Policy, Eligibility, Application, and Affidavit regarding

Certification as Diverse Business (MBE, WBE, VOBE, SDVOBE, IWDBE)

and Small Business (SBF) Enterprises.

Office of Supplier Diversity (OSD)

State of Delaware
Division of Small Business
820 N. French Street, 10th Floor
Wilmington, DE 19801
Telephone: 302-577-8477 Fax: 302-736-7915
Email: OSD@Delaware.gov
Web site: https://business.delaware.gov/osd/
 State of Delaware Office of Supplier Diversity
TABLE OF CONTENTS
for Diverse Businesses (MBE, WBE, VOBE, SDVOBE, & IWDBE) and Small Businesses (SBF)

Table of Contents

Policy ............................................................................................................................................ 3
Policy Statement ............................................................................................................. 3
Purpose ........................................................................................................................... 3
Effective Date .................................................................................................................. 3
General Guidelines for Eligibility..................................................................................... 3
All Applicants ..................................................................................................... 3
Diverse Business Applicants............................................................................... 4
Small Business Applicants .................................................................................. 4
Specific Guidelines for Eligibility ..................................................................................... 5
Diverse Business Applicants............................................................................... 5
Out of State Applicants ...................................................................................... 8
Small Business Applicants .................................................................................. 8
Frequently Asked Questions ...................................................................................................... 10
Documents to submit with Application ..................................................................................... 12
Documents that May be Requested to Supplement Application .............................................. 13
How To Apply ............................................................................................................................. 14
Application ................................................................................................................................. 15
“Certification Application Affidavit” .......................................................................................... 24

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Policy Name: Policy for Diverse and Small Business Certification

Date Issued: Pre-2013, revised 2014
Date Revised: July 13, 2017 -Effective Date August 30, 2017
Policy Owner: Executive Director, OSD

POLICY STATEMENT:
The mission of the Office of Supplier Diversity (OSD) is to assist the entire supplier diversity
community of Minority, Women, Veteran, Service Disabled Veteran, and Individuals with DisAbilities
owned businesses as well as Small businesses of a unique size in competing for the provision of
commodities, services, and construction to State departments, agencies, authorities, school districts,
higher education institutions and all businesses.

Steps to accomplish our mission include:

• Certifying diverse and uniquely sized small businesses enterprises;
• Creating and supporting an online Directory of Certified Businesses , diverse and small, and
also in Open Data;
• Increasing knowledge of and access to opportunities for diverse and small businesses to
participate in state procurement;
• Encourage Supplier Diversity Plans to include utilization of the Directory when making under
threshold procurements; and
• Measuring, analyzing, and reporting on spend for current and future procurements with
diverse and uniquely sized small businesses.
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines and expectations for eligibility for certification as a
diverse or small business.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
OSD will accept the currently used application formats until the effective date of August 30, 2017, after
which on the attached application will be accepted.
GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR ELIGIBILITY:
Generally, certification is met when applicant(s) own and control a minimum of 51% of the firm,
including the daily operation of the business for which customers pay the firm. Control may not be
demonstrated if it is by others who are not the 51% owners, or if the 51% owners do not hold
independent knowledge and ability, which may include licensure, to perform the operations for which
customers pay the firm. The control must rest with the owners applying for certification. If owners
perform only or primarily administrative tasks, which are not services offered to clients, or if owners do
not hold current requisite Delaware licenses or certifications for services provided to customers, then
control may not be met.

The general guidelines regarding eligibility are provided below.

All Business Applicants:
a. A for profit business with “useful business function(s).”
b. Ownership must be held by U.S. Citizen(s) or Permanent Resident(s).

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c. Meet the specific eligibility requirements of the certification being applied for.
Diverse Business Applicants - Minority, Women, Veteran, Service Disabled Veteran, and/
or Individual with DisAbility owned business (sole-proprietorship, partnership, corporation or
joint venture) must meet general guidelines for all business at items a, b, and c above, as well
as the following criteria:
d. Minority groups include: African Americans, Asian/Pacific Americans, Hispanic
Americans, Native Americans, and Subcontinent Asian Americans, and
e. At least 51 percent owned, controlled, and actively managed by: minorities, women,
veterans, service disabled veterans, and/or individuals with DisAbility.
Small Business Applicants – a Small Business must meet general guidelines for all business
at items a, b, and c above, as well as the following criteria:
f. Be within one of the six industry sectors and at or under the eligibility size caps identified
in the chart below; and
g. Operate free from the control of a business larger than the eligibility size caps identified
below.

Small Business NAICS 1 sectors* Small business eligibility and graduation point size
Certification (initial code caps
Industries numbers) FTE Gross sales
(full time equivalents)
Based upon a 3 year average
Architecture & 541
none < $3,500,000
Engineering Services 237
Construction 23 < 250 < $7,000,000
Manufacturing 31
32 < 250 none
33
Retail 42
44 < 25 < $3,500,000
45
Service various < 50 < $3,500,000
Wholesale 42 < 50 none

The size cap is both an eligibility guideline and a graduation point. The size eligibility criteria are based
upon one or all of the following three year averages: (1) gross sales, (2) number of full-time equivalents
(employees), or (3) both (if both categories have a cap then either/both apply). The Small Business Focus
Program is for business enterprises that are 50% of the SBA 2 and Delaware DOT DBE size caps for the
smallest size cap within each industry sector. Those numbers are identified in the chart above.

