Government contracts (UT-CIS ptac)

Business Designations

State Goverment Designations

Disadvantaged Business Enterprise

The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) is federally mandated by the Department of Transportation to ensure nondiscrimination in the award and administration of Federal contracts. The program creates a level playing field for small companies that are African American, Hispanic, Native Americans, Asian-Pacific Islanders, Subcontinent Asians, or Women owned. Also known as DBE/WBE certification and the WBE stands for Women Business Enterprise.

The Governor's Office of Diversity Business Enterprise

The Governor's Office of Diversity Business Enterprise is the central point of contact to attract, direct, and support minority, women and small businesses. The goal of this office is to increase procurement opportunities for small, minority, and women owned businesses. The Office focuses on ensuring that minority, women, and small businesses are afforded a fair and equal opportunity to participate in State procurement activities and contract awards. Minority, women and small businesses interested in doing business with the state are required to register with the Office. Businesses will be interviewed and assessed for a determination of procurement interests and qualifications such as licensing, bonding and certification. Businesses that need technical, management and financial assistance will be referred to consultants or counselors who will work with them to strengthen their expertise in navigating the procurement process. The departments of Finance & Administration, Economic and Community Development, General Services, Transportation, and the State Building Commission have partnered with the Office to coordinate and implement initiatives to achieve the goals of the Governor’s Office of Diversity Business Enterprise.

Questions - contact:

Richard VanNorman (615)253-4657 - Toll Free 1-866-894-5026

Richard.VanNorman@state.tn.us

Federal Government Designations

Small Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (SDB)

The Small Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (SDB) program is administered by the Small Business Administration. It was created to help small disadvantaged businesses compete in the American economy by providing advantages and benefits in the federal procurement process.

8(a)

The SBA 8(a) program is where a company enters into a 9 year partnership with the SBA to develop and grow their business. Also any business accepted into the program automatically qualifies for SDB certification after the 9 years is up.
8a Business Development

Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone)

The HUBZone program provides contracting assistance to companies located in historically underutilized businesses zones as prescribed by the SBA. The primary purpose of the program is to encourage economic development and increase employment in these distressed urban and rural areas. Certified businesses qualify for: 1. Competitive HUBZone contracts 2. Sole source HUBZone contracts 3. Full and Open Competitive Contracts (price evaluation preference).

Veteran-Owned Businesses

Below are some helpful Links to organizations that offer free assistance:

The Center for Veterans (CVE)

The Center for Veterans (CVE) provides a database that compiles all veteran-owned small businesses and service-connected disabled veteran-owned busses. The center also provides Vendor Information Pages that promote registered veteran-owned businesses to prime contractors and to the federal government. The CVE website provides links to the federal procurement pages, assistance program pages and more.

The Veterans Corporation (TVC)

The Veterans Corporation (TVC) provides veteran-owned small businesses and service-connected veteran-owned businesses with resources for education opportunities, capital, surety bonding, insurance and prescription coverage, advertising, business formation and other business services. They also provide a veterans business directory and a veteran business incubator.