Small Vendor Classification Definitions
Small Business: An enterprise that is independently owned and operated, is not dominant in its field of operation, and has qualified as a small business under the criteria and size standards established by the U.S. government (13 CFR 121). The number of employees and revenue can vary according to its products or services

8(a) Certified: A business concern certified by the U.S. Small Business Administration as an 8(a) business.

Small Disadvantaged Business: A business concern certified by the U.S. Small Business Administration as a "small disadvantaged" business.

Minority-Owned Businesses are at least 51% owned and operated by a U.S. citizen or citizens, and whose ancestry is:

  • Asian-Pacific American – United States citizen whose origins are in Japan, China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Korea, Samoa, Guam, the U.S. Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (Republic of Palau), the Northern Mariana Islands, Laos, Kampuchea (Cambodia), Taiwan, Burma, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei, Republic of the Marshall Islands, or the Federated States of Micronesia
  • Black American – United States citizen having origins in any of the Black African racial groups
  • Hispanic American – United States citizen of Spanish culture whose origins are from Mexico, South America, Central America or the Caribbean Island, regardless of race.
  • Native American – American Indian, Eskimo, Aleut, and Native Hawaiian.
  • Subcontinent Asian American – United States citizen whose origins are in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan or Nepal.
  • Indian Tribe – Any Indian tribe, bank, nation, or other organized group or community of Indians, including any Alaska Corporation as defined in 13 CFR 124 which is recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided by the U.S. to Indians because of their status as Indians, or which is recognized as such by the State in which such tribe, band, nation, group, or community resides
  • Native Hawaiian Organization – Any community service organization serving Native Hawaiians in, and chartered as a not-for-profit organization by, the State of  Hawaii, which is controlled by Native Hawaiians, and whose business activities will principally benefit such Native Hawaiians

Woman-Owned Business: A business concern at least 51% owned by one or more women, and the management and daily business operations of which are controlled by one or more women.

Veteran-Owned Business: A business concern at least 51% owned by one or more qualified veterans, and the management and daily business operations of which are controlled by one or more qualified veterans.

Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Business: A business concern at least 51% owned by one or more qualified disabled veterans whose disability is service related, and the management and daily business operations of which are controlled by one or more qualified service disabled veterans.

HUBZone Small Business: A small business with its principal office located in a HUBZone, with at least 35% of its employees residing in a HUBZone, and certified by the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Ability One Program nonprofit agency or organization creates jobs and training opportunities for people who are blind or who have other severe disabilities.