Welcome

We are the state agency dedicated to enhancing the participation of our small, women- and minority-owned businesses in Virginia’s procurement process.

The Department of Minority Business Enterprise (DMBE) administers three certification programs:

1. SWaM: The Small, Women-owned, and Minority-owned Business (SWaM) certification program is a state program of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The purpose is to enhance procurement opportunities for SWaM businesses participating in state-funded projects.
   
   
2. DBE: The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise certification program is a Federal program. The purpose is to increase the participation of certified DBEs in projects funded by the US Department of Transportation and other federal sectors.
   
   
3. ESO: "Employment services organization" means an organization that provides community-based employment services to individuals with disabilities that is an approved Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) accredited vendor of the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services.

Apply for SWaM
(apply for initial certification) (apply for re-certification)

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)

Apply for DBE
(apply)

Apply for ESO
Application Form (PDF) | (Word)

Virginia Certified Employment Service Organizations

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.
  
  
  
• DMBE also provides management and technical support to the certified DBE and SWaM businesses
  
  
• 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.

Department of Minority Business Enterprise expenditures