About Us 
Welcome
Welcome to our website! We hope you find the information we’re providing you to be helpful and of value to your business. The mission of the Department of Minority Business Enterprise (“DMBE”) is to promote access to the Commonwealth of Virginia’s contracting opportunities and ensure fairness in the procurement process. We are the state agency dedicated to enhancing the participation of our small, women- and minority-owned businesses in Virginia’s procurement process.
DMBE administers two certification programs: the Small, Women- and Minority-owned Businesses under Virginia’s “SWaM” Procurement Initiative, and the federal U.S. Department of Transportation’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (“DBE”) Program. DMBE also provides support to our certified businesses through business development and procurement advocacy programs.
DMBE has two strategic goals: (1) increase the number of certified businesses in the Commonwealth, and (2) increase the total amount of state expenditures with SWaM vendors.
For more information on the Department of Minority Business Enterprise, click "About Us"
SWaM Certification
Beginning July 9, 2007, businesses seeking certification as a Small, Women- or Minority-owned (“SWaM”) Business will no longer have to wait for up to 30-days to obtain approval. The Department of Minority Business Enterprise (“DMBE”) will certify applicants upon receipt of the printed and signed application and the business owner's proof of identification. The applicants will then have up to 30 days to submit the required supporting documents to substantiate their eligibility.
To obtain SWaM certification, you must:
1: Complete the on-line application;
2: Sign and date the printed application;
3: Mail the application and proof of the business owner's identification to DMBE; and
4: Submit the required supporting documents within 30 days. (Failure to submit the information will result in the expiration of your certification)
You can click on the highlighted links above for more information or click here.
News You Can Use
- Customer Care Operator is now available! For information about SWaM Certification, the federal Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Certification Program, or to check the status of your application, please contact DMBE’s Customer Care Specialist at 804.786.1718 or call the main number at 804.786-5560 and press option 1, Certification Inquiries.
- Changes to SWaM Certification. Applicants to the SWaM Certification Program should note the changes to the Program. Click here for more information!
- Update Your Email Address or Contact Information Today! It is very important to keep your contact information—especially your email address—up to date because state buyers may be trying to contact you. You don’t want to miss a business opportunity because of an invalid email address or telephone number. Submit your changes to the DMBE Customer Care Specialist electronically at dmbe@dmbe.virginia.gov or call 804.786.1718.