MBE SPONSORS

THE NEW CERTIFICATION SYSTEM

The National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) has launched its new online certification and re-certification platform, NMSDC Hub. Effective immediately, NMSDC will manage all certification and re-certification processes previously overseen by CRMSDC. You can access the information here.

Certification begins with understanding the eligibility requirements and gathering the documents you’ll need to complete the application. Once submitted, NMSDC’s certification specialists will review your application and be available to support you with any questions throughout the process.

What is an MBE?

As a NMSDC certified MBE, you are in the unique position to promote and market your services to prospective corporate buyers who are looking to build relationships with trusted minority business enterprises (MBEs). If your company wants to connect with private sector buyers, NMSDC’s certification is considered the platinum standard in supplier diversity and can improve your financial performance. We invite you to take a look at the benefits of being certified with us.

MBE Benefits

The National Minority Supplier Development Council’s (NMSDC) certification comes with numerous benefits and services. Our mission involves connecting minority business enterprises (MBEs) with corporations, the public sector, and other Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) to help them benefit from each other—fueling entrepreneurship and growing wealth in systemically excluded communities.

Certified minority businesses gain opportunities to network with our corporate members, pitch their business, and access educational programs and financial solutions.

While certification does not guarantee a major contract, it does create opportunities to leverage the NMSDC network and events to reach potential customers who understand the business imperative of building an inclusive supplier base.

  • MBE Database – Certified businesses build searchable profiles in our database of MBEs, which corporations and other MBEs use to find potential suppliers. Showcase your company to potential customers through video, capability statements, and AI-integrated search.
  • Access – MBEs gain exposure to hundreds of member corporations and 17,000+ other MBEs, creating opportunities to engage in business, form partnerships, establish strategic alliances, and build joint ventures for success.
  • Conferences & Exchanges — NMSDC and its regional affiliates hold the largest U.S. conferences focused on minority business development. MBEs can present themselves to hundreds of prospective buyers, government agencies, and procurement professionals in a single setting.
  • Capacity Building — NMSDC has created capital access opportunities for MBEs throughout their business life cycle through our partnership with the Business Consortium Fund, the Growth Initiative Certification, and Capital Managers Program.
  • Contract Opportunities – NMSDC facilitates business connections between buying agencies and MBEs, laying the groundwork for future partnerships and business growth.
  • Customized Education and Development – NMSDC offers a wide range of programs, targeted training, and technical assistance to help build stronger, more sustainable businesses, while also developing leadership tools for MBE CEOs.
  • Networking Opportunities – NMSDC helps expand your network and strengthen your business relationships through intentional, high-impact connections.

MBE Certification Requirements

To get your business certified as a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) it must be at least 51% owned, managed and controlled by one or more qualified minority group members. For additional details regarding what is required during the certification process, go to the National Minority Supplier Development Council’s (NMSDC) website: www.nmsdc.org. 

