Get Your Business Certified

What is MBE Certification?

A Minority Business Enterprise or MBE is a business in which at least 51% of the stock, equity, or beneficial interest is owned, held, or controlled and/or whose day-to-day management is under the control of a person who is a member of an American ethnic minority group including African-American, Asian-Indian, Asian-Pacific, Hispanic and Native American.

What are the benefits of being MBE-Certified?

Becoming certified as an MBE can help you qualify for certain opportunities related to UG and other public contracting.

How to get MBE-Certified

Your business must be certified by one of the following entities to be recognized as a MBE by the Unified Government. Lack of certification does not preclude a firm from doing business with the Unified Government.

• City of Kansas City, Missouri
  • A full list of requirements can be found here.
• Kansas Department of Commerce
  • A full list of requirements can be found here.
• State of Missouri
  • A full list of requirements can be found here.
• Mountain Plains Minority Supplier Development Council A full list of requirements can be found here.

What is LBE Certification?

A Local Business Enterprise or LBE is a business that performs its significant functions in Wyandotte County, or a business of which at least 51% of the stock, equity, or beneficial interest is owned, held, or controlled and whose day-to-day management is under the control of an individual residing in Wyandotte County. 

Why should I get my business LBE-Certified?

Becoming certified as an LBE can help you qualify for certain opportunities related to UG and other public contracting.

How to get LBE-Certified

There is no formal certification process for becoming an LBE, however you can indicate on any bid submission opportunities that you are an LBE if you believe you qualify.

What is WBE Certification?

A Women Business Enterprise or WBE is a business in which at least 51% of the stock, equity, or beneficial interest is owned, held, or controlled and/or whose day-to-day management is under the control of one or more women who are U.S. citizens or legal resident aliens.

What are the benefits of being WBE-Certified?

Becoming certified as a WBE can help you qualify for certain opportunities related to UG and other public contracting.

How to get WBE-Certified

Your business must be certified by one of the following entities to be recognized as a WBE by the Unified Government. Lack of certification does not preclude a firm from doing business with the Unified Government.

• City of Kansas City, Missouri
  • A full list of requirements can be found here.
• Kansas Department of Commerce
  • A full list of requirements can be found here.
• State of Missouri
  • A full list of requirements can be found here.
• Women’s Business Enterprise National Council – WBENC A full list of requirements can be found here.

What is DBE Certification?

The DBE program is a federal certification for Disadvantaged Business Enterprises. Small businesses that are independently owned and controlled in both substance and form by one or more socially and economically disadvantaged persons may be eligible for certification.

A Disadvantaged Business Enterprise or DBE is a business in which at least 51% of the stock, equity, or beneficial interest is owned, held, or controlled and/or whose day-to-day management is under the control of one or more socially and economically disadvantaged persons. To be regarded as economically disadvantaged, an individual must have a personal net worth that does not exceed $1.32 million. 

What are the benefits of DBE Certification?

Becoming certified as a DBE can help you qualify for certain opportunities related to UG and other public contracting.

How to apply for DBE Certification

To become a DBE, you must prove ownership, meet size standards, show financial stability, and be a member of a socio-economically disadvantaged group.

The application for DBE certification can be found here and is submittable by mail to the State of Kansas.

What is the HUBZone Program?

The HUBZone program helps small businesses grow in historically underutilized business zones. The government aims to award at least 3% of federal contract dollars to HUBZone-certified companies each year.

What are the Benefits of the HUBZone Program?

Joining the HUBZone program makes your business eligible for set-aside contracts and provides a 10% price evaluation preference in full and open contract competitions. HUBZone-certified businesses can also compete for contract awards under other socio-economic programs they qualify for.

What are the HUBZone Program Qualifications?

To qualify for the HUBZone program, your business must be a small business according to SBA size standards and have at least 51% ownership and control by U.S. citizens, a Community Development Corporation, an agricultural cooperative, an Alaska Native corporation, a Native Hawaiian organization, or an Indian tribe. Your business must also have its principal office located in a HUBZone and have at least 35% of its employees living in a HUBZone.

How to Get HUBZone Certified?

To participate in the HUBZone program, your business must be certified by the SBA. Follow these steps to get HUBZone certified:

1. Make sure you have a SAM.gov and General Login System account.
2. Apply for HUBZone certification using the General Login System.
3. Check your email for time-sensitive instructions to electronically verify your application within two business days.
4. Submit all requested supporting documentation within three business days.
5. Check that your status was updated in DSBS and SAM within 48 hours of approval.