ELIGIBLE BUSINESSES

What is a SMALL BUSINESS ENTERPRISE (SBE)

A business that is independently owned and operated and which is not dominant in its field of operation and in conformity with specific industry criteria defined by the Small Business Administration (SBA). Depending on the industry, size standard eligibility is based on the average number of employees for the preceding twelve months or on sales volume averaged over a three-year period. As of October 2008, small businesses may self-represent their status as small disadvantaged businesses (SDB’s) on the System for Award Management (SAM). Small businesses are not required to submit an application to the SBA for SDB status.

What is a MINORITY OWNED BUSINESS (MBE)

MBE is a company level ownership/diversity certification. MBE certifications are usually issued by the federal, state or local government. Eligibility for certification as a Minority Business Enterprise varies depending on the issuer but generally requires that a company be owned and operated by a member of a minority group such as African American, Native American, Asian or Hispanic American. MBE certification is non-industry specific.

EXAMPLES OF MINORITY OWNED BUSINESSES

WBE – WOMEN OWNED BUSINESS

A women-owned small business concern is a small business that is at least 51% owned by one or more women. In the case of publicly owned businesses, at least 51% of the stock is owned by one or more women and the management and daily operations of the business are controlled by one or more women.

More information on Women-Owned Small Businesses

DBE – DISADVANTAGE BUSINESS ENTERPRISE

DBEs are for-profit small business concerns where socially and economically disadvantaged individuals own at least a 51% interest and also control management and daily business operations.

African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, Asian-Pacific and Subcontinent Asian Americans, and women are presumed to be socially and economically disadvantaged. Other individuals can also qualify as socially and economically disadvantaged on a case-by-case basis.

SDVOB – SERVICE DISABLED VETERAN OWNED SMALL BUSINESS

A service-disabled veteran-owned small business concern is a small business that is at least 51% owned by one or more service-disabled veterans. In the case of publicly owned businesses, at least 51% of the stock is owned by one or more service-disabled veterans and the management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more service-disabled veterans or in the case of a veteran with permanent and severe disability, the spouse or permanent caregiver of such veteran.

Service-disabled veteran means a veteran with a disability that is service-connected; the disability was incurred in the line of duty while serving in the U.S. active military, naval or air service.

SDVOSBs are eligible for sole source contracts and restricted competitions. All contracts valued at $100,000 or more include a clause, which requires the prime contractor to provide the maximum practicable opportunity to SDVOSBs to compete for subcontracts.

More information on Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small