Certification is not always required to do business with the government, but it can be beneficial. Some government contracts may require certification as a prerequisite for bidding or eligibility.
Did you know that the Federal Government is the world’s largest purchaser of goods & services? Similar to the Federal Government, many large corporations require that a percentage of their corporate contracts go to women and minority-owned businesses. Government contracting is the process that lets you sell your goods or services to the government and its various agencies. The government has a contract, or agreement, with you whereby it purchases what you do or make. And U.S. government agencies buy a lot from small businesses – nearly $100 billion worth of goods and services each year! If you want to make the government your customer, there’s a good chance there’s a need for what you offer. As a small business owner with the proper certifications, you have the opportunity to secure these contracts. For businesses who don’t have a lot of experience marketing to Government contacts, the entire process can be overwhelming. There are a lot of avenues you can take to get your business out as a viable option.
State and Local WBE/MBE (Women/Minority Business Enterprise) certification is a designation given to businesses that are at least 51% owned, controlled, and operated by women and/or members of a minority group. This certification is provided by state and local governments, and it may be required for certain contracts.