1 North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) is the standard used by Federal statistical agencies in classifying

business establishments for the purpose of collecting, analyzing, and publishing statistical data related to the U.S. business
economy. A NAICS code has 6 digits. The first 2 to 3 digits are used to identify the industry for the Small Business Focus
Program. You can review NAICS at: https://www.census.gov/naics/
2 You can find the SBA size cap information located at: http://www.sba.gov/content/table-small-business-size-standards. It is

available in PDF or excel formats.

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SPECIFIC GUIDELINES FOR ELIGIBILITY:

Hispanic Americans: Persons having origins
from any of the Spanish-speaking people of
CERTIFICATION APPLICATION México, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Central or South
ELIGIBILITY AS A DIVERSE BUSINESS: America, or the Caribbean Islands;
Information and Definitions
Native Americans: All persons having origins
Certification Application as a Diverse Business: from the original peoples of North America
Contained within these materials is the and who are recognized as Native Americans
application for Minority, Women, Veteran, by a tribe or tribal organization which is
Service Disabled Veteran, and Individual(s) with recognized as eligible for the special programs
DisAbility Business Enterprise certification with and services provided by the United States to
the State of Delaware. All appropriate questions Indians/Native American because of their
must be answered. Please type or print clearly. status as Indians/Native American, and/or is
recognized by the State of Delaware; and/or
Definitions
Minority, Women, Veteran, Service Disabled Subcontinent Asian Americans: All persons
Veteran, and/or Individual with DisAbility whose ancestors originated in India, Pakistan
Owned Business Enterprise or Bangladesh.
Is a business that is at least 51 percent owned,
controlled and actively managed by Minority, Veteran: An individual who has served in the
Women, Veteran, Service Disabled Veteran, United States military or has served in the
and/or Individual with DisAbility group members National Guard of the Unites States for six months
who are United States citizens or persons lawfully and has received a discharge other than a
admitted to the United States for permanent dishonorable discharge.
residence. The business must be a for-profit
business and currently be performing a Useful Service Disabled Veteran: An individual meeting
Business Function. the above criteria for Veteran, who is verified
through VetBiz.gov or the Veteran Administration
Minorities: United States citizens or permanent as a Service Disabled Veteran.
residents who are African (Black) Americans,
Asian/Asian-Pacific Americans, Hispanic Individual with DisAbility: standing is verified by
Americans, Native Americans, Subcontinent Asian a certificate or letter from a government office
Americans, or as defined herein: that: certifies an individual as such, or by the
Social Security Administration, or a Doctor letter
African (Black) Americans: All persons having identifying the fact of a disability and the
origins from any of the Black groups of Africa expected duration of same (see the materials
and all persons having origins in any of the identified on page 13).
original peoples of the Cape Verde Islands;
Certification - A determination by the OSD that a
Asian/Asian-Pacific Americans: All persons for-profit business entity is a Minority Business
having origins from any of the original Enterprise (MBE), Women Business Enterprise
peoples of the Far- East, Asia, or the Pacific (WBE), Veteran Business Enterprise (VOBE),
Islands, including China, Japan, Korea, Samoa, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business
Philippine Islands, and Hawaii, Guam, U.S. Enterprise (SDVOBE), and/or an Individual with
Trust Territories of the Pacific or the Northern DisAbility Business Enterprise (IWDBE).
Marinas; Certifications expire after three years.

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hold any licenses or certifications required by the

Ownership type of business in which they are engaged.
The Minority, Women, Veteran, Service Disabled
Veteran, and Individual(s) with DisAbility Business Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) - A for profit
Enterprise ownership interest in the firm must be business in which at least 51% of the beneficial
real, substantial and continuing and shall go ownership interest and control are held by a
beyond the pro forma ownership of the business minority or minorities. In the case of a
as reflected in its ownership documents. The corporation, minorities must hold at least 51% of
diverse owners shall enjoy the customary voting interest.
incidents of ownership and shall share in the risks
and profits commensurate with their ownership Women Business Enterprise (WBE) - A for-profit
interest as demonstrated both by an examination business in which at least 51% of beneficial
of the substance and form of arrangements. interest and control is held by women. In the case
Ownership is based upon 51% or more ownership of a corporation, women must also hold at least
of the company inclusive of all classes of stock or 51% of the voting interest.
ownership criteria.
Veteran Owned Business Enterprise (VOBE) – A
Control for-profit business in which at least 51% of
Control will be exemplified by possession of the beneficial interest and control is held by veterans.
requisite knowledge and expertise to run the In the case of a corporation, veterans must also
particular business. Control includes the authority hold at least 51% of the voting interest.
to determine the direction of a business, including
but not limited to capital investments and all Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business
other financial transactions; property Enterprise (SDVOBE) – A for-profit business in
acquisitions; day-to-day decisions; contract which at least 51% of beneficial interest and
negotiations; legal matters; selection and hiring of control is held by serviced disabled veterans. In
officers, directors, and employees; operating the case of a corporation, service disabled
responsibility; cost-control; income and dividend veterans must also hold at least 51% of the voting
matters; and the rights of other shareholders or interest.
partners.
Individual with DisAbility Owned Business
The diverse owner(s) must hold the highest officer Enterprise (IWDBE) - A for-profit business which
position in their company, example: Chief at least 51% of beneficial interest and control is
Executive Officer or President. If more than one held by individual(s) with disAbilities. In the case
owner constitutes 51% then all shall hold the of a corporation, individuals with disAbilities must
highest officer positions, except it is not expected also hold at least 51% of the voting interest.
that all are the same office.
Useful Business Function
The diverse owner(s) must demonstrate that they A useful business function is one, which results in
possess the experience, expertise and knowledge the provision of materials, supplies, equipment or
to operate their particular type(s) of business. services to consumers in the State. A business
acting as a conduit to transfer funds to a non-
Expertise limited to office management, diverse business does not constitute a useful
administration, or bookkeeping functions business function unless doing so is a normal
unrelated to the principal business activities of industry practice.
the company is insufficient to demonstrate
control. Diverse owners must also verify that they

