The Office of Supplier Development (OSD) certifies woman-, veteran-, and minority-owned businesses who meet the minimum eligibility requirements. OSD cannot certify non-profit corporations.

If you have determined you meet the eligibility requirements, review these Frequently Asked Questions and the Important Certification Definitions.

Use this Certification Checklist in English or Spanish to ensure you have all required documents. OSD can request additional information if needed. Redact your social security number, driver's license number, passport number, military identification number, bank account numbers, and any additional personal identifying information. Do not send social security cards and personal bank statements.

Required Documents for Certification
Please provide a copy of ALL documents that apply to your business and the certification(s) you seek.
VETERAN CERTIFICATION If you are ONLY seeking veteran certification, submit documents listed in the “Veteran Certification” category. If you are seeking woman and/or minority certification in addition to veteran certification, submit documents listed in the “Veteran Certification” category AND the required documents for categories A through G. WOMAN AND MINORITY CERTIFICATION If you are seeking woman and/or minority certification, submit the required documents for categories A through G.
All supporting documents, records and forms must be submitted together to the Office of Supplier Development. The office will not proceed with the review process until all required supporting documents are submitted.
While these documents are listed as appropriate submission, based on the review of eligibility, additional information may be requested. All owners/managers in the company must submit information as noted.

Need Help Determining What Documents You Need to Submit?

WHAT CERTIFICATION OR CERTIFICATIONS ARE YOU SEEKING?
		VETERAN ONLY	VETERAN and WOMAN	VETERAN and MINORITY	VETERAN, WOMAN, and MINORITY	WOMAN ONLY	MINORITY ONLY	WOMAN and MINORITY
Required Documents	Veteran Certification Documents	X	X	X	X
Required Documents	Documents Listed in Categories A through G		X	X	X	X	X	X

Required Documentation List

Veteran Certification

Veteran Certification: To establish status as a veteran, you must provide ALL of these documents:

Veteran Business Enterprise Application (print or complete digitally)
DD214; and
Service Disabled Letter (for disabled veteran(s) only)

If you are ONLY seeking veteran certification, the documents listed in the “Veteran Certification” category above are the ONLY documents required. If you are seeking woman and/or minority certification in addition to veteran certification, you must submit the required documents for categories A through G as outlined below.

(A) Woman and/or Minority

(A) Woman and/or Minority: To establish status as a woman and/or minority, ONE of the following documents shall be considered:

SBA(8)(a) Federal Certification;
Birth Certificate with Ethnic Designation;
Tribal Registration Card (Native American);
U.S. Passport;
Naturalization Records;
Foreign Birth Certificate;
Permanent Resident Alien card; or
Designation Statement [ Adobe PDF Document ] - includes "American Woman (Non-ethnic Female)"

(B) Permanent Resident of Florida

Permanent Resident of Florida: All submissions must include proof of Florida residency for ALL owners. Please submit:

Declaration of Domicile (can be found at the clerk of circuit court's office in the county courthouse website)
And ONE of the following:
- Florida Driver's License;
- Voter Registration; or
- Documentation of Homestead Exemption

(C) Ownership Interest

(C) Ownership Interest: Business is at least 51-percent-owned by persons classified under (A). Submit ONE of the following to establish 51 percent ownership interest:

Articles of Incorporation or Articles of Organization (if LLC);
Partnership or Operating Agreement; Stocks/Shares or
Federal SBA (8)(a) Certification

(D) Management Component

(D) Management Component: The management and daily operations are controlled by the person classified under (A). A Certified Business Enterprise may primarily involve the practice of a profession. Submit ONE of the following to establish 51 percent management interest:

Partnership or Operating Agreement
Resume(s) for each owner (A resume with previous experience including current duties as owner of the applicant business)

(E) Small Business Domiciled in Florida

(E) Small Business Domiciled in Florida: The Certified Business Enterprise must be located within the State of Florida. Submit ALL of the following documents:

Registration from Department of State (A screenshot of the business’s Sunbiz Detail page)
Business with Fewer Than 200 Employees;
- Payroll within the last 12 months identifying each owner and each full-time employee - W2s, Payroll Summary/Report
- If the business does not have payroll: Submit a signed and dated letter on company letterhead explaining the reasons why the business does not have/need a payroll
Net Worth of No More Than $5 million
- Business Financial Statements (Profit & Loss and Balance Sheets – NOT Bank Statements); or
- Last Two Years of Federal Filed Tax Returns (For the Business or Schedule C if Individual)
- If the business is under 2 years: Submit the Financial Verification Form (print or complete digitally)

(F) Useful Business Function

(F) Useful Business Function: The prospective certified business enterprises must be currently performing or seeking to perform a useful business function. A "useful business function" is defined as a business function which results in the provision of materials, supplies, equipment, or services to customers. Acting as a conduit to transfer funds to a non-minority business does not constitute a useful business function unless it is done so in a normal industry practice. As used in this section, the term "acting as a conduit" means, in part, not acting as a regular dealer by making sales of material, goods, or supplies from items bought, kept in stock, and regularly sold to the public in the usual course of business. Brokers, manufacturer’s representatives, sales representatives, and non-stocking distributors are considered as conduits that do not perform a useful business function, unless normal industry practice dictates. To establish status as a useful business function, submit ONE of the following:

A Notarized Statement of Useful Business Purpose by authorized corporate representative.
A Copy of a Recent Quote Submitted by the Company; or
A Recent Signed Contract or Invoice

(G) Licensing

(G) Licensing: A small business must have and maintain all applicable state or otherwise required licensing before becoming a certified business enterprise. To show proof of required licensing, submit ONE of the following:

Professional Licensing (licensed and regulated by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation or other licensing agency);
Business Occupational License/Local Business Tax Receipt Sample Tax Receipt [ Adobe PDF Document ]; or
Attestation of No License Required (A signed and dated statement on company letterhead that attests that the business owner does not need a professional or business license to operate)

Submit All Required Certification Documents

All supporting documents, records, and forms must be submitted together to the Office of Supplier Development. The office will not proceed with the review process until all required supporting documents are submitted.

While these documents are listed as appropriate submission, based on the review of eligibility, additional information may be requested. All owners/managers in the company must submit information as noted.

All documents must be submitted via the MFMP Vendor Information Portal or Postal Mail.

MFMP Vendor Information Portal
- Click the User Icon at the Top Right corner
- Select My Profile
- In the tabs at the top, select Company Information
- Scroll down to the CBE Certification Details section
- Verify the correct Designations are selected, then click the Certify button
- Answer the questions and upload all required documents to the correct sections
- Wait 30 business days for OSD staff to review.
Mailing Address (PLEASE NOTE: If mailing in documents, you will still need to submit an application through the MFMP VIP):

Office of Supplier Development
Florida Department of Management Services
4050 Esplanade Way, Suite 380
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0950

For answers to your certification questions, please contact the Office of Supplier Development at OSDhelp@dms.fl.gov. For technical assistance with the MFMP Vendor Portal, please contact 866-352-3776.

Please Note:

Our office cannot certify non-profit corporations.
Only send the documents listed. Please do not send social security cards, personal bank statements, etc.

*Designation Statement (includes Non-Ethnic Female):
Due to the increasing difficulty to obtain public records documents which lists ethnicity, the Office of Supplier Development has developed a Designation Statement. If you find that your birth certificate and/or your voter registration card do not list an ethnic designation, please use this affidavit. You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship along with this affidavit.