Glossary of Terms

Diverse suppliers are businesses certified by the Small Business Administration (SBA), National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) or Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC). Below is information on each of these certifying bodies along with definitions of the types of diverse businesses they certify:

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA and Central Contractor Registration)

The SBA, an independent federal government agency, helps Americans start, build and grow businesses. The SBA provides programs, services and certifications that support the development of small business concerns. (Source: www.sba.gov)

SBA certifications include:

• Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) small business (www.sba.gov) - Small business located in HUBZone, owned and controlled by a U.S. citizen, with at least 35 percent of employees residing in HUBZone.
• Small business concern (SBC)/Small business enterprise (SBE) (www.ccr.gov) - Independently owned and operated small business as defined by SBA criteria.
• Small disadvantaged business (SDB) (www.sba.gov) - A small business concern that is at least 51 percent owned by one or more individuals who are both socially and economically disadvantaged. This can include a publicly-owned business that has at least 51 percent of its stock unconditionally owned by one or more socially and economically disadvantaged individuals and whose management and daily business is controlled by one or more such individuals.
• Veteran-owned small business (VOSB) (www.ccr.gov) - Small business with at least 51 percent ownership, control and management by one or more honorably discharged veterans.
• Service-disabled veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB) (www.ccr.gov) - Small business with at least 51 percent ownership, control and management by one or more honorably discharged disabled veterans.
• Women-owned small business (WOSB) (www.ccr.gov) - Small business with at least 51 percent ownership, control and management by one or more women who are U.S. citizens or resident aliens.

National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC)

The NMSDC offers a link between corporate America and minority-owned businesses, providing increased procurement and business opportunities for minority businesses of all sizes. The regional councils certify and match more than 15,000 minority-owned businesses (Asian, Black, Hispanic and Native American) with member corporations that want to purchase goods and services. (Source: www.nmsdc.com)

NMSDC certifies the following:

• Minority-owned business (MBE) (www.nmsdcus.org) - Business with at least 51 percent ownership, control and management by one or more individuals who are members of one of the following groups: African American, Hispanic American, Native American, Asian American, Asian-Indian American

Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC)

The WBENC is the nation's leading advocate of women-owned businesses as suppliers to America's corporations. As the largest third-party certifier of businesses owned and operated by women in the United States, the WBENC works with representatives of corporations to encourage the utilization and expansion of supplier/vendor diversity programs. (Source: www.wbenc.org)

WBENC certifies the following:

• Women-owned business (WBE) (www.wbenc.org) - Business with at least 51 percent ownership, control and management by one or more women who are U.S. citizens or resident aliens

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