Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity (DSBSD)
The Small, Women-owned, and Minority-owned Business (SWaM) certification program is a state program of the Commonwealth of Virginia, whose 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.
Note: If you are a non-Virginia based business, you might not be eligible for participation in the Virginia Small, Women- and Minority-owned Business Program.
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE)
Established in 1983, the federal Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program is designed to address ongoing discrimination and the lasting effects of past inequities in the contracting industry.
The program aims to:
Promote equity by offering socially and economically disadvantaged individuals a fair opportunity to compete for federally funded contracts.
Support DBE firms by enhancing their visibility and competitiveness within the industry.
Encourage ownership, requiring that eligible businesses be at least 51% owned and controlled by qualifying individuals.
Eligible participants include, but are not limited to, African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, Asian-Pacific and Subcontinent Asian Americans, and other individuals who meet the program’s criteria.