Office of Supplier Diversity
The goal of the Office of Supplier Diversity is to increase the number of Certified Business Enterprises – minority-owned (MBE), woman-owned (WBE) and Veteran-owned (VBE). Our office works with eligible business owners to process and grant their certification as well as to ensure they are informed of the benefits of certification. Our certification process includes identifying and certifying eligible small businesses by conducting thorough and effective reviews of the submitted required certification documents.
Eligibility Requirements
Below are the minimum eligibility requirements* necessary to become a woman, veteran, or minority-owned Certified Business Enterprise (CBE). If you meet these requirements, please submit the required supporting documentation to the Office of Supplier Diversity for review.
- Be legally registered to do business in STATE as a for-profit organization (registration through the Department of State).
- Be based in STATE.
- Be owned and managed by a resident(s) of STATE.
- Be 51 percent owned and managed by a woman, veteran, or minority who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien.
- Be engaged in commercial transactions (currently doing business).
- Be registered on the STATE website – STATE Supplier Registration/Vendor Registration/emarketplace.
- Have a net worth of less than $5 million.
- Have 200 or fewer full-time permanent employees.
- Have a professional license, if required by the industry, in the name of the woman, veteran, or minority business owner.
Are You Ready to Get Certified?
Step 1
The first step to certification is to register as a new vendor.
*For your state website – Open a browser and search (State Name) Supplier Registration, (State Name) Vendor Registration, or (State Name) emarketplace.
Select which certifications you qualify for –
Step 2
Review the Required Documentation List and gather all the necessary required documentation.
Step 3
Submit your certification application for review by the Office of Supplier Diversity.
View the Vendor Guide for information on how to submit your certification application online.
For assistance or questions about certification or the process of becoming certified, email the OSDhelp@dms.(STATE Abbreviation).gov or call the number provided on the website.
Benefits of Being a Woman, Veteran, Minority-owned Business Enterprise
For a small business to verify ownership as a local woman, veteran, or minority, holds great importance to their community in today’s business world. Women, veteran, and minority-owned small businesses that are certified by the state are the first tier of businesses referred to state agencies seeking to include supplier diversity as a part of their purchase order and contract opportunities.
The Certified Business Enterprise Vendor Directory lists only state certified woman, veteran, or minority-owned business enterprises. State agencies, state universities, regional and local government entities and even private businesses use this directory to find state vetted woman, minority, and veteran-owned businesses to diversify their vendor dollars. A state certified vendor’s profile can be accessed by simply typing the company’s name, an applicable commodity code or brief description.
Special emails and other information are disseminated to vendors who appear in the state’s database. This information could vary from contract opportunities to special events, networking activities and technical assistance training.
Online Recertification is available but must be updated every one or two years for the applicable businesses (check your state). After one/two years of being certified, a vendor can self-recertify online.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Certification?
Certification is a procedure by the State to ensure that businesses claiming to be woman, veteran, or minority-owned and controlled meet the legal qualifications. Eligibility criteria are in the STATE Statutes. The certification section of the website also provides more about eligibility requirements and supporting documentation.
How can my business become a certified business enterprise?
To become certified as a woman, veteran, or minority-owned business enterprise, a business must meet the eligibility criteria set forth in the STATE Administrative Code.
Further, the vendor must register as a vendor, identify itself as a woman, veteran, or minority-owned business and submit supporting documentation prior to any review.
Why should I be certified as a Certified Business Enterprise (CBE)?
Certification as a woman, veteran, and/or minority-owned business enterprise will help increase your firm’s visibility among State agencies and other prospective clients, document your firm’s status as a CBE, and enhance your competitive advantage. View details on the Benefits of Certification section of the website.
Will certification guarantee me a contract?
Certification is a tool, not a guarantee. Certification enhances a certified business enterprise’s exposure to State and local agencies, prime contractors, and the business community. To be successful, a company still needs to market itself, its people, and its services, just as any good business should. Like any tool, certification must be actively used to experience its full worth. Here are some additional tips:
- Market your business to agencies that may need what you sell. You can meet state agency representatives at Supplier Diversity Exchange events.
