Printer-Friendly Who's Eligible to Participate

Minority Owned Business: A "minority-owned business" is a business in which 51 percent of the company is owned, controlled and operated by one or more individuals from a minority group. In the case of a publicly held concern, an individual or individuals from a minority group must own 51 percent of all company stock.

Woman Owned Business: A "woman-owned business" is a business in which 51 percent of the company is owned, controlled and operated by one or more non-minority women. In the case of a publicly held concern, a non-minority woman individual or group of non-minority women must own 51 percent of all company stock.

Small Business Concern: A "small business" is a business defined pursuant to Section 3 of the Small Business Act (SBA) and relevant regulations issued pursuant thereto. Generally, this means a small business concern organized for profit, which is independently owned and operated, is not dominant in the field of operation in which it is bidding, and meets the size standards as prescribed in government regulation. Consult your regional or district SBA office if further clarification is needed.

Minority Group Members include:

African-American: Citizens of the United States having origins in any of the Black African racial group.
Asian-Pacific American: Citizens of the United States whose origins are from Japan, China, Philippines, Vietnam, Korea, Samoa, Guam, U.S. Trust Territories in the Pacific, Northern Marianas, Laos, Cambodia or Taiwan.
Asian-Indian American: Citizens of the United States whose origins are from India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.
Hispanic American: Citizens of the United States of Spanish culture whose origins are Mexico, South or Central America or the Caribbean Islands.
Native American: American Indians, Eskimos, Aleuts, and Native Hawaiians.