Qualifications/Definitions

A minority-owned business is a for-profit enterprise, regardless of size, physically located in the United States or its trust territories, which is owned, operated and controlled by minority group members. Ownership by minority individuals means the business is at least 51% owned by such individuals or, in the case of a publicly-owned business, at least 51% of the stock is owned by one or more such individuals. Further, the management and daily operations are controlled by those minority group members.

A U.S. citizen having origins in any of the Black racial groups of Africa, and regarded as such by the community in which the person claims to be a part.

A U.S. citizen of the trueborn Spanish heritage (trueborn meaning "authentically" or "genuinely" as per Webster from any of the following countries: Mexico, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Central or South America. The Hispanic may not have European Ancestors other than Spanish.

A person who is American Indian, Eskimo, Aleut or Native Hawaiian, and regarded as such by the community in which the person claims to be a part. Native Americans must be documented members of a North American Tribe, band or otherwise organized group of native people who are indigenous to the Continental United States or who otherwise have a special relationship with the United States or a state through treaty agreement or some other form of recognition. This includes any individual who claims to be an American Indian and who is regarded as such by the Indian Community of which the person claims to be a part.

A U.S. citizen whose origins are in Japan, China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Korea, Samoa, Guam, the U.S. Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (Republic of Palau), the Northern Mariana Islands, Laos, Kampuchea (Cambodia), Taiwan, Burma, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei, Republic of the Marshall Islands, or the Federated States of Micronesia.

A U.S. citizen whose origins are in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan or Nepal.

A business that is at least 51 percent owned by a woman or women who also control and operate it. "Control" in this context means exercising the power to make policy decisions. "Operate" in this context means actively involved in the day-to-day management.

A business smaller than a given size as measured by its employment, business receipts, or business assets. (See classified NAICS Codes for measures)

A firm owned and operated by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals and eligible to receive federal contracts under the Small Business Administration’s 8(a) Business Development Program

A firm that is at least 51 percent owned by one or more individuals who are both socially and economically disadvantaged. This can include a publicly owned business that has at least 51 percent of its stock unconditionally owned by one or more socially and economically disadvantaged individuals and whose management and daily business is controlled by one or more such individuals.

A business owned by individuals who have a physical or mental impairment that significantly restricts such individuals’ ability to perform one or more major life activities, individuals who have a record of such impairment, or persons who are regarded as being impaired.

A business owned by a veteran of the military, naval or air service, of the United States.

A business owned by a veteran of the military, naval or air service, of the United States with a physical or mental impairment that significantly restricts such individuals’ ability to perform one or more major life activities, individuals who have a record of such impairment, or persons who are regarded as being impaired.

Any organization not conducted or maintained for the purpose of making profit, included in this category are: sheltered workshop universities, colleges, and local, state and federal governments.

The HUBZone Empowerment Contracting Program, which is included in the Small Business Reauthorization Act of 1997, stimulates economic development and create jobs in urban and rural communities by providing contracting preferences to small businesses—that are located in a HUBZone and that hire employees who live in a HUBZone.