- Utilize (the STATE Accountability Contract Tracking System) to research contracts that have already been awarded, to learn which agencies purchase what you sell, who holds the current contract, and when that contract will expire.
- Network with potential prime contractors at pre-bid or pre-proposal conferences.
How do I register as a vendor with the State?
The STATE Supplier Registration/Vendor Registration/emarketplace website provides a new vendor registration option on the home page. The system will ask if you seek state business enterprise certification. You may select any of the business enterprise options: woman, veteran, or minority owned. After completing the registration, review the required documentation and submit it to the Office of Supplier Diversity. Please review the Certification Required Documents before you submit the documents.
How long does the process usually take?
After the submission of your file, requests for additional information are normally within 30 business days of receipt.
The Office of Supplier Diversity will not review a certification request until the vendor registration process is complete, and all the appropriate documentation is received. If the vendor meets the qualifications for certification, then a certificate will be sent via email after staff makes the determination that the company is eligible for certification.
If I have registered online as a vendor with the State, am I automatically certified?
Registration is just the first step in seeking certification. When registering online you have an option to select any of the designations of woman, veteran, or minority owned business. To become certified, you must submit the supporting documentation to the Office of Supplier Diversity for further review to determine eligibility.
Must a business be certified to do business with the State?
No, any business may register to do business with the State. However, if the vendor wishes to participate in the procurement process as a certified business enterprise, it must go through the Office of Supplier Diversity to obtain the certification.
What is the difference between registration and being a Certified Business Enterprise?
Registering your company as a vendor allows you to do business with the State. Having a certified business enterprise designation (woman-owned, veteran-owned, or minority-owned) indicates that your company has undergone a review process to show that it meets the minimum eligibility criteria.
How long does the Certification last?
Certification with the Office of Supplier Diversity is for one or two years (check your state). Approximately 90, 60, 30, and 15 days before the end of a certification period, the Office of Supplier Diversity will send an email notification to the email address on file to alert the company of the upcoming expiration.
To ensure that a notification is sent to the correct individual, it is very important that businesses update the state registration website with the most current contact information.
How does a business recertify?
Recertification is a free and easy online process. Certified businesses interested in maintaining their certified status with the State must complete the online recertification at least two weeks prior to expiration.
Are state agencies required to do business with certified vendors?
State agencies are strongly encouraged to seek viable and growth-oriented woman, veteran, and minority-owned businesses to participate in procurement opportunities to continue to diversify their spending.
Should I certify if I am a business that provides products or services which might not be applicable to the State?
Yes. You are encouraged to certify with OSD because certification may provide inroads into other companies as well as provide free marketing. View more details on the Benefits of Certification section of this website.
What procurement-related state activities should I be aware of as a certified business enterprise owner?
There are a variety of conferences and workshops that occur throughout the year. State certified woman, veteran, and minority-owned businesses receive first-tier information on events hosted by the Office of Supplier Diversity through the “OSD Events” emails. To get the most updated information on events hosted by the Office of Supplier Diversity, as well as other agencies and organizations, visit the OSD Events section of the website.
The Office of Supplier Diversity shares bid announcements from cities, counties, universities, colleges and more. Visit OSD’s Vendor Resource Announcement page to see what current bid opportunities are posted. Listings are updated frequently — so bookmark the page and visit often.
If I am certified by STATE Department of Transportation as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), am I also certified by OSD to do business as a certified business enterprise with other state agencies?
No, the two certifications are separate and distinct. The Office of Supplier Diversity certifies woman, veteran, and minority-owned business enterprises on behalf of all state agencies. The DBE certification must come from the STATE Department of Transportation for minority and women businesses who seek to take advantage of Federal government contracts administered by the State. The Office of Supplier Diversity and FDOT have a working agreement to make the acquisition of both certifications as seamless as possible when vendors meet the qualifications for both.
May I use the Office of Supplier Diversity’s logo on my website or publications to signify my certification?
