Supplier Diversity Definitions
Minority-Owned Business Enterprise (MBE)
Minority Business Enterprise" means an individual, partnership, corporation or joint
venture of any kind that is owned and controlled by U. S. Citizens and residents of
Ohio, who are and have held themselves out as members of the following socially and
economically disadvantaged groups: Blacks, American Indians, Hispanics and Asians.
Encouraging Diversity, Growth, and Equity (EDGE)
An Encouraging Diversity, Growth and Equity (EDGE) participant must be a small socially
and economically disadvantaged business enterprise owned and controlled by U.S. citizens
who are Ohio residents. EDGE establishes goals for state agencies, boards and commissions
in awarding contracts to certified EDGE eligible businesses. EDGE applies to procurements
of supplies and services, professional services, information technology services,
construction and professional design services.
Woman-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE)
Women Owned Business Enterprise is an entity that is 51 percent owned, operated, and
controlled by a woman or group of women.
Disadvantage Owned Business Enterprise (DBE)
The DBE program is a federal program operating under the guidance of the United States
Department of Transportation. To qualify for certification as a DBE, an applicant
must meet the following eligibility standards established in the federal regulations
at 49 CFR Part 26 and 13 CFR Part 121. https://www.ohioucp.org/index.vm
- Small Business Concern
- Social and Economic Disadvantage Status
- Ownership
- Control
Veteran/Disable Owned Business Enterprise(VDBE)
An independent business that performs a commercially useful function and is at least
51 percent owned and controlled by one or more veterans/disabled veterans who have
served in the active military and have been discharged under conditions other than
dishonorable.