Welcome

We are the state agency dedicated to enhancing the participation of our small, women- and minority-owned businesses in Virginia’s procurement process. DMBE administers two certification programs: the Small, Women- and Minority-owned Businesses under Virginia’s “SWaM” Procurement Initiative, and the federal U.S. Department of Transportation’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (“DBE”) Program. DMBE also provides management and technical support to our certified businesses through one-on-one business development and procurement advocacy.

Important Notice

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. Please review the "DMBE Certification Policy of Applications from Non-Virginia Based Businesses" before applying online for SWaM certification or recertification. (Click here)

Top Three Questions from SWaM Certification Applicants

1. What is the status of my application?
2. How long does it take to get certified?
3. How do I apply for re-certification ?
   

Answers:

1. Information about the status of your application, the date of your application and documents received, and any other necessary information being requested can be viewed by entering a certification tracking number or a portion of the company’s name at this page: Click HERE.

2. Once the signed application form and all supporting documents are received by our office, it takes approximately 30 business days for the assigned certification officer to review your file. You can view your application status by following the steps in Answer #1 above.

3. Re-certification Application Steps:

   • Apply online for the SWaM certification.
   • Click “Yes” to the first question and then “submit”. You are then in the online application for re-certification.
   • Follow the instructions to complete the application form.
   • Print, sign and date the complete application form. Please cross off the old information and write in the current information.
   • Mail the signed application and all required supporting documents to DMBE.
     Important notice : You must mail us your signed application with all required supporting documents or your application will not be processed.
   • Now click HERE for the SWaM application.

Important Information

• Update Your Email Address or Contact Information Today! It is very important to keep your contact information—especially your email address—up to date because state buyers may be trying to contact you. You don’t want to miss a business opportunity because of an invalid email address or telephone number. Submit your changes to the DMBE Customer Care Specialist electronically at dmbe@dmbe.virginia.gov or call 804.786.6585.
  
  
• Check Procurement and Business Opportunities with state agencies, local governments, and others. Click HERE.
  
  
• Contact us: Click HERE.
  
  
• Send comments regarding our services: Click HERE
  
  
• Mozilla Firefox Users - Please click here to find out how to print your application form.

SWaM Certification

Certification as a Small, Women- or Minority-owned Business is free! The steps towards becoming SWaM-certified are:
1: Complete the on-line application;
2: Sign and date the printed application;
3: Mail the signed application AND the required supporting documents to DMBE

Note:
Non-Virginia Businesses should be prepared to send their Home State certification as a Small, Woman or Minority owned business. 

DMBE reserves the right to request additional supporting documentation or information to provide clarification or substantiation of certain criteria or to resolve any ambiguities or inconsistencies in an application. Please indicate your company name and the tracking number (you can find it on the front page of your application form) on the additional documents.

Department of Minority Business Enterprise expenditures