We are small business certification specialists with over 25 years of experience.

Small Business Certifications

Open new doors as a woman, minority, or veteran owned business

The Leverage You Need

Major corporations and government agencies are searching for certified small businesses to add to their vendor lists, could your company benefit? Call today for a complimentary pre-qualification with a business consultant on the SBA Certifications available to you.

Public Sector

As a certified small, minority, women, or veteran-owned business, you will have access to Requests for Proposals (RFPs) that were previously unattainable. This places you, a minority supplier, in front of decision makers who are committed to providing opportunities to minority-owned businesses. While competing suppliers must be qualified for the contract, small business certifications give added weight in the evaluation process.

Private Sector: Interest from Corporate Buyers

Supplier diversity refers to corporate buyer programs that encourage a diverse range of suppliers. This is not just an act of charity. Interestingly, supplier diversity provides a competitive advantage that contributes to the corporate buyer’s bottom line. In fact, the Hackett Group found that the majority of world class organizations who engage in supplier diversity spend about 20% less on buying operations, and the number of procurement staff is less than half of their counterparts. Supplier diversity does not just help the certified woman or minority-owned business, it helps the corporate buyer as well.

In order to receive a higher chance of winning these contracts, you will need your small business and minority certifications. These include the Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) or Minority Owned Business Certification, Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HUBZone), Women-Owned Small Business Certification (WBE) and (WOSB), and Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business Concern (SDVOSB), and 8(a) program certifications.

Certifications Available

Gather new opportunities with these certification programs. Which one applies to you?

SBA WOSB and EDWOSB Programs – Set-Aside Government Contracts

If you are a female business owner looking to increase access to federal government contracts, we recommend the Woman Owned Small Business (WOSB) program.

The WOSB program is a relatively new initiative set by the Small Business Administration (SBA). Made effective in 2011, this is one of the many set-aside programs for small businesses created by the SBA. This program authorizes contract officers (COs), those who bind the Federal Government to contracts, to set aside certain contracts for those who are eligible. Once certified, you can participate in the program indefinitely, as long as they meet the eligibility requirements.

In addition, the SBA has created the Economically Disadvantaged Woman Owned Small Business (EDWOSB) program for those who can prove economic disadvantage. Those in the EDWOSB program are considered WOSBs; therefore, they can compete for both EDWOSB and WOSB opportunities.

What Are the Benefits of the WOSB Program?

The Federal Government is required to spend 5% of its contracting dollars each year to small businesses that are owned by women. As an WOSB, you are eligible for set-asides with no restrictions on dollar amounts. WOSBs are also able to participate in joint ventures under certain conditions.

VA SDVOSB or VOSB – Sole source and VA contracts

The VA Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) and the Veteran Owned Small Business (VOSB) program is designed to give veterans preferential access to VA contracts.

What Are the Benefits of the SDVOSBC Program?
If you are involved in the VOSB or SDVOSB program, you will have a higher chance of winning set-aside and sole source contracts with the VA. Set-asides are contracts that are to be fulfilled exclusively by small business concerns. To be automatically set aside for small businesses, a federal purchase must be between $3,000 and less than $150,000. Sole source contracts are awarded to one supplier without a competitive process.
The VA defines a disability as service-related if it occurred during active duty in military, Navy, or Air Force.

NMSDC MBE Program - Corporate Buyer Contracts

For minority business owners who wish to expand their network in the private sector, we encourage a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) certification through the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC). The Federal Government has set aside a minimum of 23% of total acquisition dollars to be spent on diverse businesses. While an MBE certification does not guarantee a contract with a corporate or government buyer, it does serve as a prestigious marketing tool that increases visibility and the chances of winning such contracts.

Supplier diversity programs within corporate institutions require valid MBE certification to meet supplier diversity goals. The NMSDC currently holds twenty-three affiliate offices worldwide with over 1,700 corporate members, including top public and private companies, universities, hospitals, and others.

Upon certification, MBE members are included in the NMSDC database, which corporate buyers use to select suppliers. Everyone in the program has access to networking opportunities with corporate buyers that are eager to partner with diverse enterprises. Other opportunities, such as capital loans and mentor-protégé pairings, are available through higher levels of membership.

What Are the Benefits of the NMSDC MBE Program?

