SMALL DIVERSE BUSINESSES
The Bureau of Diversity, Inclusion & Small Business Opportunities (BDISBO) verifies self-certified Small Businesses that wish to participate as Minority, Woman, Service-Disabled, LGBT, and Disability-Owned Business Enterprises through the Small Diverse Businesses program. Eligible Small Business must hold certifications as diverse businesses with one of the Department’s approved third-party certification entities as shown below.
Follow the step-by-step process to complete self-certification as a small business and apply for verification as a small diverse business. Have prepared your proof of valid certification from an accepted third-party
before beginning the process.
See the application guide for more detailed instructions.
ACCEPTED THIRD-PARTY CERTIFICATIONS FOR SMALL DIVERSE BUSINESS VERIFICATION
The Department of General Services accepts approved third-party certifications from any of the following entities:
Once BDISBO has received and verified all information, the applicant business will be included in the online database located at
www.dgs.internet.state.pa.us/suppliersearch as a Small Business and, if applicable, Small Diverse Business.
* These are disadvantaged business certifications which are accepted for Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) and Woman Business Enterprise (WBE) only. Additional proof of ethnicity and/or gender must be submitted at time of verification.
** Only the SBA 8(a) and VetCert certifications are accepted for Small Diverse Business verification. Woman Owned Small Business (WOSB) and Economically Disadvantaged Woman-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB) are not accepted third-party certifications at this time.
PROGRAM GUIDELINES
RESOURCES