Frequently Asked Questions
Initial Application
- What is an MBE or WBE?
- May I qualify as both; an MBE and WBE?
- What are the advantages of obtaining the State of Missouri MBE/WBE certification?
- What if a question in the certification application does not apply to me?
- Is my business automatically certified with the State of Missouri if I am certified with another state?
- Is my business automatically certified if I am certified as an MBE/WBE with another Missouri certifying entity?
- What help is available with the application process?
- How do I obtain a tax clearance letter?
- Is there an application fee?
- How long does the certification process take?
- What does an on-site visit entail?
Re-Certification
- How do I get an annual update affidavit?
- How do I re-certify my MBE/WBE?
- What help is available with the re-certification process?
- How do I obtain a tax clearance letter?
Denial and Appeal Process
- What happens if my application is denied?
- How do I appeal a denial?
- If I was certified, do I remain certified during the appeal process?
Doing Business with the State of Missouri
- May I bid on state projects prior to my certification?
- Do the participation targets remain constant in all contracts?
- What types of contracting opportunities are available with the State of Missouri?
- How does the State of Missouri keep track of the participation of an MBE/WBE in a contract?
- How can suspected abuse of the MBE/WBE program be reported?
- How will MBE/WBE contract compliance be monitored?
Initial Application
A Minority Business Enterprises is a business that is at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more minority persons. A Woman Business Enterprises is a business that is at least 51% owned and controlled by a woman. A racial minority is, for the purposes of the State of Missouri’s MBE program, defined as individuals who are Black, American Indian, Hispanic, Asian American and other similar racial minority groups as per Missouri Revised Statutes Chapter 33 Section 33.750. Also included are Alaskan Natives, Pacific Islanders, and Aleuts. A complete list is provided on page 2 of our Policies and Procedures Manual located on the links of interest page.
Only women who also fall into one of the racial or ethnic categories can qualify for classification as both a minority and women-owned business enterprise M/WBE. A woman and a minority cannot share ownership of a company to qualify for both as one individual must hold 51% ownership. The following requisites must also be met:
- Own 51% of the enterprise
- Control the business
- Have requisite expertise
- Be a U.S. citizen or lawfully admitted permanent resident.
Certification as an MBE and/or WBE provides greater opportunities for these businesses to bid on state contracts. All certified MBE/WBE vendors appear on the Office of Supplier and Workforce Diversity Directory of Certified MBE/WBE Vendors. Both contractors and state agencies use this site as a resource in soliciting certified minority and/or female participation for ongoing projects. This certification covers all state agencies except for Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT), which participates in the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program.
Please write not applicable (N/A) and include an explanation.
- Is my business automatically certified with the State of Missouri if I am certified with another state?
No. You must go through the State of Missouri’s certification process to become certified. It is important to note, however, approval is not guaranteed and each case is reviewed on its individual merits. The requirements for certification vary from state to state, so the easiest way to discover if your certification qualifies is to contact your individual state’s MBE/WBE/DBE Program.
- Is my business automatically certified if I am certified as an MBE/WBE with another Missouri certifying entity?
No. Missouri-based businesses may gain accreditation by providing a current certificate from one of the following approved certifying entities listed. You must apply to Office of Supplier and Workforce Diversity for MBE/WBE Certification through the Rapid Response Process. This process requires minimal additional documentation and can be completed in a shorter time frame than the Standard In-State Certification. Some of those approved certifying entities include:
*The Missouri Regional Certification Committee (which includes MoDOT, Metrolink, Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA), Lambert International Airport/City of Saint Louis, City of Kansas City Missouri KCHRD, Mid-America Regional Council, East-West Gateway Council of Governments)
*The National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) www.nawbo.org
*The Saint Louis Minority Business Council (SLMBC) www.mambdc.org and the Mid-America Business Development Council www.slmbc.org
OSWD does not guarantee certification approval and reserves the right to make a determination based on the review of each individual submission.
If you need help with the application process please call our office at 1-877-259-2963 or 573-751-8130, our friendly staff will be happy to assist you.
Complete Form 943 a Request for Tax Clearance and submit it to the Department of Revenue's Tax Clearance Unit. Once the form is completed and signed by a corporate officer it can be mailed or faxed to the tax clearance unit. If a request is faxed, it is not necessary to send the original.
Physical Address: |
Mailing Address: |
MO Department of Revenue |
MO Department of Revenue |
No! This service is provided free of charge as a benefit from the state of Missouri.
Standard process for Missouri based businesses takes approximately 45-60 days from the day that the application becomes complete (All requested documentation must be included to proceed to the next stage). An on-site visit must be conducted and a final review is necessary to evaluate whether your firm qualifies in meeting program guidelines. Out of State and Rapid applications might take less processing time.
