DBE Certifications in Rhode Island

Explore DBE Certification programs available in Rhode Island

Rhode Island’s Minority Business Enterprise Compliance Office (MRECO) strives to create equal opportunities for businesses to participate in state projects. To do so, the MRECO offers certification programs for disadvantaged businesses which include small, minority, and woman-owned businesses: Minority Business Enterprises (MBE), Women Business Enterprises (WBE), and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE). Businesses are given the chance to strengthen and grow through statewide, regional, and local programs.

Statewide Certification Programs

Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) and Women Business Enterprise (WBE) Program

The Minority Business Enterprise and Women Business Enterprise were established to offer its support to minority and woman-owned businesses in their involvement with state programs and projects. To qualify as a minority, you must be Black, Hispanic, Portuguese, Asian American, American Indian, Native Alaskan, or another disadvantaged minority group. This program ultimately makes efforts to include and encourage the growth of certified firms.

To qualify, your business must be 51% or more owned and run by a socially disadvantaged individual, meaning someone who is either a woman or minority.

To get certified, you must complete the application and additional forms which can be found on http://odeo.ri.gov/offices/mbeco/mbe-wbe.php.

Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and Airport Concessionaire Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) Program

The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program acknowledges and avoids discrimination against disadvantaged businesses, giving DBEs an equal chance to participate in federally assisted contracts. This program is also committed to helping DBEs grow so that they can succeed in the future without the help of the DBE Program.

To qualify, the small business must be at least 51% owned and controlled by a disadvantaged individual who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. A disadvantaged individual includes someone who is a woman or Black American, Hispanic American, Native American, Asian-Pacific American, or Subcontinent Asian American.

To get DBE/ACDBE certified, submit an application and additional forms.

For more information on the program or your eligibility, visit: 

http://odeo.ri.gov/offices/mbeco/dbe-program.php.

Veteran Business Enterprise (VBE) Program

The State of Rhode Island offers a Veteran Business Enterprise (VBE) that certifies veteran-owned businesses. To qualify as a VBE, a small business must be at least 51% owned and controlled by a disadvantaged veteran.

To get certified, you must complete the application as well as the additional forms which can be found on http://odeo.ri.gov/offices/mbeco/mbe-wbe.php.

Local and Regional Programs

The City of Providence’s Minority and Woman-owned Business Enterprise (MBE/WBE) Program

The City of Providence’s Minority and Woman-owned Business Enterprise (MBE/WBE) Program provides opportunities for certified MBEs and WBEs to conduct business with departments within Providence. The program was established to advocate for fair treatment for businesses within the city. It encourages MBE and WBE certified firms to take part in city projects and promotes economic development for disadvantaged firms.

To qualify, your business must be 51% or more owned and run by a socially disadvantaged individual, meaning someone who is either a woman or minority.

For more information on this program, visit https://www.providenceri.gov/purchasing/minority-women-owned-business-mbewbe-procurement-program/.

Center for Women & Enterprise (CWE)

The Center for Women & Enterprise (CWE) is a nonprofit organization founded with the goal of helping female entrepreneurs and business owners establish and expand their business. To do so, the organization offers its assistance and access to numerous materials. As an affiliate of the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), CWE has expanded to North Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

CWE also runs the Veterans Business Outreach Center of New England (VBOC of NE) which was created with the goal of helping veterans, service members, and their family members establish and expand their business. Similar to CWE, VBOC of NE serves those in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont. To get started with VBOC, you must register and complete this form.

To learn more about the Center for Women & Enterprise, click here.

Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council MBE Program

Businesses owned by minorities in Rhode Island can receive a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) certification from the Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council (GNEMSDC). By certifying through this program, businesses can utilize exclusive resources and events, increase exposure to business opportunities, and access government and public contracts. To qualify, businesses must be: for profit, U.S. citizens and physically located in the U.S. or its trust territories, at least 51% minority-owned operated and controlled. To apply, click here.