Small Business Facts | Important Links

Supplier Diversity: An Important Energy Issue

Links to Advocacy Organizations

American Indian Chamber of Commerce 
Asian Pacific American Chamber of Commerce 
Association of Service Disabled Veterans
Government Contracting
Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
National Minority Supplier Development Council
Small Disadvantaged Business
U.S. General Services Administration
U.S. Small Business Administration
Veterans
Women Business Enterpise National Council
Women-Owned Businesses    

Small Business Administration Federal Definitions

Small Business (SB) Self-Certification Category
A small business concern as defined pursuant to Section 3 of the Small Business Act and relevant regulations promulgated pursuant thereto. A Small Business is one that is independently owned and operated, not dominated in the field of operation in which it is binding on government contracts, and qualifies as a small business under the criteria and size standards in 13 CFR 121 (see FAR 19.1). The size of your subcontractors and suppliers is determined by the NAICS code of their subcontract. To determine the size standard of your business, visit www.sba.gov.

Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB) Must be Certified by SBA as a SDB
A small business that has received certification as a small business disadvantaged business concern consistent with 13 CFR 124, Subpart B, and no material change in disadvantaged ownership and control has occurred since certification. To become SDB certified, visit http://www.sba.gov/sdb/indexsdbapply.html/.

Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Self-Certification Category
A small business concern that is at least 51% owned by one or more women, or, in the case of any publicly owned business, at least 51% of the stock is owned by one or more women. In addition, one or more women must control the management and daily business operations. For information on the Women-Owned Small Business Program, visit http://www.sba.gov/services/specialaudiences/women/index.html.

HUBZone Small Business (HUBZONE) Must be Certified by SBA as a HUBZone Small Business
A small business must be located in a “historically underutilized business zone” that is owned and controlled by one or more United States citizens and at least 35% of its employees must reside in a HUBZone to qualify for the HUBZone program. To become HUBZone certified, visit http://www.sba.gov/hubzone/section05b.htm.

Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB) Self-Certification Category
A small business concern that is at least 51% owned by one or more veterans (as defined in 38 USC 101 (2)), or, in the case of any publicly owned business, at least 51% of the stock is owned by one or more veterans. In addition, one or more veterans must control the management and daily business operations. For additional information regarding the Veteran-Owned Program, visit http://www.sba.gov/reservists/deploy.html or http://www.sba.gov/vets/.

Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (DVOSB) Self-Certification Category
A small business concern that is at least 51% owned by one or more service disabled veterans (as defined in 38 USC 101 (16)), or, in the case of any publicly owned business, at least 51% of the stock is owned by one for more service disabled veterans. In addition, the management and daily business operations must be controlled by one or more service disabled veterans. In the case of a permanent or severe disability, the spouse or caregiver of such a service-disabled veteran may control the management and daily operations.  For additional information regarding the Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Program, visit http://www.sba.gov/reservists/deploy.html or http://www.sba.gov/vets/.

Eligibility Definitions

Women-Owned Business:
A business that is at least 51 percent owned by a non-minority woman or women; or, in the case of any publicly owned business, at least 51 percent of the stock of which is owned by one or more women, and who controls the daily management and operation of the business.

Minority-Owned Business:
A business that is at least 51 percent owned by a minority individual or group(s); or, in the case of publicly owned businesses, at least 51 percent of the stock of which is owned by one or more minority groups, and whose management and daily operations are controlled by one or more of those individuals. Minority includes, but is not limited to, African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian-Pacific American, and Native American (American Indian, Eskimo, Aleut).

Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business:
A business owned by one or more service-disabled veterans where service-disabled veterans make up at least 51 percent of the ownership and where the veteran or his/her caregiver control daily management and operations of the business.

Other Groups:
Groups whose members are found to be disadvantaged by the Small Business Administration pursuant to Section 8(d) of the Small Business Act as amended [15 U.S.C. 637 (d)] or the Secretary of Commerce pursuant to Section 5 of Executive Order 111625. For additional information and/or clarification, contact your local/regional Small Business Administration Office.