Working With the Small Business Administration

The 8(a) Small Business Certification is designed to help create equal opportunities for small business owners who are socially or economically disadvantaged.
 

The Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) designation is a program with the goal of growing businesses in historically underutilized areas by awarding them at least 3% of federal contract dollars each year.
 

Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program: State and local transportation agencies, such as state departments of transportation, public transit agencies and airport sponsors receive DOT funds. They contract directly with private transportation construction, design and supply firms of their choice to build and maintain infrastructure projects.
Recipients are required to award and administer DOT-funded contracts to small businesses in a fair manner. To assist small business formation and growth, Congress enacted DOT’s DBE program in 1983 and reauthorized it in each subsequent surface and aviation authorization.
 

If your business is majority-owned and operated by one or more women, you may be eligible for the SBA’s Women-Owned Small Business program. There are two types of woman-owned business certifications offered by the National Women’s Business Council: woman-owned small business (WOSB) and Economically Disadvantaged Woman-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB).
 

Minority-owned business certification is provided by the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC), which provides MBE certification for minority-owned businesses.​A B corporation certification is a for-profit business that is driven by a social mission. These companies use their profits as a means for positive impact for their employees, communities and the environment. They are certified by the SBA and are overseen by the B Lab, a governing body that ensures B corps are meeting their standards for impact.
​

As a veteran of the United States Armed Forces, there are two different certifications you can apply for if you’re starting a business. The Vets First Verification Program is a federal government program that grants certification for Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (VOSB) and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB). With these certifications, you’re granted competition for certain contracts that are set aside for veterans and veterans who became disabled while in the act of service.
​

The National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) created a certification program to help entrepreneurs in the LGBTQ+ community have greater access to contracting opportunities. The Certified LGBT Business Enterprise (LGBTBE) certification gives businesses an opportunity to network and mentor with other LGBTBEs, provides access for scholarships and opens businesses up to special discounts from LGBTQ+-owned and allied partners.
​

The Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB) Certification self-represents small, disadvantaged businesses for purposes of federal prime contracts and subcontracts.