participating in state-funded projects.
The time until the initial review for both SWaM initial applications and for recertifications is approximately 60 business days from the time that we received a completed SWaM application AND the required supporting documents.
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The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) certification program is a Federal program. The purpose is to increase the participation of certified DBEs in projects funded by the US Department of Transportation and other federal sectors. Projects typically include heavy construction, such as building and designing roads, bridges, railroads, ports, and airports.
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“Employment services organization” means an organization that provides community-based employment services to individuals with disabilities that is an approved Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) accredited vendor of the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services.
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Veterans who are small business owners can obtain Service-Disabled Veteran-owned “status” in the SWaM vendor database. This is not a separate certification; it is a designation of those businesses that are owned by Service-Disabled Veterans who are certified as such by the Virginia Department of Veteran Services. Veterans can apply for small, women-owned, or minority owned certification with the Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity before or after obtaining an eligibility certificate from DVS. Both services are available at no charge.
Veterans wishing to apply for service-disabled veteran status must first seek eligibility certification from the Department of Veteran Services by visiting the DVS website.
Also of interest is the Vets First Verification Program by the Department of Veteran Affairs.
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As a certified small business by the Department, your company may qualify for micro-business certification. A business may be certified as a micro business if it is first certified as a small business pursuant to 7VAC13-20-40 and, together with its affiliates, has 25 or fewer employees and average annual gross receipts of $3 million or less averaged over the previous three years.
In addition, there are a few more that are not administered through the SBSD:
8(a) - Certified by the U.S. Small Business Administration
The 8(a) Business Development Program is a business assistance program for small disadvantaged businesses. The 8(a) Program offers a broad scope of assistance to firms that are owned and controlled at least 51% by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. The 8(a) Program is an essential instrument for helping socially and economically disadvantaged entrepreneurs gain access to the economic mainstream of American society. The program helps thousands of aspiring entrepreneurs to gain a foothold in government contracting. Participation in the program is divided into two phases over nine years: a four-year developmental stage and a five-year transition stage.
EDOWSB -Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business
Similar to above, this is specific to women-owned businesses and is administered by the SBA.
If you are considering contracting with the government, we’d be glad to get you connected to the right tools and direct resources to grow your business.