Certification changes for SWAM businesses

The new guidelines for state spending make it imperative that all qualified businesses that employ less than 250 employees or have averaged less than $10 million in revenue over the last three years get certified by the Virginia Department of Minority Business Enterprise (VDMBE) as a small business.

Small businesses currently certified by VDMBE as minority- or woman-owned can now request dual certification to include a small designation. This designation makes businesses eligible to participate in the new state spending guidelines. Failure to properly certify could result in ineligibility to participate in the set-aside program.

For more information on becoming SWAM certified, contact the Virginia Department of Minority Business Enterprise (DMBE) at (800) 223-0761 or (804) 786-6585. The department's Web site is also available.