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Benefits of Certification c) Serve a for-profit business with “useful

Current certified Minority, Women, Veteran, business functions.” (as defined on pages
Service Disabled Veteran, and/or Individual with 8 and 9),
DisAbility owned firms are eligible to be listed in
the State of Delaware online Directory of Certified Reasons for denial (please note reasons for denial
Businesses, which is hosted on the Office of may include but are not limited to the below)
Supplier Diversity webpage and is available to a) A business located in a state other than
government and public. Delaware must first obtain state-level
certification in its home state, if such
Recertification certification is available. “Home state” is
Recertification is not automatic and is not defined as the state where the company’s
guaranteed. Sixty days prior to expiration of the headquarters are located.
original certification date, firms must submit the b) Securities, which constitute 51%
recertification application and affidavit to remain ownership and control of a company for
certified and actively visible in the State of the purpose of establishing it as an
Delaware’s Minority, Women, Veteran, Service eligible firm, must be held directly by
Disabled Veteran, and/or Individual with Minorities, Women, Veterans, Service
DisAbility Owned Business Enterprise database Disabled Veterans, and/or Individuals
and online Directory. Businesses must continue to with DisAbility. No securities held in trust,
meet eligibility for certification in order to or by a guardian for a minor, shall be
become recertified. Substantial changes in a considered as held by a Minority,
previously certified business may change Women, Veteran, Service Disabled
eligibility. Failure to submit a recertification Veteran, and/or Individual with DisAbility
application will cause the company to be removed in determining the ownership or control
from the online Directory as an expired of the business enterprise unless the
certification. A company whose certification has applicant individual is the sole trustee and
expired for more than 60 days, is invited to sole beneficiary of said trust.
submit a new application for certification, the c) If the business operations do not reflect
recertification option will have tolled. the ownership shown on paper.
d) Firm is not a for-profit business.
Eligibility e) Firm has provided false or misleading
A Minority, Women, Veteran, Service Disabled information
Veteran, and/or Individual with DisAbility Owned f) Control will not be deemed to exist in cases
Business Enterprise (sole-proprietorship, of simple majority or absentee ownership,
partnership, corporation, LLC, or joint venture) or when a non-minority/non-female/non-
must meet the following criteria: veteran/ non-service disabled veteran/non-
individual with DisAbility owner or
a) At least 51 percent owned, controlled and employee of the firm is disproportionately
actively managed by Minority group responsible for its operation.
members (as defined on pages 5 and 6), g) The firm shall not be subject to any formal
Women, Veterans, Service Disabled or informal restrictions, for example
Veterans, and/or Individuals with through: by-laws provisions, partnership
DisAbilities, all of whom are U.S. Citizens agreements, or charter requirements for
or permanent residents; cumulative voting rights or otherwise that
b) Demonstrate ownership and control (as prevents the diverse owners, without the
defined on pages 5, 6 and 7); and cooperation or vote of any owner who is

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not a diverse owner, from making a • the national corporate minority certifying
business decision of the firm. entity National Minority Supplier
h) If the owners of the firm who are not Development Council (NMSDC),
Minority, Women, Veteran, Service • the national corporate women certifying
Disabled Veteran, and/or Individual with entity Women Business Enterprise National
DisAbility are disproportionately Council (WBENC),
responsible for the operation of the firm, • and/or City of Wilmington, DE.
then the firm is not controlled by and shall
not be considered as eligible within the You must attach a copy of the other current
meaning of the definition. Where the actual certification and submit all documents to the OSD;
management of the firm is contracted out if certificates are not issued by your certifying entity
to individuals other than the owner, those then you must provide OSD with the URL link for
persons who have the ultimate power to the location of your company’s certification in the
hire and fire the managers, can, for the online listing of the certifying entity.
purpose of this definition be considered as
controlling the business.
i) The certification application was submitted
incomplete.
j) The applicant abandoned the application CERTIFICATION APPLICATION
and was non-responsive to OSD. ELIGIBILITY AS A SMALL BUSINESS:
Information and Definitions

