Certification Division

Austin Small and Minority Business Resources Certification Division certifies qualified firms as Minority-Owned Business Enterprises (MBE), Women-Owned Business Enterprises (WBE), Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE), Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE), and Small Business Enterprises (SBE).

The Certification Division verifies that each minority- or women-owned applicant owns, manages, and controls the day-to-day operations of its for-profit business is in line with the MBE/WBE Procurement Program Ordinance, Chapter 2-9 (A) and (B) of the City Code. The division also reviews four year continued eligibility applications for the MWBE program and annual applications for DBE/ACDBE program.

Through its work, the Certification Division has ensured critical certification activities are performed by prescribed deadlines, including reviewing new, continued eligibility, and annual applications and has improved the average reviewing timeline to 7-days. The division also identifies commodity codes where there is limited availability to increase the number of certified firms in those specific industries.

The Certification Division works collaboratively with Austin Economic Development, Austin Financial Services and Austin SMBR Compliance and Strategic Services Divisions hosting monthly workshops such as its monthly pre-certification workshop for business owners interested in pursuing certification, attending Small Business Office Hours and other certification-related outreach opportunities requested by stakeholders. This effort increases visibility of the MBE/WBE Procurement Program and ACDBE/DBE Program in the business community, partnering with internal and external stakeholders, such as local chambers, chambers within the MSA and agencies.

The Division is led by Michelle Meadows, Interim Division Manager, who has over 18 years of experience with the City of Austin, almost nine of those years have been with Austin SMBR in various roles. Under her leadership, the Division has focused on building the number of certified firms in the MWBE program and will be focusing on creating virtual workshops to be published online. Michelle works closely with ASMBR Compliance and Strategic Services Divisions to increase procurement opportunities for Austin's local business community.

Certification Eligibility

Qualifications for Certification

You may qualify for certification with the City of Austin if you can answer “yes” to the following questions:

Ownership:
Is your business at least 51 percent owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individual(s) from one of the presumed groups listed below?

The socially and economically disadvantaged owner(s) must also manage and control the day-to-day operations of the business.

1. Presumed groups:
2. Asian American
3. African American
4. Native American
5. Hispanic
6. Women
    

Size:
Does your business meet the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) size-standard guidelines?
 

Location:
Has your business been located in Texas for at least 90 days?
 

Personal net worth:
Is the qualifying owner’s personal net worth below $2,434,885?
 

Business type:
Is your business for-profit?

Types of Certification

Minority-Owned Business Enterprise (MBE)

A Minority-Owned Business Enterprise (MBE) is a small business, as defined by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), that is at least 51 percent owned, managed, and controlled by one or more economically disadvantaged individuals from the following ethnic-minority groups:

African American

Hispanic

Asian American

Native American

Women-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE)

A Women-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE) is a small business, as defined by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), that is at least 51 percent owned, managed, and controlled by one or more economically disadvantaged women.

Disadvantaged Business Enterprise

A Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) is a small business that is minority-owned, women-owned, or both and is socially or economically disadvantaged.

Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise

An Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) is a small business that is minority-owned, women-owned, or both and is socially or economically disadvantaged. This certification applies to firms that want to operate in airport concessions.

Steps to Certification

Step 1 | Become a Vendor

You must register your company as a vendor with the City of Austin before beginning the certification process.

• Go to Austin Finance Online to register your business.
• A copy of your W-9 form will be needed to complete your registration.
• Write down your Vendor Registration Number, you will need it for the Certification process.

If you have questions or need password assistance, contact Vendor Registration at (512) 974-2018 or email vendor@austintexas.gov.

Step 2 | Complete the WBE/WBE Application

Complete the application online in the certification and compliance system portal (CCS) at https://austintexas.mwdbe.com or click here to download a PDF version of the application. Applying through the CCS portal is the most efficient way to protect your information. Applying online also ensures you receive appropriate reminders, the status of certification(s), and communication from the SMBR Certification Division. After creating an account take the following steps:

• Click “Apply for Certification.”
• Create an account.
• Select your certification "type" to begin your application.
• Upload required business documentation.
• Monitor for communications from SMBR for next steps.

Additional information and resources

• Getting Started Certification Guide (for firms not certified) - click here to download a copy.
• MBE/WBE Personal Net Worth Form - click here to download a copy.
• MBE/WBE Alternate Personal Net Worth Form - click here to download a copy.

Step 3 | Maintain Your Certification

Owners of MBE/WBE-certified firms must apply for recertification every  four years after the firm’s initial certification by completing an online application on the CCS portal at https://austintexas.mwdbe.com.

Additional Certifications and Services

Small Business Construction Program (SBE) Certification

Interested firms must provide scopes in construction or a related field.  

The firm’s size must not exceed $16.5 million in average gross receipts for the past 5-years as established for 238-Specialty Trade Contractors by the Small Business Administration (SBA) and be certified as a Small Business Enterprise (SBE) by the City of Austin.

• Complete the SBE application online at: https://austintexas.mwdbe.com.
• Owner(s) must provide a detailed resume  
• Provide 5-years of business tax returns, if applicable