SWaM Initial Certification

Certification Application Steps:

1. Complete the Online Application for SWaM Certification.
   (You can review a sample of the application prior to applying online. Please note: The sample application will not be accepted by DMBE).
2. Print, sign and date the completed application form. (Printing for Mozilla Firefox Users, click here)
3. Mail the signed application and the required supporting documents to DMBE.
   Important notice : You must mail us your signed application with the required supporting documents or your application will not be processed.

Initial Certification Application

Required Supporting Document to be Submitted for SWaM Certification (PDF) | (Word)

SWaM Re-Certification Process

Re-certification Application Steps:

1: Complete the on-line application for SWaM certification. Click here. A “YES” answer to the first question on the application will take you to the re-certification application.
2: Sign and date the printed form.
3 : Mail the form, your proof of identification and supporting documents (for vendors certified prior to July 9, 2007) to DMBE for processing.

Proof of identification includes a:

• Copy of government-issued picture identification card (e.g., Driver’s License, Military Identification card), or
• Certificate of Naturalization (for legal residents)
• Passport
• Birth Certificate
• Tribal registration certificate, tribal registry letter and tribal roll register number

Important Notice: Please be advised that all SWaM vendors certified prior to July 9, 2007 are required to submit proof of your Small Business, Women-owned, or Minority-owned eligibility in accordance with the requirements of the Virginia Administrative Code, 7 VAC 10-20-10 et seq.

If you have had a substantive change in your organization (e.g., organization structure, ownership or control of the business), please submit the required supporting documents.

Recertification Application

Certification Partners

The Virginia Department of Minority Business Enterprise (DMBE) is required to adopt regulations which would allow for the evaluation of certification programs from sources outside of Virginia state government. The regulations also must mandate certification to a prospective state vendor that has obtained certification under another certification program that is determined to meet the minimum requirements of the Virginia SWaM Program.  Code of Virginia, Section 2.2-1403 (8).

DMBE has partnerships with the Virginia Minority Supplier Diversity Council (VMSDC) and Women Presidents' Educational Organization (WPEO-DC: an authorized Women's Business Enterprise National Council certifier).

If you have been certified by either of these organizations and intend to pursue Small, Women-owned, or Minority-owned Business certification from the Commonwealth of Virginia, click on the appropriate link below:

• Virginia Minority Supplier Diversity Council
• Women Presidents' Educational Organization-DC/WBENC

Definition of Key Words (Code of Virginia Section 2.2-1401)

The SWaM certification program is administered by the Virginia Department of Minority Business Enterprise (“DMBE”) and is the Commonwealth of Virginia’s effort to help small, women- and minority-owned businesses with doing business with state government entities. 
Applicants to the SWaM certification program must complete the on-line application for certification and provide the required documents with the application to be considered for certification as a Small, Women- or Minority-owned Business.

Click here for "Definition" .

Regulations governing SWaM Certification: Virginia Administrative Code

For the full text of the Virginia Administrative Code governing SWaM Certification, click "here"

Service Disabled Veteran Designation Now Available for SWaM Business Owners

Service Disabled Veterans are able to obtain certification as a SWaM upon receipt of the “Service Disabled” certification by the Department of Veterans Services and by meeting the eligibility requirements of the SWaM Program. For more information, click the "Press Release".

Virginia Freedom of Information Act

Please Note: under Section 2.2-3705.6(20) of the Code of Virginia, trade secrets as defined in the Uniform Trade Secrets Act (Section 59.1-336 et seq., Code of Virginia) or financial records of a business, including balance sheets and financial statements, as part of an application for certification as a small, women- or minority-owned business are exempt from disclosure under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Section 2.2-3700 et seq.) The business is required to (a) invoke such exclusion upon submission of the data or other materials for which protection from disclosure is sought, (b) identify the data or other materials for which protection is sought, and (c) state the reasons why protection is necessary.

 

NIGP Commodity Codes
Needed for Small, Women and Minority Application.

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