Supplier Diversity Certification
Certification puts your business in the Department of Supplier Diversity’s Certified Business Directory, where City buyers look for firms to work with. You must be certified to use Supplier Diversity programs and benefits.
The Department of Supplier Diversity certifies four types of businesses: Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs), Women Business Enterprises (WBEs), Small Business Enterprises (SBEs), and Small Business Local Enterprises (SBLEs).
Once you’re certified:
- Your business is listed in the Certified Business Directory.
- You qualify for the Inclusive Quote Contract procurement option.
- You will be eligible for cross-certification with the Commonwealth’s Supplier Diversity Office.
- We include you when we do outreach for City projects..
- We can connect you to business-support resources inside and outside the City.
Before you apply, contact the Department of Supplier Diversity with any questions. Call 617-635-4511, email businesscertification@boston.gov, or join weekly certification office hours on Google Meet, Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Who Can Apply
You may qualify for one or more Supplier Diversity certifications. Certification is determined by who primarily owns and controls the business, or the size and location of the business. Review the categories below to find those which best describe your business.
- Minority Business Enterprise (MBE). One or more people from a minority group must own at least 51 percent of your business. Those owners must also run its day-to-day operations.
- Woman Business Enterprise (WBE). One or more women must own at least 51 percent of your business. Those owners must also run its day-to-day operations.
- Small Business Enterprise (SBE). The Small Business Administration (SBA) sets a size limit for each industry. The City counts your business as small if your average gross receipts of sales, over the last three years, are 75 percent or less of that limit. You must also have fewer than 20 full-time workers.
- Small Local Business Enterprise (SLBE). An SLBE is a Small Business Enterprise (SBE) whose principal office is located within the City of Boston.
- Veteran/Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (VOSB/SDVOSB). A business that is granted one of the above certifications, and which is already verified by the Small Business Administration (SBA) as a VOSB/SDVOSB, can have this recognition included along with their certification in the directory.
The firm should not be solely established for the purpose of taking advantage of a special program which has been developed to help certified businesses.
Contact the Department of Supplier Diversity for further details.
Before You Apply
Make sure your business is legally registered before you apply. See Required Documents for what counts as proof, based on your business type.
If you’re a sole proprietor, get your Business Certificate from the Boston City Clerk’s Office first. It’s a separate application with its own $65 fee. You'll need it later as one of your documents.
Required Documents
Review the required documents for all applicants, then collect the required documents based on your specific business type. If you are unsure of which ones you need or have questions, call 617-635-4511, email businesscertification@boston.gov, or join weekly certification office hours on Google Meet, Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Federal tax returns from the last three years. If your business is younger than three years, submit returns for the time you've been open. No tax return yet? Submit a financial statement instead, with a balance sheet and income statement for the months you have been in business.
- Current resumes for your business's owners and key managers, showing their relevant work history.
- Documentation of your investment into the business: a canceled check, bank receipt, stock certificate, or loan agreement.
- A government-issued photo ID for each owner to show proof of citizenship or permanent residency, such as a driver's license AND a birth certificate, or a passport, or a permanent resident card (green card), or a certificate of naturalization. Don't send a social security card.
Articles of incorporation and any changes, plus bylaws and any changes
Your Business Certificate from the City Clerk's Office
Your partnership agreement, covering buy-out rights and how you split profits.
Articles of organization, plus your operating agreement if you have one.
Your Internal Revenue Service (IRS) 501(c)(3) tax-exempt letter, articles of incorporation and any changes, and a list of your board members, including each member's ethnicity and gender.
Fees
There's no fee to apply for Supplier Diversity Certification.
Sole proprietors pay a separate $65 fee for their Business Certificate through the City Clerk's Office.
How to Apply
Apply online through the Supplier Diversity certification portal.
- First, set up an account. This lets you save your work and finish later.
- Pick the certification, or certifications, that fit your business. See Who Can Apply for the full list.
- Confirm your business registration and gather your documents.
- Fill out and submit your online application.
After You Apply
After you apply, you’ll get an email from us. We’ll do a first review within 7 business days after you submitted. If we need more information, we’ll email you to ask for it. You must reply within 10 business days. We aim to finish the full review within 30 business days.
After Approval
Once you're certified, Supplier Diversity includes your business in City outreach related to upcoming contracts and projects. Supplier Diversity staff can also connect you to other resources inside and outside the City.
Your business will be added to the City's online Directory of Certified Businesses. If you want to bid on City contracts, set up a free account on the City's Supplier Portal.
Renewals
Supplier Diversity Certification is valid for 3 years. To renew, log in to your account in the Certification Portal and select Re-Certification Application.
You'll need to upload your business's tax returns from the last 3 years and let us know about any changes in ownership since your last certification. Once you've answered all the questions and we've reviewed your application, we'll email you a new certification letter if your renewal is approved.