OUT OF STATE APPLICANTS Ownership

The Small Business Focus (SBF) certification is
An out-of-state company must first be certified in
based upon the size of a business entity rather
its home state before it can be considered for
than who the owners are however, businesses
certification in Delaware. This must be a state-level
cannot be majority owned or controlled by one or
certification, if available. Home state is not
more business entities that are larger than the
restricted to nor only the state of business
eligibility size of the SBF Certification size
formation, rather it is the location of the company’s
headquarters or primary office. A physical location standards.
in Delaware is required to be considered an in-state
applicant; only having a registered agent here does Control
not qualify as in-state. Businesses in the SBF Program cannot be
controlled by a majority nor non-majority owner
If your business is certified by another certifier? that is larger than the eligibility size of the SBF
You may be eligible to respond to a subsection of Program.
the application questions.
Included certifiers: The company may be asked to verify that the
• Delaware Department of Transportation owners/company holds any licenses or
(DelDOT), certifications required in Delaware for the type of
• Maryland Department of Transportation business in which they are engaged.
(MDOT),
• Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Useful Business Function
(PAUCP), A useful business function is one, which results in
• the federal Center for Veterans Enterprise the provision of materials, supplies, equipment or
(VetBiz.va.gov), services to consumers in the State. A business
acting as a conduit to transfer funds to one or
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more business entities that are larger than the cooperation or vote of any non-majority
eligibility size of the SBF Program does not owner including but not limited to one or
constitute a useful business function unless doing more business entities that are larger than
so is a normal industry practice. the eligibility size of the SBF Certification
size standards, from making a business
Reasons for denial (please note denial may include decision for the firm.
but not be limited to the below) h) The certification application was submitted
a) If the majority owner(s) of the firm is one incomplete.
or more business entities that are larger i) The applicant abandoned the application
than the eligibility size of the SBF and was non-responsive to OSD.
Certification size standards.
b) All/any securities, which constitute Benefits of Certification
majority ownership and/or control Current certified Small Businesses are eligible to be
of a company or firm for the listed in the State of Delaware online Directory of
purpose of establishing it as an Certified Businesses, which is hosted on the Office
eligible firm, must not be held by of Supplier Diversity webpage and is available to
one or more business entities that government and public.
are larger than the eligibility size of
the SBF Certification size standards. Recertification
c) If the business operations do not reflect the Recertification is not automatic and is not
ownership shown on paper. guaranteed. Sixty days prior to expiration of the
d) Firm is not a for-profit business. original certification date, firms must submit the
e) Firm has provided false or misleading recertification application affidavit to remain
information. certified and actively visible in the State of
f) Control will not be deemed to exist in cases Delaware’s database and online Directory.
of simple majority, absentee ownership, or Businesses must continue to meet eligibility for
when a non-majority owner is certification in order to become recertified.
disproportionately responsible for its Substantial changes in a previously certified
operation. business may change eligibility. Failure to submit a
g) The firm shall not be subject to any formal recertification application will cause the company to
or informal restrictions through, for be removed from the online Directory as an expired
example: by-law provisions, partnership certification. A company whose certification has
agreements, or charter requirements for expired for more than 60 days, is invited to submit a
cumulative voting rights or otherwise, that new application for certification, the recertification
prevents the majority owners, without the option will have tolled.

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DOCUMENTS TO SUBMIT WITH APPLICATION
for Diverse Businesses (MBE, WBE, VOBE, SDVOBE, & IWDBE) and Small Businesses (SBF)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does certification cost money?

A: No, there is no fee for processing your application.
Q: How long does it take to receive a determination about my company’s application for certification?
A: Generally four to six weeks, provided the applicant is responsive to requests from OSD. Applications
may be terminated for non-responsiveness, after which a new application may be submitted.
Q: Are there any goals or preferences for Certified Businesses?
A: Outside of DBE subcontracting participation goals on certain Department of Transportation
contracts, where federal highway dollars are involved and where certified trades are utilize. Those goals
are set project by project. Delaware’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) certification program
and opportunities are handled through the Department of Transportation (DelDOT). DBE is a different
certification than the state certification of the Office of Supplier Diversity (MBE, WBE, VOBE, SDVOBE,
and IWDBE), as it is used specifically for Transportation work. There is not a requirement to be certified
by the Delaware Office of Supplier Diversity or the Department of Transportation in order to do business
with the state. We have an open, equal, and inclusive procurement process and do business with the
full spectrum of business including traditional, diverse, and small. The value of certification is the
inclusion of your business in the OSD online Directory of Certified Businesses. This directory is used for
business-to-government under-threshold, unadvertised opportunities. The directory is also used by
others for business-to-business opportunities.
Q: Does my certification expire?
A: Yes. Both Diverse and Small Business Certifications expire at the end of three years.
Q: Will I be notified of all procurement opportunities?
A: No. You are strongly encouraged to visit the respective resources including but not limited to:
mmp.delaware.gov/Bids/. To ensure that you are made aware of any advertised contracting
opportunities that match your business, you are encouraged to sign up for our free Vendor Notification
Service. Once properly registered, if a bid is posted that matches your criteria, you will receive
automatic electronic notification that an opportunity has been posted. Access is at: https://
de.blackboardconnect.com/, use the step-by-step guide: https://dti.delaware.gov/or/BBC5/
BBConnect5_Subscriber_Reference.pdf . Additionally, GSS also uses the directory of certified business
to outreach for procurement opportunities.
Q: What is the best way to communicate with the OSD?
A: Email.
Q: Is it advisable to register my business with any other agency?
A: There are multiple agencies that have their own bidders list. Please check the website of each agency
or http://mymarketplace.delaware.gov/. For example, Government Support Services (GSS), the Division
of Facilities Management (DFM), and the Department of Technology and Information (DTI) have vendor
registration processes. The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) has its own Disadvantaged
Business Enterprise (DBE) certification as well as a pre-qualification list for vendors.

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Q: Does certification mean I have a contract with the State of Delaware?

A: No.
Q: Could I possibly be eligible for more than one certification from the Office of Supplier Diversity?
A: Yes. Review the application and apply for any diverse and small business certification for which you
find yourself eligible. OSD may also suggest additional certification categories.
Q: Does OSD communicate with me to help me with access to opportunities?
A: Yes. OSD provides inclusive communication with all businesses: traditional, diverse, and small,
through a list serve and social media. You may check the OSD website at:
http://business.delaware.gov/osd to connect to the communication resources, view the Newsroom,
review Quarterly and Annual reporting, review Meeting Minutes for the Governor’s Supplier Diversity
Council, and more. The list serve link is: http://business.delaware.gov/directory-of-certified-
businesses/, OSD provides notice of various business networking, development, and other events
throughout the state and region.
Q: If I have questions about the application or my eligibility how can I get help?
A: OSD occasionally offers workshops for anyone wanting to ask questions or get help on completing
the applications. The Division of Small Business (DSB) website includes an event calendar, access that
page to learn about these workshops. http://business.delaware.gov/events-calendar/
Q: Will OSD help me with access to Business-to-Business opportunities and in working on my business?

