New Mexico Certifications
Obtaining the right business certifications for your enterprise is crucial to gaining access to both government and corporate contracts. Certifications provide your business with a nationally recognized and highly respected status that makes your company stand out against marketplace competition for lucrative contracts. This allows you to compete more successfully for federal, state, local government and commercial contracts.
New Mexico accepts/recognizes the following certifications:
- Women-Owned Business (WBE);
- Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB);
- Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB);
- Minority-Owned Business (MBE);
- Small Business Administration 8(a) Development Program;
- Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE);
- Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE);
- Veteran Owned Small Business (VOSB);
- Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB);
- HUBZone Business;
- Small Disadvantaged Business (SBE)
The State of New Mexico does not have a state specific M/WBE certification program, but encourages minority owned business, women owned businesses and disadvantaged businesses to pursue the DBE certification. Once a business has been certified with the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), the State of New Mexico, businesses have an opportunity to participate in training, assistance, and services through the DBE Supportive Services at the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT).
Additionally, the NMDOT On-the-Job Training (OJT) Program establishes apprenticeship and training programs targeted to move women, minorities, and disadvantaged individuals into journey-level positions to ensure that a competent workforce is available to meet highway construction hiring needs, and to address the historic underrepresentation of these groups in highway construction skilled crafts.
Getting a certification in the State of New Mexico opens the door to targeted government and private contracting opportunities. This will allow your business to have more visibility to New Mexico companies and opportunities with the State of New Mexico. For more resources, visit the Minority Business Development Center.
Most certifications have the following basic requirements:
- The business must be at least 51% managed and controlled by either a women, minority, or disadvantaged owner who:
- Works exclusively for the firm seeking certification
- Has superior level of experience in the industry
- Holds the highest title as specified in the operating agreement/bylaws
- US Citizen (or for some certifications – a Green Card holder (legal permanent resident)
- Must be a for-profit business
If you are an established business ready to take your business to the next level, BizCentral USA can help you get certified. Since 2004, BizCentral USA has helped thousands of businesses get certified and gain more connections. Working with an experienced expert means doing it right the first time, which means FASTER approval so you can start applying for contracts sooner.
Not an established business? No problem. We have a Pre-Certification Program that can help prepare you to become certified.