The Office of Supplier Diversity’s logo is the property of the Department of Management Services and cannot be used to promote any entity. You may use your issued certificate to show your certification.
Important Certification Definitions
- Articles of Incorporation
Like the “Articles of Organization” for a Limited Liability Company, the Department of State requires this document when filing as a corporation. It establishes the existence of your corporation in STATE, and sets forth certain basic information about your business. The Articles of Incorporation describe the fundamental identifying and operating characteristics of the corporation. Once filed and approved by the state, the Articles of Incorporation legally create the corporation as a registered business entity within the state.
- Articles of Organization
Like the “Articles of Incorporation” for a corporation, the Department of State required this document when filing as a Limited Liability Company (LLC). It establishes the existence of your LLC in STATE, and sets forth certain basic information about your business. The Articles of Organization describe the fundamental identifying and operating characteristics of the LLC. Once filed and approved by the state, the Articles of Organization legally create the LLC as a registered business entity within the state.
- Balance Sheet
This document is required to determine the net worth of the business at the time of applying for certification, and shows the assets and liabilities of a business at a particular time. If your business has not been in operation for at least two years, submit a balance sheet showing the assets and liabilities of the business from the start of operations.
- Corporate Bylaws
Similar to the “Operating Agreement” in a LLC, this document governs the workings of your corporation. The corporate bylaws allow you to structure your financial and working relationships with your co-owners in a way that suits your business.
- Fictitious Name
A business must register a “fictitious name” with the Department of State if the name of the business is not in the name of the owner.
- Membership Certificate
Like the stock certificate in a corporation; states the number of shares owned by a person or a company in a corporation’s stock. You must submit one for each person with ownership in the corporation. You can purchase a certificate kit from most office supply stores.
- Occupational License/Business Tax Certificate
An Occupational License or Business Tax Certificate is issued by a city and/or county for the privilege of engaging in any business, occupation or profession. Anyone providing merchandise or services to the public, even through a one-person company or home-based occupation, may be required to obtain a Business Tax Certificate from the city and/or county for which the business is located. To determine if this is required for your business, please contact your local county clerk of courts or city government for details.
- Operating Agreement
Like the “Corporate Bylaws” in a corporation, this document governs the workings of your LLC. An LLC operating agreement allows you to structure your financial and working relationships with your co-owners in a way that suits your business.
- Organizational Meeting Minutes for Recent Two Years
We recommend that you hold a meeting at least once a year to update members on the operations of the business, where the business is planning to move in the next year, as well as discussing the financials of the business, the change in positions. etc. Maintain documentation of the meeting discussions, i.e., meeting minutes.
- Professional License
Licensure that gives permission to practice within a regulated field. Visit the Department of Business and Professional Regulations at for a list of professions requiring licensure in your State.
- Resume
A document that contains a summary or listing of relevant job experience and education, and includes dates and a statement of the owner’s duties within the business. Additionally, the resume must substantiate personal direction and actual involvement with all major aspects of the business, and demonstrate that the applicant has managerial capability, knowledge, training, education, and experience required to make decisions regarding the operations of the business. The applicant must have the authority to control and exercise dominant control over the management and daily operations of the business.
- Statement of Duties
A document showing the day-to-day duties and responsibilities of each business owner and stockholder within the business. The duties of the applicant must reflect that he/she has the authority to control and exercises dominant control over the management and daily operations of the business. If the applicant business is a corporation and the business affairs of the corporation are managed under the direction of a board of directors as provided by the articles of incorporation or bylaws of the of the corporation, the articles or bylaws must explicitly clarify the number of directors required to establish a quorum. If not, the Office of Supplier Diversity requires that a quorum consist of a majority of the number of, directors presented by the article of incorporation or the bylaws.
- Stock Certificates
Like the Membership Certificate in an LLC; states the number of shares owned by a person or a company in a corporation’s stock. You must submit one for each person with ownership in the Corporation. You can purchase a certificate kit from most office supply stores.