A. No. OSD assists with certification and many Business-to-Government opportunities. However, OSD is
a resource partner with other state offices and outside partners. OSD is happy to refer you to our
partners so that you can work with the best partner for your business needs. Those partners include the
Division of Small Business, Delaware Tourism Office, the corporate and international development team
at Export Delaware, the Small Business Ombudsman within the state Department of Natural Resources
and Environmental Control (DNREC), and others. To reach out to other partners on your own, review
our list of Resource Partners on the DSB website. The website includes a Newsroom page, access that
page to learn about our resource partners.
http://business.delaware.gov .

Q: If my certification application is Denied, what happens?

A. Denials will be provided in writing, inclusive of the reasons for denial. The denial letter will include
the protest process details.

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Application Document Request checklist

Unless otherwise indicated, copies of documents are sufficient. Any deficiency may delay the certification
process. Certification generally takes four to six weeks. An on-site visit may be requested and scheduled by
OSD once the completed application and appropriate supporting documentation are received.

Applicant Documents to attach to your application Sole Part/ Corp/ LLC

Prop LLP S-Corp
All Completed application, identifying all owners constituting 51%
Yes Yes Yes Yes
ownership and control.
All Current Notarized “Certification Application Affidavit”, one each
Yes Yes Yes Yes
for all constituting 51% ownership and control.
All Relevant Professional or Trade Licenses, Certificates, documents
of training, and degrees held by the 51% owner(s), or by the
company based upon the 51% owner(s)’ status for such license or Yes Yes Yes Yes
certificate. (i.e. Electrician, HVAC, Engineer, Medical Profession,
Attorney, Hairdresser License, etc.).
All Current State of Delaware Business License (required for all
Delaware based businesses and for out-of-state businesses
currently performing work in Delaware). (see the Division of Yes Yes Yes Yes
Revenue, Licensing and Registration website with questions at:
http://revenue.delaware.gov/services/Business_Tax/Step3.shtml)
Out of If from out-of-state, copy of other applicable certification from
state home state (home state is the location of the company
diverse headquarters, not the state of formation) (must be a state level Yes Yes Yes Yes
applicants certification, if available). OSD will accept NMSDC and/or WBENC
and/or VetBiz.gov in lieu of home state.
All new Governance Documents: Yes Yes Yes
applicants Partnership Agreement, including any amendments, buy-
Yes
out rights, and profit sharing arrangements
Articles of Incorporation with all amendments Yes
Minutes of the last annual shareholders meeting Yes
If certified
elsewhere, Minutes of the last Board of Directors meeting Yes
only if By-laws and all By-law Amendments Yes
requested. Copy of most recent Stock Ledger Yes
Copy of Operating Agreement, with list of members,
Yes
ownership amount of each member, and capitalization
Franchise Agreement(s), if any Yes Yes Yes Yes
SBF only Seeking Small Business certification – provide the first page of
the past three (3) years of your firm’s tax returns Yes Yes Yes Yes
(gross receipts) (1120, Schedule C of 1040).
Diverse Other documents as identified on page 13, or as may be
Only if requested
requested by OSD.

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DOCUMENTS THAT MAY BE REQUESTED TO SUPPLEMENT APPLICATION
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Additional documents may be requested of Diverse or Small Business Applicants: In

addition to the universal application materials identified as required within this application as well as the
Affidavit, which all diverse and/or small business applicants will provide, OSD may also seek from each 51%
owner a copy of materials to document U.S. Citizenship, permanent residency, ethnicity, gender, veteran
status, and DisAbility status. Below is a non-exhaustive list of possible additional materials that may be
requested. In addition to the list below, if OSD requests of a vendor to provide supporting documents, such
vendor may elect to provide the requested documents and any other documentation for review by OSD for
consideration to support the individual’s standing; such other documentation may or may not be determined
to suffice. Applicants are instructed to not provide any of the below unless specifically requested by OSD

U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Residency:

• U.S. birth certificates, U.S. permanent resident card, U.S. passport, U.S. tribal membership card
Ethnic Minorities:
• Documents of ethnicity may include the birth certificate of the applicant, U.S. Passport identifying
foreign place of origin, and/or tribal registry card.
o If applicant’s birth certificate does not identify ethnicity then also provide the birth and/or death
certificates of applicant’s parent(s) as named on applicant’s birth certificate. If parent(s)’s
documentation does not identify ethnicity, continue in parental lineage with birth or death
certificates. If the document identifies ‘colored’ or any other mark that is not specifically naming an
ethnicity, the applicant will inform OSD which ethnicities apply.
o If Native American, please provide a current tribal membership card from a North American tribe or
nation which is recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United
States to Indians because of their status as Indians, and/or is recognized by the State of Delaware.
o Or other government issued documentation that demonstrates ethnicity to the satisfaction of OSD.
Gender:
• Women may provide birth certificates or current U.S. Passports identifying female gender.
Individuals with Disabilities: any one (1) of the following:
• A Certificate of Disability from the Delaware (or their home state’s) Department of Labor, Division of
Vocational rehabilitation, (The DisAbility itself need not be revealed); or
• A Certificate of Disability from the Delaware (or their home state’s) Division of the Visually Impaired,
(The DisAbility itself need not be revealed); or
• A letter from the U.S. Social Security Administration documenting that named individual is eligible to
receive Social Security Disability Income. (the DisAbility itself and the dollar amount of the SSDI can be
redacted); or
• A letter from a Medical Doctor (M.D.) documenting the person’s name and the fact that they have a
DisAbility and the duration of the DisAbility. (The DisAbility itself need not be revealed); or
• Any other documentation of disability for review by the Office of Supplier Diversity for consideration
to support the individual’s standing as an Individual with DisAbility; such other documentation may or
may not be determined to suffice. The Office of Supplier Diversity may outreach to local and national
resource partners to verify the example of any other documentation without sharing the actual
documents.
Veterans and Service Disabled Veterans:
• The DD214 form for the applicant.
• If Service Disabled, then documentation from the Veterans Administration documenting the fact. (The
DisAbility itself need not be revealed)