  1. Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) must be a currently-functioning for-profit enterprise and physically located in the U. S. or its trust territories which:
    • is an independent business concern that is at least 51% independently owned, managed and controlled by one or more minority group member(s)
    • demonstrates the capability to perform a line of business
    • provides a commercially useful business function according to customs and practices of the industry
  2. The controlling interest in a firm represented to be minority shall be by one or more CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. For the purposes of NMSDC’s program, a minority group member is an individual who is at least 25% Asian, Black, Hispanic or Native American.
    • Asian-Indian: A U.S. citizen whose origins are from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.
    • Asian-Pacific: A U.S. citizen whose origins are from Japan, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan, Korea, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, the Philippines, Thailand, Samoa, Guam, the U.S. Trust Territories of the Pacific or the Northern Marianas.
    • Black: A U.S. citizen who is of African descent (excluding Northern Africa).
    • Hispanic: A U.S. citizen of true-born Hispanic heritage, from any of the Spanish-speaking areas of the following regions: Mexico, Central America, South America and the Caribbean Basin only. Brazilians (Afro-Brazilian, indigenous/Indian only) shall be listed under Hispanic designation for review and certification purposes.
    • Native American: A person who is an American Indian, Eskimo, Aleut or Native Hawaiian, and regarded as such by the community of which the person claims to be a part. Native Americans must be documented members of a North American tribe, band or otherwise organized group of native people who are indigenous to the continental United States and proof can be provided through a Native American Blood Degree Certificate (i.e., tribal registry letter, tribal roll register number).
  3. The minority ownership and control shall be real and continuing and not created solely to take advantage of special programs aimed at minority supplier development.
  4. The minority owner(s) shall enjoy the customary incidents of ownership and shall share in the risks and profits and shall have contributed capital, equipment and/or expertise to the business commensurate with his/her percentage of ownership.
  5. The contributions of capital or expertise by the minority owner(s) to acquire their interests in the firms shall be real and sustainable.
  6. To be considered operational, applicants must be able to produce supporting documents to show the company is operational and not a hobby. (i.e. business receipts.)
  7. The minority owner(s) shall possess the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of the firm and shall possess the capability of making day-to-day as well as major decisions on matters of management, policy and operations of the firm. There shall be no restriction on the minority owner’s ability to control which would prevent the minority owner from making a business decision without the cooperation or vote of a non-minority person. Such control shall be known or at least tacitly acknowledged in day-to-day operations by employees and business references of the business. Where licenses are required to perform the functional mission of the company, such licenses shall be held in the name and/or independent control of minorities.
  8. All securities which constitute ownership of a corporation for purposes of establishing it as a minority business enterprise shall be held directly by the minority owner(s). No securities held in trust or by any guardian for a minority shall be considered held by minority persons in determining ownership and control of the corporation, except if certain conditions apply.
  9. Applicant must supply the requested documents, via NMSDC Hub portal upload, that apply to the type of business enterprise in which the Applicant is engaged. Incomplete applications cannot and will not be processed. NMSDC reserves the right to request further information from the Applicant prior to or during the certification process. All materials submitted shall be retained by NMSDC.
  10. All funds are non-refundable. You have a maximum of 90 days to submit your documentation from the date of payment. If you do not submit the required documents, NMSDC reserves the right to administratively withdraw your file from the process.

Fee Schedule

(All fees are non-refundable)

Fee Category Class I: Under $1M Class II: $1M – $10M Class III: $10M – $50M Class IV: Over $50M
Application Processing Fee $350 $350 $350 $350
Initial Certification Fee $350 $600 $900 $1200
Expedited  Processing Fee (as available) $1200 $1200 $1200 $1200

The Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Subscription is a select add-on that provides a multitude of value-added services for MBEs. The MBE Subscription Services was created upon recognizing the need to help businesses make an even greater impact in the marketplace. MBEs are not required to purchase the subscription. Please note that certification and recertification fees are not part of the subscription.

All services will be available for certified MBEs who qualify based on National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) verification. These services will be provided annually and extend until your expiration date. *Subscription services are available to certified MBEs who are outside of CRMSDC, and who are certified and in good standing with a Regional Affiliate Council within the NMSDC network.

Fees for Subscription Services are billed based on Classes:

Fee Category Class I: Under $1M Class II: $1M – <$10M Class III: $10M – <$50M Class IV: Over $50M
Fees for Subscription Services $500 $750 $1050 $1350

WHAT IS AN MBE? A MBE (Minority Business Enterprise) eligible for certification through the CRMSDC must be a for-profit business that is owned, operated and controlled by a person (or persons) who is both a citizen of the United States, and who is ethnically at least 25% (by birth or bloodline) African-American/Black, Hispanic/Latino American, Native American, Asian-Pacific American, or Asian-Indian American.

WHAT IS MBE CERTIFICATION? MBE Certification is the process by which the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) verifies the minority ownership status of a business. Through this process, NMSDC confirms that an approved business is owned, operated, and controlled by individuals who are recognized as members of a minority group. Certification is granted in alignment with NMSDC’s established guidelines.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF CERTIFICATION FOR AN MBE?

  • Validation of MBE status
  • Opportunities for Sales and Marketing
  • Access to Educational Programs
  • Business Advisory Services
  • Technical and/or financial assistance and support
  • National/International Market Access

HOW DOES A CORPORATION/ COMPANY BENEFIT BY DOING BUSINESS WITH A CERTIFIED MBE?

