Overview
The State of Alabama, by and through the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA), administers the Office of Minority Business Enterprise (OMBE) Program which is a Minority-owned and/or Women-owned Business Enterprise Certification Program to identify small minority-owned and/or women-owned businesses capable of providing goods and/or services to both government and private sectors. OMBE Certification provides these businesses with affirmation that they are a credible business entity. Alabama’s OMBE Certification is effective for two years.
The OMBE Program encourages minority-owned and/or women-owned businesses to register with the Alabama Department of Finance’s Purchasing Division to receive bid solicitations from the State of Alabama. Interested parties can visit that Department’s website for more information on becoming a State vendor. The OMBE Program does not require a business to become a State vendor as a condition for M/WBE certification.
The OMBE Program works with the Office of Small Business Advocacy (part of the Alabama Department of Commerce) to promote small business development. The Alabama Small Business Development Center Network, the United States Small Business Administration (SBA), and the Alabama APEX Accelerator and other agencies and programs provide information and technical assistance to business enterprises on topics that include financing, procurement, start-up, expansion, accounting, and other areas.
A minority-owned and/or women-owned business is a socially and/or economically disadvantaged commercial entity that has one or more minority and/or female owners with a controlling interest in the business enterprise. See the sections below for OMBE Program eligibility requirements and certification benefits.
List of OMBE certified businesses
Eligibility Requirements
In order for a minority-owned and/or woman-owned business to be eligible for OMBE Program certification, an applicant business must meet certain requirements that include, but are not limited to, the following:
- A small business as defined in the OMBE Policies and Procedures
- A for-profit small business
- Is at least 51% owned, controlled by, and operated on a daily basis by, at least one individual who is economically and socially disadvantaged as defined within the OMBE Policies and Procedures
- Must have been in business under the ownership of the individual described above for at least the previous two years
- Must have a legal presence in Alabama and licensed to operate in Alabama
- Majority owner(s) must be a legal resident of the United States by birth or naturalization
Benefits of Certification
As an OMBE Program certified minority-owned and/or woman-owned business enterprise, a company will:
- Receive notification of state business opportunities
- Receive access to training opportunities
- Receive notice of upcoming events such as networking opportunities
- Appear in a listing of certified businesses for possible contracting / sub-contracting opportunities
Forms
OMBE Application for Certification Form
OMBE Affidavit for Recertification Form
Code Lists
Information
Atlas Alabama – Small Business is a Big Deal
Small Business Financing
Small Business Administration – Alabama District Office
Contact
Scott Stewart, Program Supervisor – (334) 353-3966 | Scott.Stewart@adeca.alabama.gov
Joy Smith, Program Manager – (334) 353-2062 | Joy.smith@adeca.alabama.gov
