SWaM Initial Certification

Certification Application Steps:

1. Complete the Online Application for SWaM Certification. (You can review a sample of the application prior to applying online. Please note: The sample application will not be accepted by DMBE).
2. Print, sign and date the completed application form. (Printing for Mozilla Firefox Users, click here)
3. Mail the application and your proof of identification to DMBE for processing.
4. If you have not attached the required supporting documents with your signed application, submit them to DMBE within 15 days. Failure to submit the information will result in the expiration of your certification. The Required Supporting Documents list is provided below.

Initial Certification Application

Required Supporting Document to be Submitted for SWaM Certification (PDF) | (Word)

SWaM Re-Certification Process

Re-certification Application Steps:

1: Complete the on-line application for SWaM certification. Click here. A “YES” answer to the first question on the application will take you to the re-certification application.
2: Sign and date the printed form.
3: Attach the business owner's proof of identification.
4: Mail the form, your proof of identification and supporting documents (for vendors certified prior to July 9, 2007) to DMBE for processing.

Proof of identification includes a:

• Copy of government-issued picture identification card (e.g., Driver’s License, Military Identification card), or
• Certificate of Naturalization (for legal residents)
• Passport
• Birth Certificate
• Tribal registration certificate, tribal registry letter and tribal roll register number

Important Notice: Please be advised that all SWaM vendors certified prior to July 9, 2007 are required to submit proof of your Small Business, Women-owned, or Minority-owned eligibility in accordance with the requirements of the Virginia Administrative Code, 7 VAC 10-20-10 et seq.

If you have had a substantive change in your organization (e.g., organization structure, ownership or control of the business), please submit the required supporting documents.

Recertification Application

Definition of Key Words (Code of Virginia Section 2.2-1401)

The SWaM certification program is administered by the Virginia Department of Minority Business Enterprise (“DMBE”) and is the Commonwealth of Virginia’s effort to help small, women- and minority-owned businesses with doing business with state government entities. 
Applicants to the SWaM certification program must complete the on-line application for certification and provide the required documents with the application to be considered for certification as a Small, Women- or Minority-owned Business.

Click here for "Definition" .

Service Disabled Veteran Designation Now Available for SWaM Business Owners

Service Disabled Veterans are able to obtain certification as a SWaM upon receipt of the “Service Disabled” certification by the Department of Veterans Services and by meeting the eligibility requirements of the SWaM Program. For more information, click the "Press Release".

 

Please Note: under Section 2.2-3705.6(20) of the Code of Virginia, trade secrets as defined in the Uniform Trade Secrets Act (Section 59.1-336 et seq., Code of Virginia) or financial records of a business, including balance sheets and financial statements, as part of an application for certification as a small, women- or minority-owned business are exempt from disclosure under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Section 2.2-3700 et seq.) The business is required to (a) invoke such exclusion upon submission of the data or other materials for which protection from disclosure is sought, (b) identify the data or other materials for which protection is sought, and (c) state the reasons why protection is necessary.

 

NIGP Commodity Codes
Needed for Small, Women and Minority Application.

** Please Note you will need Adobe’s Acrobat Reader (.pdf) or Microsoft Word Reader (.doc) in order to view some of the documents on this page.