  • Cost effective
  • Opportunity to identify potential strategic partners
  • Expanding customer base/market share
  • Access to emerging markets in urban and global markets
  • Compliance with governmental requirements
  • Contribution to the economic viability of MBEs and the communities in which they are located
  • Assurance of NMSDC certification quality and stringent requirements

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR CERTIFICATION? For purposes of National Minority Supplier Development Council’s (NMSDC) program, a minority group member is an individual who is a U.S. citizen with at least 1/4 or 25% minimum ownership (documentation to support claim of 25% required from applicant) and is a person whose bloodline reflects an indigenous heritage from the following countries:

  • Black | African American – A U.S. citizen having origins in any of the Black racial groups of Sub-Sahara Africa. These countries include: Angola; Benin; Botswana; Burkina-Faso; Burundi; Cameroon; Cape Verde; Central African Republic; Chad; Comoros; Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC); Cote d’Ivoire; Djibouti; Equatorial Guinea; Eritrea; Ethiopia; Gabon; Gambia; Ghana; Guinea; Guinea-Bissau; Kenya; Lesotho; Liberia; Madagascar; Malawi; Mali; Mauritania; Mauritius; Mozambique; Namibia; Niger; Nigeria; Rwanda; Sao Tome &Principe; Senegal; Seychelles; Sierra Leone; Somalia; South Africa; Swaziland; Tanzania; Togo; Uganda; Western Sahara; Zambia; and Zimbabwe. Caribbean natives of African descent are also eligible. These islands include Aruba; Barbados; Bonaire; the Cayman Islands; Saint Croix; The Bahamas or Antigua; Cuba; Hispaniola; Puerto Rico; Jamaica; Dominica; Montserrat; Saba; Saint Kitts; Saint Lucia; Saint Thomas; Saint John; Tortola; Grenada; Saint Vincent; Guadeloupe; Martinique; and Trinidad & Tobago.
  • Hispanic | Latin American – A U.S. citizen of true-born Hispanic heritage, from any of the Spanish-speaking areas of the following regions:Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Central America, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, South America, Uruguay, Venezuela.The Caribbean Basin only, Brazilians (Afro-Brazilian, indigenous/Indian only) shall be listed under Hispanic designation for review and certification purposes.
  • Native American – A person who is an American Indian, Eskimo, Aleut or Native Hawaiian, and regarded as such by the community of which the person claims to be a part.Native Americans must be documented members of a North American tribe, band or otherwise organized group of native people who are indigenous to the continental United States and proof can be provided through a Native American Blood Degree Certificate (i.e., tribal registry letter, tribal roll register number).
  • Asian-Indian – A U.S. citizen whose origins are from the Asian Indian region. These countries include Bangladesh; India; Indonesia; Nepal; Pakistan; Sri Lanka.
  • Asian-Pacific – A U.S. citizen whose origins are from the Asian Pacific region. These countries include the following: Cambodia; China; Guam; Japan; Korea; Laos; Malaysia; the Philippines; Samoa; Thailand; Tibet; Taiwan; the U.S. Trust Territories of the Pacific or the Northern Marianas; and, Vietnam.

Being born in one of the countries listed above DOES NOT, by itself, qualify an individual as an ethnic minority.

WHAT GROUPS ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR CERTIFICATION? Groups not certifiable are those whose origins or heritage are of or from:

  • Iberian Peninsula (Spain, Portugal)
  • Asia Minor Region (peninsula between the Black Sea & the Mediterranean)
  • Persian Gulf (Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, etc.)
  • Europe
  • Northern Africa (Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Algeria, etc.)

DO YOU CERTIFY PARENT / HOLDING COMPANIES? As a general rule, NMSDC does not certify holding companies. Further, for the purposes of certification, NMSDC does not certify brands. The Council may certify such a subsidiary only if there is cumulatively fifty-one percent (51%) ownership of the subsidiary by minorities.

WHAT IS THE NMSDC? The National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) is one of the country’s leading business membership organizations that provides a direct link between corporate America and Minority-Owned Businesses. The NMSDC was chartered in 1972 to provide increased procurement and business opportunities for minority businesses of all sizes.

