Small Business

Certifications: Do

You Qualify?

Leveling the Playing Field for

Small Business Owners

Small business owners face challenges when competing

against larger competitors with deep pockets.

Without access to capital, the odds are stacked against you.

However, there is help.

*Glassdoor.com.

Federal, state and local government officials offer a

percentage of projects to qualified small businesses. First,

though, you must get certified.

Small business certification gives you

the opportunity to compete for

government contracts.

• You can qualify based upon

minority or disadvantaged status.

• Based on certification, the

qualified agency will review you for

eligibility.

Visit the U.S. Small Business

Administration. Certification

eligibility is based on:

• Size of your business (industry-

specific based on number of

employees), or

• On sales volume averaged over a 3-

year period.

SBA.gov

*Glassdoor.com.

Required qualifications:

• 51% or more of the business

must be U.S.-woman owned.

• Legal resident aliens are

eligible.

• Women business owners must

prove to be active managers.WBE

Required qualifications:

• 51% or more of a for-profit U.S.

company must be owned,

operated and controlled by

minority group U.S. citizens.

• Certifications are conducted

locally or regionally by state

agency minority-owned business

councils.

MBE

Required qualifications:

• Federal law mandates requirements for

DBEs.

• The U.S. Department of Transportation

oversees certification requirements.

• 51% or more of the business must be

owned and controlled by one or more

socially and economically

disadvantaged persons.

SDB & DBE

Required qualifications:

• 51% of the business must be owned

and controlled by one or more socially

and economically disadvantaged.

• Musts be citizens of the U.S. and

demonstrates potential for success.

• For federal procurement only.

8(a)

Required qualifications:

• 51% or more of the business

must be owned by one or more

U.S. military, naval or air service

disabled veterans.

• For any type of business.

DVBE

Required qualifications:

• Must be located in a HUB

location with 35% or more of the

employees living in the area as

well.

• If qualified, your business gets

preferential access to federal

procurement opportunities. HUB

Easy. Online. SurePayroll.

For payroll and tax tips, small

business owners can visit

The Payroll Blog.

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