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 State of Delaware Office of Supplier Diversity
HOW TO APPLY
for Diverse Business (MBE, WBE, VOBE, SDVOBE, & IWDBE) and/or Small Business (SBF)

HOW TO APPLY
• Complete all appropriate Application questions starting on the next page. Incomplete
applications will not be processed
o Diverse applicants complete Application items: 1 through 9, and 10 through 12
o Small Business applicants complete Application items: 1 through 9, and 13
o Optional Application items for all applicants: 14, 15, 16, & 17
• Provide the required documentation as identified on page 12.
• If requested by OSD, provide additional documentation as identified on page 13.
• If requested by OSD, provide access to business facilities and key personnel for an on-site visit.
(OSD may outreach to request any materials believed to be missing and to schedule an on-site.)
• The Affidavit on page 24 must be signed and notarized by a U.S. Notary Public (most banks do this
free). Faxed or emailed copies of the Affidavit will only be accepted if the notary seal has the
stamped seal with the expiration date visible. Otherwise, mail the original Affidavit with the raised
seal to our office.

Questions that do not apply to your firm should be marked N/A in the space provided. Leaving a
question blank will create delay in processing, as OSD will have to ask you to answer blank questions.

WHERE TO APPLY:
Please return the completed application with notarized signature and required documents.

Applications can be submitted by mail, email, or fax:

Mail:
Office of Supplier Diversity (OSD)
State of Delaware
Division of Small Business
820 N. French Street, 10th Floor
Wilmington, DE 19801

Email: OSD@Delaware.gov

Fax: 302-736-7915

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 State of Delaware Office of Supplier Diversity
APPLICATION
for Diverse Business (MBE, WBE, VOBE, SDVOBE, & IWDBE) and/or Small Business (SBF)

All completed applications must be returned with the appropriate requested documents.

Please type or print clearly

OSD use only: Application Date:________
Mail, email, or fax application to:
Office of Supplier Diversity (OSD)
State of Delaware
Division of Small Business
820 N. French Street, 10th Floor
Wilmington, DE 19801
Telephone: 302-577-8477 Fax: 302-736-7915
Email: OSD@Delaware.gov
Web site: http://business.delaware.gov/osd/

If you have any questions regarding the completion of this application, please send an email to:
OSD@Delaware.gov

Note – Section 1 must be completed in its entirety BY ALL APPLICANTS for the application to be
processed. Incomplete applications will not be processed.
1. Business Name(s), Contact Information, Federal Employee Identification Number or Social Security
Number (FEIN/SSN)
Legal Name of Firm:
Doing Business As (If applicable):
Federal EIN or SSN: E-Mail Address:
Address line 1:

Address line 2:

City: State: Zip Code:

Telephone Number Extension: Fax Number:

Company Web Site Address:

Corp S Corp LLC* Partnership LLP** Sole Proprietor Joint Venture

Date firm was established?

Date firm began doing business (date of first contract or sale)

* Limited Liability Corporation Date firm was established?

** Limited Liability Partnership

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Version date October 24, 2023
 State of Delaware Office of Supplier Diversity
APPLICATION
for Diverse Business (MBE, WBE, VOBE, SDVOBE, & IWDBE) and/or Small Business (SBF)

Note – Section 2 must be completed in its entirety BY ALL APPLICANTS for the application to be processed.

If your company has more than one person constituting the 51% ownership then each owner (up to 51%)
must complete this question number 2 and each owner must execute the Affidavit on page 23.
Incomplete applications will not be processed.

2. Primary owner(s) applicant information

(complete this section for each owner that constitutes the 51% total company ownership applying for
certification – for either or both Diverse and Small Business Certification)
Percentage of ownership:
Name:

Business Title:

Home Address:

City: State: Zip Code:

Telephone Number: Extension: Fax Number:

E-Mail Address:

Date this owner acquired controlling interest?

U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident: No Yes

Diversity Designation (select all that apply to this owner) : I am applying as:
Small Business Female
Black or African American Veteran
Hispanic American Service Disabled Veteran Individual
Subcontinent Asian American Individual with Disability
Asian or Asian-Pacific American Other
Native American Other

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 State of Delaware Office of Supplier Diversity
APPLICATION
for Diverse Business (MBE, WBE, VOBE, SDVOBE, & IWDBE) and/or Small Business (SBF)

Note – Section 3 must be completed in its entirety BY ALL APPLICANTS for the application to be processed.
3. Describe, in detail, what product(s) and/or services your business provides. Include a list of KEYWORDS
that a buyer would search to find your goods or services. Please note the below capabilities narrative will
be posted on the OSD web site. (use up to 2,500 characters including space and punctuation) Use a
separate sheet if needed. (Providing a capabilities statement or brochure will not suffice.)

Note – Section 4 must be filled out in its entirety BY ALL APPLICANTS for the application to be processed.

4. Six digit North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code(s):

(To assist you in determining your NAICS Code(s) go to www.census.gov/naics or call 1-888-756-2427) You
are not limited to set number of NAICS codes, however they must apply to the goods and services or
construction work currently offered and provided by the company for which the eligible owner(s) meet
eligibility. Codes must be six digits. Attach an additional page for more than 12 NAICS codes.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.

