Businesses which are at least 51% owned and operated by persons of minority heritages, including Hispanic or Latino, Black or African American, Asian American, American Indian or Alaska Native, Native Hawai’ians or other Pacific Islander and Arab or other Middle Eastern Americans. These diverse suppliers may be certified by The National Minority Supplier Development Council or a similar body.

Businesses which are at least 51% owned and operated by females who hold the highest office in the company – i.e., CEO, owner, etc. – to qualify as a woman owned business. These diverse suppliers may be certified by Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB), Economically Disadvantaged Woman-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB) or a similar body.

Typically, this kind of diverse supplier has below $35.5 million in sales, less than 1,500 employees and is independently owned and operated (i.e., not held by a parent company). It must be a for-profit venture, not be nationally dominant in its field and be physically operated and located in the United States or its territories.

Businesses which are at least 51% owned and operated by veterans, service-disabled veterans, reservists, active-duty service members, transitioning service members or their dependents/survivors. These diverse suppliers may be certified by the Vets First Verification Program or a similar body.

Businesses which are at least 51% owned and operated by members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer plus community. These diverse suppliers may be certified by the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) or a similar body.

A disability-owned business enterprise (DOBE) is a business that is at least 51% owned, managed and controlled by a person with a disability. These diverse suppliers may be certified by COUPA or a similar body.