Certification Agencies Information
An important part of acquiring government business is having the right certification for your business. Below you will find all of the certifications for minority and woman owned businesses with links directly to their website for more information. Click on the agency name to go to their website!
Local (Dallas/Fort Worth) Certifications
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Dallas/Fort Worth Minority Supplier Development Council - Recognized by DFW Airport, DART, Corporations and NTTA
"The mission of the Dallas/Fort Worth Minority Supplier Development Council (D/FW MSDC) is to encourage and facilitate procurement and business opportunities between Buying Entities and Certified Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs)." - FEE: Annual Fee approximately $250 per company* -
Women's Business Council Southwest - Recognized by DFW Airport, DART, Corporations and NTTA
The mission of the Women's Business Council - Southwest is to facilitate mutually beneficial procurement opportunities among women business enterprises (WBE) and Sustaining Members. Sustaining Members include corporations, businesses, government entities, institutions and other organizations. FEE: Annual Fee depends on number employees, start at $250 per company. -
State Level Certifications
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Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) - Recognized by most agencies, especially Universities and Community Colleges
The statewide HUB Program facilitates the use of HUBs in state procurement and provides information on the state's procurement process to minority and woman- owned businesses. -
North Central Texas Regional Certification Agency (NCTRCA) - Recognized by DART, city, state and local government
It is the policy of all the public entities which are part of the North Central Texas Regional Certification Agency (NCTRCA) that Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs), Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) and Woman-owned Business Enterprises (WBEs) have the maximum practical opportunity to participate in their contracting and purchasing activities. -
National Government Level Certifications
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8(a) Certification
The 8(a) Program -- named for Section 8(a) of the Small Business Act – is a business development program created to help small disadvantaged businesses compete in the market place. It is also designed to assist such companies in gaining access to federal and private procurement markets.
The focus of the program is to provide business development support, such as mentoring, procurement assistance, business counseling, training, financial assistance, surety bonding and other management and technical assistance. The goal, however, is to prepare small disadvantaged firms for procurement and other business opportunities. -
HubZone Certification
The mission to promote job growth, capital investment, and economic development to historically underutilized business zones, referred to as HUBZones, by providing contracting assistance to small businesses located in these economically distressed communities.