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 State of Delaware Office of Supplier Diversity
APPLICATION
for Diverse Business (MBE, WBE, VOBE, SDVOBE, & IWDBE) and/or Small Business (SBF)

Note – Sections 5, 6, 7, and 8 must be completed in their entirety BY ALL APPLICANTS for the application to be
processed.

5. Are there any written, oral, or implied agreements between persons associated in any manner with the firm
concerning its ownership and/or operation? (check one) No Yes
If yes, please explain:

6. If the business is a Corporation, LLP, or LLC; please list the following information:
a. Total shares authorized (the total number of shares possible for the firm):

b. Total shares issued to date (the number of shares that stock certificates have been issued:

c. Are there any restrictions that limit the voting rights of any applicant shareholders, within the By-laws or
Articles of Incorporation, or any other documents? No Yes

If yes, please explain:

7. Has this firm or other firm(s) owned by any of its current owners or officers ever been denied certification by
the OSD or any other certifying entity (check one)? No Yes
(If yes, provide the name of the certifying organization and the reason(s) given for denial, and date of denial.
Attach copies of any relevant documents (letters, appeal documents, etc.).

8. Debarment: Is this company, or any other company owned in full or part by any of this company’s owners
and/or officers, currently prohibited from doing business with the State of Delaware (i.e., license revocation or
denial)? No Yes

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 State of Delaware Office of Supplier Diversity
APPLICATION
for Diverse Business (MBE, WBE, VOBE, SDVOBE, & IWDBE) and/or Small Business (SBF)

Note – Section 9 must be completed BY ALL APPLICANTS for the application to be processed.

9. Is the Business currently certified as a diverse company (minority, woman, veteran, service disabled
veteran, individual with disability, disadvantaged business) or Small Business with any other certifying agency?
If yes, please attach copy of certificate or your firm's directory listing.

If you checked “yes”, please indicate which organization your firm is certified by: No Yes

DBE certified by: City of

DelDOT/MDDOT/PAUCP VetBiz.va.gov NMSDC WBENC Wilmington

Certified as (what type of

Name of Certifying Entity: certification): Expiration Date:

Note – Sections 10 & 11 must be completed in its entirety ONLY BY DIVERSE BUSINESS APPLICANTS seeking
certification for the application to be processed. (There is not a consequence for all applicants to provide this
information if they wish.) Incomplete applications will not be processed.

10. Firm is applying as (please check all that apply to combined 51% of the ownership and control of the
company)
Small Business Female
Black or African American Veteran
Hispanic American Service Disabled Veteran
Subcontinent Asian American Individual with Disability
Asian or Asian-Pacific American Other
Native American Other

11. Type of Business Industry (please check all that apply to the company)
Building Trade Manufacturer
Consultant Supplier
Generalized Service Highway Construction
Licensed professional services Technology
Other (explain)

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 State of Delaware Office of Supplier Diversity
APPLICATION
for Diverse Business (MBE, WBE, VOBE, SDVOBE, & IWDBE) and/or Small Business (SBF)

Note – Section 12 must be completed in its entirety ONLY IF APPLYING AS A DIVERSE BUSINESS seeking new
certification. Incomplete applications will not be processed. Any portion left blank is considered as an
incomplete response. If applying for Small Business ONLY, you may skip this question.
Note – Applicants currently certified by one of the entities identified in Section 9(a) may skip Section 12.
Name(s) of all individuals performing Percentage Ethnicity/Race
12.
these tasks. Place an asterisk * next of time Veteran & Service Disabled/
to the name of the person who has spent on Individual with
final decision authority. this activity Disability/Gender

Financial Decisions

Estimating & Bidding

Negotiating &
Contract Execution

Personnel
Management

Field/Production
Operations
Supervisor

Office Management

Marketing/Sales

Purchasing of Major
Equipment

Authorized to Sign
Company Checks (for
any purpose)

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 State of Delaware Office of Supplier Diversity
APPLICATION
for Diverse Business (MBE, WBE, VOBE, SDVOBE, & IWDBE) and/or Small Business (SBF)

Note – Section 13 columns: “Year Ending” and “Gross Sales” may be completed BY ALL APPLICANTS for the
application to be processed. Incomplete applications will not be processed.
SBF ONLY:
• All three columns must be completed by SMALL BUSINESS APPLICANTS seeking certification for the
application to be processed.
• Small Business Applicants must complete this form and also provide the first page of the past three (3)
years of your firm’s tax returns (gross receipts) (1120, Schedule C of 1040).

13. Please list your gross receipts and number of full time equivalents (FTEs) for last three years:
(instructions below). NOTE: SBF is based upon a three-year average, if your company has not been in business
for three years, you are still welcome to apply. Please list the past three years below and indicate zeros for the
Gross Sales and FTEs for the years you were not yet open.

Year ending Gross Sales FTEs*

*FTE means Full Time Equivalent and equals 2,080 hours per year or less, per employee. For folks who work
more than 2,080 hours each year, you only count 2,080. Otherwise count all hours of each worker – tally
them, and divide by 2,080. That number is then rounded down to a whole number. That is your FTE number
for each year.

Use this guide to calculate the number of FTEs.

