DIR's Supplier Diversity Information Resource Guide 20, Jan 2012 | Page 107

COPYRIGHT 2012, DIVERSITY INFORMATION RESOURCES, MINNEAPOLIS, MN
Domestic

Certifying Organizations

Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC)
1120 Connecticut Ave NW, Ste 1000
Washington, DC 20036
[phone]
Fax [phone]
www.wbenc.org
The WBENC certification for women-owned businesses is one of the most widely recognized and certifications in the nation. Accepted by over 700 major corporations across the country and a number of federal and
government agencies, your WBENC certification will be an important marketing tool for expanding your
company’s visibility among decision makers in corporate supplier diversity and procurement.
Special programs and initiatives developed by WBENC also provide certified WBEs with added
information, training and resources for growing their business opportunities in both the public and private
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sectors. Moreover, WBENC exclusive initiatives like WBENCLink, WEBuy, the Accelerator Program are deati
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signed especially for certified women's business enterprises.
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Criteria for Certification
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WBE (Women’s Business Enterprise) is an independent business concern that is at least 51%
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controlled by one or more women who are U.S. citizens or Legal Resident Aliens; whosefobusiness formation
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and principal place of business arein the US or its territories; and whose management and daily operation is
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controlled by one or more of the women owners.
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The Small Business Administration (SBA)

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Office of Small Disadvantaged Business Certification and in
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409 Third St St, 8th Fl
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Washington, DC 20416
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8(a) Business Development Program
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http://www.sba.gov/content/8a-business-development
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The SBA’s 8(a) Business Development Program is strengthened and improved to be an effective business
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development vehicle. New regulations permit 8(a) companies to form beneficial teaming partnerships and
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allow Federaldagencies to streamline the contracting process. New rules make it easier for non-minority
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firms to pparticipate by proving their social disadvantage. The new Mentor-Protégé Program allows starting
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8(a)t companies to learn the ropes from experienced businesses. The task is to teach 8(a) and other small
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companies how to compete in the Federal contracting arena and how to take advantage of greater subconnm

tracting opportunities available from large firms as the result of public-private partnerships.

The new and improved 8(a) Program has become an essential instrument for helping socially and economically disadvantaged entrepreneurs gain access to the economic mainstream of American society. Participation is divided into two phases over nine years: a four-year developmental stage and a five-year transition
stage. In fiscal year 1998, more than 6,100 firms participated in the 8(a) Program and were awarded $6.4
billion in Federal contract awards.
Benefits of the Program
Participants can receive sole-source contracts, up to a ceiling of $3 million for goods and services and $5
million for manufacturing. While SBA helps 8(a) firms build their competitive and institutional know-how,
the agency also encourages them to participate in competitive acquisitions.

2012 Supplier Diversity Information Resource Guide

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SECTION 12