Members of the NMSDC MBE program have access to the following opportunities and services:

  • Business opportunity fairs and conferences
  • Joint Ventures
  • Educational development
  • Awards and special recognition
  • Request for Proposals (RFPs), business leads, and alerts for procurement opportunities.

Sub-programs include:

  • Subscription Services: These paid services provide access to premium events, introductions to national corporate members, professional development fellowships, mentor-protégé pairings, and technical and financial support.
  • Corporate Plus® program: Admittance into this program elevates the MBE’s profile among national corporate members. In this sub-program, NMSDC corporate members nominate MBEs who have demonstrated excellence in fulfilling national contracts.
  • Growth Initiative: This sub-program Grants MBEs access to equity capital from institutional investors. The MBE’s eligibility for the Growth Initiative is reevaluated annually.
  • Centers of Excellence: These modules connect corporate buyers with MBE suppliers in their region. Each module consists of ten corporate members and 16 to 20 MBEs.
SBA HUBZone Program - Sole Source and Set-Aside Government Contracts

The Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HUBZone) program is one of the many Small Business Association (SBA) certifications and sole source programs for small businesses that open up opportunities in government contracting. If you are looking to support your community while improving your bottom line, this your certification. Created in response to the Small Business Restoration Act of 1997, this program is designed to reduce unemployment and promote economic prosperity in distressed areas. The HUBZone program is managed by the SBA, and certifications last as long as you meet all of the criteria.

What makes the HUBZone Program so worthwhile is the access that you will receive to federal procurement opportunities. Federal agencies have collectively spent over $1.2 Billion on HUBZone contracts in the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction industry alone. Certified firms have a far better chance of winning both competitive and sole source federal contracts if they obtain a HUBZone certification. The goal of the Federal Government is to award 3% of all contract dollars to businesses in the HUBZone program.

What Are the Benefits of the HUBZone Program?

Here is how your organization can benefit from a HUBZone program certification:

  • A 10% price evaluation preference in full and open federal contract competitions
  • HUBZone set-aside and sole source contract opportunities
  • Branding as a leader in your community’s economic growth
SBA 8(a) Program - Sole Source Government Contracts

Did you know that the government is required by law to provide opportunities for small diverse owned businesses? Through special sole source programs for small businesses, including the Small Business Association (SBA) 8(a) program, black, Asian, Hispanic, and Native American business owners have exclusive access to opportunities and assistance. Once you are 8(a) certified you will be paired with an SBA advisor who will assist you in understanding the contracting process. As you win government contracts, you can use the experience to attract valuable human resources and compete more successfully with larger businesses in both the private and public sectors and even participate in the protégé mentor program.

The ultimate goal of the 8(a) program is to ensure that socially and economically disadvantaged small businesses thrive in the private sector. Through the (8)a program, small business owners have the opportunity to bid on government contracts with extra weight given during the evaluation process. While the you must be qualified against all evaluation criteria, you will have a higher chance of receiving an award for a particular bid based on your status as an 8(a) firm.

The 8(a) program lasts for nine years and operates in two phases: a four-year developmental stage and a five-year transition stage. During this period, the SBA tracks your progress through annual reviews, business planning, and systematic evaluations.

What Are the Benefits of the 8(a) Program?

Upon certification as an 8(a) firm, you can:

  • Receive sole-source government contracts with a ceiling of $4 million for goods and services and $6.5 million for manufacturing.
  • Form teams to bid on larger prime contracts.
  • Obtain specialized training, counseling, marketing assistance, and high-level executive development.
  • Have possible access to surplus government property and supplies, SBA-guaranteed loans, and bonding assistance.
WEBENC WBE/ WOSB – Women Owned Small Business Program

This program is for women owned businesses in industries where they are underrepresented with the goal to boost the success of women-owned businesses in the US. WSOBs have access to contracts from the Federal Government, and WBE’s can more easily compete in the private sector.

WEBENC WBE/WOSB – The WBE certification standard is the most relied upon certification of women-owned businesses. Certification is administered throughout the 50 United States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. The ongoing goal for WBE certification is to be the most valued certification of women-owned, operated, and controlled businesses, which is recognized by public, private, non-profit and government entities. The WBE certification is the preferred certification for woman owned businesses looking to do business with large enterprise size firms and local government agencies.

Small Business Certifications – Build Your Business

Call or email Nancy at Sage Business today for a complimentary consultation and take the first step toward opening new doors for your business.