WHAT IS THE COST OF THE CRMSDC MBE CERTIFICATION? There is a NON-REFUNDABLE processing fee of $350.00 for the submission of the application. See Fees tab for the cost of the annual certification fee, which is based on annual sales.

WHAT QUALIFIES ME TO BECOME MBE CERTIFIED BY CRMSDC?

  • A minimum of 51% of the company must be owned by an ethnic minority or group of minorities.
  • Day-to-day operation and management control must be in the hands of the minority owner(s).
  • The owner(s) must be a U.S. Citizen. Green card holders/resident aliens are not eligible for certification.
  • The company headquarters must be located in the District of Columbia, Maryland, or Northern Virginia (down to Fredericksburg).

WHAT IS THE CERTIFICATION PROCESS? National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) certification recognizes those businesses that apply for certification and meet the eligibility criteria. Getting certified begins with gaining an understanding of the certification criteria and gathering the necessary information and documentation to complete the application. A dedicated team of certification specialists will review your application and work with you should you have any questions.

Learn More about the Certification Process here.

WHAT IS A SITE VISIT? A site visit is a physical tour and on-site interview with your company’s owner(s), conducted by the Council’s Certification Specialist, at the company’s physical address.

HOW LONG IS CERTIFICATION VALID? The certification is valid for one year and must be renewed each year.

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO BECOME CERTIFIED? The certification process takes between 30 to 90 days to complete.

DO I NEED TO COMPLETE EVERY ITEM IN THE APPLICATION? Yes, all items applicable to your company must be completed on the application. Additionally, all required documents must be uploaded prior to submission of the application. If in doubt, contact the MBE Services.

WHAT ARE MBE SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES? The Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Subscription is a select add-on that provides a multitude of value-added services for MBEs. The MBE Subscription Services was created upon recognizing the need to help businesses make an even greater impact in the marketplace. MBEs are not required to purchase the subscription. Please note that certification and recertification fees are not part of the subscription.

WHY MUST WE SUBMIT THE COMPANY’S FINANCIAL INFORMATION? Financial information is critical in validating a company’s business legitimacy. All information is kept confidential.

WHO HAS ACCESS TO MY APPLICATION? The NMSDC staff has access to your application. Everyone who has access to the applicant’s information must sign a nondisclosure / confidentiality agreement yearly.

I AM A RESIDENT ALIEN / GREEN CARD HOLDER, AM I ELIGIBLE FOR MBE CERTIFICATION? No; the NMSDC guidelines require that an applicant must be a US citizen. Green card holders are not US citizens.

WHAT ARE NAICS CODES? Major corporations use NAICS codes and key word to identify business opportunities. If your NAICS code is not precise and concise, you will miss out on potential business opportunities. Please be smart about the selection of your code(s). Major corporations are not looking for a “jack-of-all-trades.” They are looking for functional experts. North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) is an industry classification system that groups’ establishments into industry sectors based on the activities in which they are primarily engaged. The NAICS code is a comprehensive system covering the entire field of economic activities, producing and non-producing. This system replaces the former Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) designations. Corporate America as well as some local, state, and federal government entities use NAICS codes. You are required to identify your businesses’ NAICS designation code. The NMSDC and corporate buying groups use NAICS codes to identify certified MBEs. Six digit NAICS codes are required.

WHAT CHANGES WOULD AFFECT MY CERTIFICATION STATUS?

  • If a change occurs in your business, it is your responsibility to inform NMSDC within thirty (30) days. The following is a list of common situations:
  • Change in ownership, management, control, or operations
  • Relocation of a business
  • Change of products or services

CERTIFICATION AGREEMENTS: While some government agencies may require a separate certification process, being certified with the NMSDC can save time, reduce paperwork, and expedite approval for their supplier diversity program. Contact us about our certification agreements with:

WSSC, MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY, BALTIMORE COUNTY

MBE Recertification

A certified MBE must submit a recertification application through The NMSDC Hub. To ensure that there is no lapse in certification, you can submit your application up to 90 days prior to your expiration date.

Recertification applications submitted after expiration may incur a late fee. To find your company’s certification expiration date, please refer to your MBE profile in The NMSDC Hub or your certificate.

NMSDC Certification

Certified minority businesses gain opportunities to network with our corporate members, pitch their business, and access educational programs and financial solutions.