Virginia - SWaM (SMALL, WOMEN-OWNED, and Minority-owned Business)
Obtain your Virginia SWAM as a stand-alone certification or as part of an 8(a) Application Package
Program Summary
The program was established in 2006, to enhance business opportunities for SWaM (small, women- and minority-owned) businesses. SWaM includes a Small Business Set-Aside Program. It also requires state agencies and departments to enhance SWaM participation in procurement activities. SWaM companies currently capture over 20% of total spend by the Commonwealth of Virginia (Over $1B annual prime/subcontractor combined). The certification is valid for 3 years (only 1 year for newly established business that has not yet submitted tax returns).
Basic Eligibility Criteria
- At least 51% owned and controlled by a member or members of the following ethnicity groups (Asian American, African American, Hispanic American, Eskimo and/or Aleut, or Native American).
- At least 51% owned and controlled by a woman or by women.
- Company defined as a small business, which for Virginia means an independently owned and operated business which has 250 or fewer employees, or average annual gross receipts of $10 million (averaged over the past 3 years).
- Must be a for-profit business entity.
*Additional minor eligibility criteria.
Typical Certification Applications
A high degree of commonality exists between the administrators for these programs. A summary of the key documents and processes was provided in the Overview Section for our State Unique programs.
SWAM Application Service
Fee: $1,800.00
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