Classification Guidelines

Minority Business Enterprise (MBE)

• A business enterprise, regardless of size, physically located in the United States or its trust territories, which is majority owned by minority group members. These groups include African American, Asian Pacific American, Hispanic American, Native American or Subcontinent Asian American
• National certifying agency: National Minority Supplier Development Council
• Local certifying agency: Carolina-Virginia Minority Supplier Development Council

Service-Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (SDVBE)

• A business enterprise majority owned by a veteran with a service-connected disability
• National certifying agency: Vets First Verification Program
• Local certifying agency: North Carolina Veterans Business Association

Small Business Enterprise (SBE)

• A business enterprise having fewer than 500 employees or the business ownership assets are no more than $750K or it is a qualified 8(a) firm
• SBEs are required to register in the SAMS database (sam.gov), indicate their NAICS code and confirm that they are a “Small Business Concern”.

Veteran Business Enterprise (VBE)

• A business enterprise majority owned by a veteran
• National certifying agency: Vets First Verification Program
• Local certifying agency: North Carolina Veterans Business Association

Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE)

• A business enterprise majority owned by one woman or by two or more women
• National certifying agency: Women Business Enterprises Council (WBENC) or one of their 13 chapters across the country or a local or state agency
• Local certifying agency: Greater Women's Business Council