HOW TO CALCULATE “FTE”:

ABC Company has 10 employees plus the owner. In year 2016, they worked as follows:
Owner works 60 hours a week 50 weeks each year (2 weeks’ vacation) = 3,000 hours only count 2,080
3 full time employees work 40 50 weeks (2 weeks’ vacation each) = 2,000 each, count all 6,000
hours a week 6,000 total
7 part time employees all the payroll records totals 7,380 hours, = 7,380 total count all 7,380
working various hours no one worked more than 2,080 hours
Total = 15,460
7 FTEs

Add: (the owner 2,080) + (the 3 full timers 6,000) + (staff 7,380) = 15,460 total hours and divide by 2,080 (1 FTE).
(15,460/2,080 = 7.43) then round down to the nearest whole number = 7. The results is 7 FTEs for ABC Company.
Now take a moment to determine your FTEs for each of the past three years and fill in the chart.

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 State of Delaware Office of Supplier Diversity
APPLICATION
for Diverse Business (MBE, WBE, VOBE, SDVOBE, & IWDBE) and/or Small Business (SBF)

OPTIONAL QUESTIONS 14 & 15

You are not required to answer the following questions and the answers will not affect your company’s
eligibility for certification. However, the answers will help OSD to identify business opportunities that may be
suited to your company. Answers may be estimated; exact figures are not necessary.

14. OPTIONAL Identify persons or firms who provide Legal, Accounting, and Banking services:

Attorney: Contact:

Address:
Phone: Fax: Email:
Accountant: Contact:
Address:
Phone: Fax: Email:
Bank: Contact:

Phone: Fax: Email:

15. OPTIONAL List the three largest contracts or sales completed by the firm during the last three years. List
each customer’s name and company or organization, the dollar amount of each contract or sale,and the date
completed. If any are subcontracts, provide the name of the firm to which you subcontracted.
a) Company or Individual:

Address, City, State:

Phone: Fax: Email:

Description & Amount:

b) Company or Individual:

Address, City, State:

Phone: Fax: Email:

Description & Amount:

c) Company or Individual:
Address, City, State:
Phone: Fax: Email:
Description & Amount:

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 State of Delaware Office of Supplier Diversity
APPLICATION
for Diverse Business (MBE, WBE, VOBE, SDVOBE, & IWDBE) and/or Small Business (SBF)

OPTIONAL QUESTIONS 16 & 17

You are not required to answer the following questions and the answers will not affect your company’s
eligibility for certification. However, the answers will help OSD to identify business opportunities that may be
suited to your company. Answers may be estimated; exact figures are not necessary.

16. OPTIONAL QUESTIONS

How many years has your company been conducting business with you as owner?
How many contracts, subcontracts, and/or sales has your company completed during the last 12
months?
What is the largest contract, subcontract, or sale your company completed
in the past 24 months
Has your company done any business with government? No Yes
If yes, what level of government (check all that apply): Federal State Local
Has your company done any business with government in the State of Delaware? No Yes
Number of government contracts, subcontracts, or sales completed (estimate):
For Construction-Related Companies Only (not including suppliers of construction materials)
What is your company’s bonding capacity? (indicate “unknown” if you do not know) $
What % of your business is direct contracting?
What % of your business is subcontracting?

17. OPTIONAL How did you hear about the Office of Supplier Diversity?
OSD staff speak at an event sponsored by organization OSD staff at a trade show or expo
OSD's website Materials published by OSD
Referred by another organization Referred by the owner of an OSD or SBF

Delaware state employee Other - please explain briefly:

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 State of Delaware Office of Supplier Diversity
“CERTIFICATION APPLICATION AFFIDAVIT”
for Diverse Business (MBE, WBE, VOBE, SDVOBE, & IWDBE) and/or Small Business (SBF)

This form must be completed by each owner upon whom certification is requested.
I (full name printed), am the (title) of the applicant firm

(full name of the company). I have read and understood

all of the questions in this application and attest that all of the foregoing information and statements submitted in this application and its
attachments and supporting documents are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, and that all responses to the questions are full
and complete, omitting no material information. The responses include all material information necessary to fully and accurately identify
and explain the operations, capabilities, and pertinent history of the named firm as well as the ownership, control, and affiliations thereof.

I certify that I am a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident and that I own percent of the above-referenced firm seeking certification.
In support of my application, I certify that I am a member of one or more of the following groups, and that I have held myself out as a
member of the group(s): (If applying ONLY as a Small Business then just check that option and no others, otherwise, check ALL that apply.)
I am applying as:
Small Business Female
Black or African American Veteran
Hispanic American Service Disabled Veteran
Subcontinent Asian American Individual with DisAbility
Asian or Asian-Pacific American Other
Native American Other
I agree to provide additional documents as may be requested to document my membership in any of the diverse or small business
groups I have self-identified, and authorize OSD or other state agency to contact any entity named in the application for the purpose of
verifying the information and determining my eligibility and/or the named firm's eligibility. I recognize that the information submitted in
this application is for the purpose of inducing certification approval by a government agency. I understand that a government agency
may, by means it deems appropriate, determine the accuracy and truth of the statements in the application. I agree to submit to a
scheduled on-site visit if requested, and to permit interviews of the firm’s principals, agents, and employees. I understand that refusal
to permit such inquiries shall be grounds for denial of Certification.

I agree to provide written notice to the Office of Supplier Diversity of any material change in the information contained in the original
application within 30 calendar days of such change (e.g., ownerships, address/telephone number, etc.).

I acknowledge and agree that any misrepresentations in this application will be grounds for denial or revocation of certification,
suspension and debarment, and for initiating action under federal and/or state law concerning false statement, fraud, or other
applicable offenses. I declare under penalty of perjury that the information provided in this Affidavit, application, and supporting
documents is true and correct.

Applicant owner’s signature

Subscribed and sworn to before me this day of a.d.

Signed

NOTARY PUBLIC IN AND FOR THE

County of Notary Seal
State of

My Commission Expires

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