Diverse Vendor Definitions Guide
We accept the following definitions for diverse vendors and require diverse business certification from a national, state or locally-recognized third party certification agency. Listed below are certifying agencies that we recognize. Certifications from all other agencies, or diverse businesses which do not have certification, will be considered on a case by case basis.
Disability-Owned Business Enterprise (DOBE)
People with disabilities own, operate and control at least 51% of the company. We accept certifications from the organization listed below. For businesses outside the United States, we may request additional documentation to verify DOBE status.
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Business Enterprise (LGBTBE)
LGBT individuals own, operate and control at least 51% of the company. We accept certifications from the organization listed below. For businesses outside the United States, we may request additional documentation to verify LGBTBE status.
Minority-Owned Business
Minority group members own, operate and control at least 51% of the company. Definitions for minority groups vary by location and include the following categories, where applicable: Asian, Black, Hispanic/Latino, and Indigenous peoples. We accept certifications from the following organizations:
- Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Program (B-BBEE)
- The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (access in the US only)
Veteran-Owned or Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business
Veterans or Service-disabled veterans own, operate and control at least 51% of the company. We accept certifications from the organizations listed below. For businesses outside the United States, we may request additional documentation to verify veteran or service-disabled veteran-owned business status.
Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE)
Women own, operate and control at least 51% of the company. We accept certifications from the following organizations:
Small Business (SB)
Definitions for Small Businesses vary by location. We accept certifications from the organizations listed below. Where certifications are not available, we follow local government guidelines and may request additional documentation to verify SB status.
Social Enterprise Business (SEB)*
A social enterprise business (SEB) is a for-profit or non-profit organization or venture that achieves its primary social or environmental mission using business methods. An SEB’s surpluses are principally reinvested in social activities, rather than being driven by the need to maximize profit for shareholders and owners. We may request documentation to verify the SEB status of your business.
Supported Business*
A supported business employs disabled people as over 50% of its workforce. We may request documentation to verify the supported business status of your business.
* Social Enterprise Business and Supported Business activity is tracked, but spend is not included in our reported numbers.