An on-site visit is a verbal and visual verification of the MBE/WBE owner’s ability to fulfill certification requirements. There is no need for preparation; the interviewer will bring the MBE/WBE’s file to the visit. Any additional documentation that may be needed can be provided on-site or gathered for later submission. This visit also allows the applicant an opportunity to get acquainted with program staff, ask questions specific to their individual circumstances or needs and voice concerns.
Re-Certification
Upon your anniversary, OSWD will e-mail you the annual update affidavit to the e-mail address on file. If you have not received this form or have changed your e-mail address, please e-mail Janet Carter at janet.carter@oa.mo.gov to update your e-mail address and/or have a new form sent to you. If we do not have an e-mail address on file, OSWD will fax it, if a fax number is available or as last recourse OSWD will mail it to the address on file.
The month before your expiration date, OSWD will e-mail you the re-certification package. If you have not received the package or have changed your e-mail address, please e-mail Janet Carter at janet.carter@oa.mo.gov to update your e-mail address and/or have a new form sent to you. If we do not have an e-mail address on file, OSWD will fax it, if a fax number is available or as last recourse OSWD will mail it to the address on file.
If you need help with the re-certification process, please call our office at 1-877-259-2963 or 573-751-8130, our friendly staff will be happy to assist you.
Complete Form 943
a Request for Tax Clearance and submit it to the Department of Revenue's Tax Clearance Unit. Once the form is completed and signed by a corporate officer it can be mailed or faxed to the tax clearance unit. If a request is faxed, it is not necessary to send the original.
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Physical Address: |
Mailing Address: |
Missouri Department of Revenue |
Missouri Department of Revenue |
Denial and Appeal Process
If you are denied certification, you have two options: you may wait six months and reapply or appeal the determination to the Commissioner of the Office of Administration (OA). You have twenty-one (21) calendar days from receipt of your denial letter to appeal. The Commissioner’s decision is final. If your denial is upheld on appeal, you may reapply in six months (180 days) from the date of the official notification of the denial being upheld.
An appeal must be presented in writing to the Commissioner’s Office within twenty-one calendar (21) days from receipt of your denial letter. Please mail your appeal to:
Commissioner’s Office
Capitol Building, Room 125
201 West Capitol Avenue
Jefferson City, Missouri 65102
No. As soon as a denial is issued the MBE/WBE status is removed. In order for that status to be re-instated the denial must be overturned by the commissioner’s office.
Doing Business with the State of Missouri
Yes. Your MBE/WBE status does not preclude you from bidding on state contracts or bidding with prime contractors for subcontracts. Certification is not necessary for doing business with the State of Missouri, however MBE/WBE certification, carries with it significant advantages, especially for smaller, less-established firms.
No. Executive Order 05-30 establishes that "all state agencies shall continue to make every feasible effort to target the percentage of goods and services procured from certified MBEs and WBEs to 10% and 5%, respectively." The Division of Purchasing and Materials Management (DPMM) and Facilities Management, Design and Construction (FMDC) have the authority to set target recommendations for each project based on the availability of MBE and WBE firms to perform the work.
There are various types of opportunities for contracting with the State of Missouri, and these opportunities change constantly. For the most recent listing of available opportunities please visit,
http://www.oa.mo.gov/purch/vendorinfo/upbidops.html for subcontracting opportunities or https://www.moolb.mo.gov/BidList/bidbytype.asp?bidnum=0&rtype=agcyo for a listing of bids available by agency.
As a requirement of the contracts the prime contractor must submit payment verification forms to the Department of Purchasing and Materials Management every month. These forms are utilized by DPMM to keep track of the MBE/WBE participation on each contract. These forms are available for public viewing at http://www.imageweb.oa.mo.gov/acordeweb/Client/Framework.asp.
Reports of fraud and abuse or if there are third parties who have reason to believe that an enterprise has been wrongfully granted certification, either as an MBE/WBE or joint venture, they may file a third party challenge with OSWD. Challenges by third parties are not considered an appeal. Any allegations of suspected abuse of Missouri’s MBE/WBE program or to obtain forms to report the suspected abuse, please call OSWD via our toll-free hotline at 1-877-259-2963
If there is a complaint about the performance of an MBE/WBE, the Office of Supplier and Workforce Diversity (OSWD) has authority to conduct on-site inspections and an administrative review of a certified firm at any time without prior notification. If for any reason a minority or women-owned subcontractor is not performing in accordance with the requirements of their contract, the prime contractor may request permission to remove or substitute that particular MBE and/or WBE with another certified business. The prime contractor must first however notify OSWD of their intent to remove an MBE and/or WBE subcontractor during the course of the contract. Supporting documentation must be furnished by the prime contractor stating the reasons why the participating business should be removed. OSWD may then schedule a meeting with all parties to discuss the potential removal of the MBE/WBE subcontractor/supplier. It will be the responsibility of OSWD to recommend disqualification after the review process.