The Complete Supplier Diversity Glossary
AbilityOne
The AbilityOne Program is a federal program to assist people who are blind or have other significant disabilities find employment by working within a national network of non-profit agencies that sell products and services to the U.S. government. This program is intended for non-profit agencies that provide employment opportunities and training to people who are blind or have significant disabilities.
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African American
African American ownership is a company level diversity certification. Generally, this certification is non-industry specific but requires that the company is at least 51% owned, operated and controlled by one or more African Americans.
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Any Ownership / Diversity
Ownership Certification is a company level diversity certification. Generally, this certification is non-industry specific but requires that the company is at least 51% owned, operated and controlled by the minority or group.
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Asian-Indian
Asian-Indian ownership is a company level diversity certification. Generally, this certification is non-industry specific but requires that the company is at least 51% owned, operated and controlled by one or more Asian-Indians.
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Asian-Pacific American
Asian-Pacific American ownership is a company level diversity certification. Generally, this certification is non-industry specific but requires that the company is at least 51% owned, operated and controlled by one or more Asian-Pacific Americans.
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Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE)
DBE is a company level diversity certification. DBE certification is usually intended for companies wishing to work on Department of Transportation contracts.
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Hispanic American
Hispanic American ownership is a company level diversity certification. Generally, this certification is non-industry specific but requires that the company is at least 51% owned, operated and controlled by one or more Hispanic Americans.
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Historically Underutilized Business (HUB)
Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) is a company level diversity certification that is generally issued by a State Government to increase the amount of goods and services acquired by that state from HUBs. HUB certification is non-industry specific and is intended for organizations owned and operated at least 51% by a designated minority group.
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HUBZone
HUBZone is a company level diversity certification referring to the Historically Underutilized Business Zone program that helps small businesses located in distressed areas gain preferential access to federal procurement opportunities. To be eligible for HUBZone certification, an organization must be a small business (according to SBA standards), be owned and controlled at least 51% by U.S. citizens, or a Community Development Corporation, an agricultural cooperative or an Indian tribe, be located within a HUBZone and at least 35% of its employees must reside in a HUBZone.
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LGBT Business Enterprise (LGBTBE)
LGBT Business Enterprise (LGBTBE) is a company-level diversity certification verifying that a business is majority-owned by an LGBT individual. To qualify, a company must be at least 51% owned, operated, managed, and controlled by an LGBT person who is either a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident. Third-party certification is issued exclusively by the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC).
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Minority Business Enterprise (MBE)
MBE is a company level ownership/diversity certification. Organizations wishing to become MBE certified should contact the appropriate government body.
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Minority Ownership
Minority Owned Business certification is a company level diversity certification. Generally, this certification is non-industry specific but requires that the company is at least 51% owned, operated and controlled by a member of a minority group.
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Native American
Native American ownership is a company level diversity certification. Generally, this certification is non-industry specific but requires that the company is at least 51% owned, operated and controlled by one or more Native Americans.
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SBA 8(a)
SBA (8a) is an ownership/diversity certification sponsored by the Small Business Association (SBA) of the United States government. This certification is intended for organizations that are owned and controlled at least 51% by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals.
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Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business
Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) is a company diversity registration which designates that a company is owned and operated by a veteran who suffered a disability while in the military service. This certification is non-industry specific and requires that the firm meets the small business requirements established by the Small Business Administration (SBA). Organizations wishing to become verified as a service disabled veteran owned business can submit an application to the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA).
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Small & Disadvantaged Business
Small and Disadvantaged Business represents company level ownership certification issued by authorities including local, state, and federal governmental bodies. Certifications are intended for organizations that are at least 51% owned, operated, and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals or located within an underutilized business zone.
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Small Business Enterprise (SBE)
SBE is a company level diversity certification. SBE certification is non-industry specific.
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Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB)
SDB is an ownership/diversity self-certification recognized by the Small Business Association (SBA) of the United States government. This certification is intended for organizations that are owned and operated at least 51% by one or more disadvantaged persons.
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Veteran Owned Small Business
Veteran Owned Small Business (VOSB) is a company diversity registration designated under the Veteran Benefits, Health Care, and Information Technology Act of 2006 (Public Law 109-461). This certification is non-industry specific and requires that the firm meets the small business requirements established by the Small Business Administration (SBA). Organizations wishing to become verified as a veteran owned small business can submit an application to the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA).
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Veteran Owned
Veteran Owned is a company level diversity registration. Generally this certification is non-industry specific but requires that the company is at least 51% owned, operated and controlled by a veteran.
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Woman Owned
Woman Ownership certification is a company level diversity certification. Generally, this certification is non-industry specific but requires that the company is at least 51% owned, operated and controlled by women.
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Woman Owned Small Business (WOSB)
Woman Owned Small Business (WOSB) is a company level diversity certification based on requirements defined by the Small Business Association (SBA). To be eligible for the SBA’s WOSB program, a company must be at least 51% owned and controlled by a female U.S. citizen.
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Women Business Enterprise (WBE)
WBE is a company level diversity certification that can be issued at the federal, state or local levels and requirements for application will vary dependent on the certificate issuer. To be eligible for a certification as a WBE, generally an organization must be at least 51% owned and controlled by a female U.S. citizen.
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