Supplier Diversity Definitions

The following definitions describe how HUB suppliers are defined for consideration in our supplier diversity program:

Disadvantaged Small Businesses

8(a) Business Development Program - An SBA program for small firms owned by socially and economically disadvantaged persons. Firms admitted to the program may receive federal contracts designated for 8(a) program participants, as well as management and technical assistance.

HUBZone – The HUBZone Empowerment Contracting Program, which is included in the Small Business Reauthorization Act of 1997, stimulates economic development and creates jobs in urban and rural communities by providing contacting preferences to small businesses that are located in a HUBZone and that hire employees who live in a HUBZone.  SBA is responsible for regulating and implementing the HUBZone Program.  It certifies firms for eligibility to receive HUBZone contracts and maintain a listing of qualified HUBZone small businesses, federal agencies can use to locate prospective vendors.

Small Disadvantaged Business Program (SDB) – While the 8(a) Business Development Program offers a broad scope of assistance to socially and economically disadvantaged firms, SDB certification strictly pertains to benefits in federal procurement.  8(a) firms automatically qualify for SDB certification.  SBA certifies SDBs to make them eligible for special bidding benefits. 

Small Business Enterprise (SBE)

Other small business enterprises that do not qualify under one of the above disadvantaged small business definitions may be considered for a diversity contract after meeting the definition of a small business according to their state statutes or certification through their local or state Small Business Administration (SBA) office.

Minority-owned Business Enterprise (MBE)

A minority-owned business is a for-profit enterprise, regardless of size, physically located in the United States or its trust territories, which is owned, operated and controlled by minority group individuals. Ownership by minority individuals means the business is at least 51 percent owned by such individuals or, in the case of a publicly-owned business, at least 51 percent of the stock is owned by one or more such individuals. In addition, the management and daily operations are controlled by those minority group members. "Minority group member" include Asian Indian, Asian Pacific, Black/African American, Hispanic and Native American.

• Asian-Indian: A U.S. citizen whose origins are from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh Asian-Pacific A U.S. citizen whose origins are from Japan, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan, Korea, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, the Philippines, Thailand, Samoa, Guam, the U.S. Trust Territories of the Pacific or the Northern Marianas.

• Black/African: U.S. citizen having origins in any of the Black racial groups of Africa.

• Hispanic: A U.S. citizen of true-born Hispanic heritage, from any of the Spanish-speaking areas of the following regions: Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean Basin only. Brazilians shall be listed under Hispanic designation for review certification purposes.

• Native American: A person who is an American Indian, Eskimo, Aleut or Native Hawaiian and regarded as such by the community of which the person claims to be part. Native Americans must be documented members of a North American tribe, band or otherwise organized group of native people who are indigenous to the continental United States and proof can be provided through a Native American Blood Degree Certificate (i.e., tribal registry letter, tribal roll register number).

Women-owned Business Enterprise (MBE)

A women-owned business is at least 51 percent unconditionally owned by one or more women or, in the case of a publicly owned business, at least 51% of the stock is owned by one or more women; and whose daily business operations are managed and directed by one or more of the women owners.

Veteran-owned Small Business Enterprise (VBE)

A small business is at least 51 percent unconditionally owned by one or more veterans (as defined by 38 U.S.C. 101(2)); or in the case of any publicly owned business, at least 51 percent of the stock of which is unconditionally owned by one or more veterans; and whose management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more of the veteran owners.

Service-Disabled Veteran-owned Small Business Enterprise (DVBE).

A small business is at least 51 percent unconditionally owned by one or more service-disabled veterans (as defined by 38 U.S.C. 101(2)), with a disability that is service connected, as defined in 38 U.S.C. 101(16); or in the case of any publicly owned business, at least 51 percent of the stock of which is unconditionally owned by one or more service-disabled veterans; and whose management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more service-disabled of the veteran owners or, in the case of a veteran with permanent and severe disability, the spouse or permanent caregiver of such veteran.

For more information

For more information about Broadlane's Supplier Diversity Program, please send an e-mail to supplierdiversity@broadlane.com or call 972-813-7528.