Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Program
The Minority Business Program was created in 1983 through the enactment of Wisconsin Act 390 which extended and amended the law relating to purchases made by many state agencies and campuses of the University of Wisconsin System.
According to the Act, firms wishing to participate in the program must be certified by the Wisconsin Department of Administration.
There are several benefits of being certified. These include a preference which may be awarded to any MBE bid that is no more than 5% higher than the apparent low bid or competitive proposal that is no more than 5% lower than the most advantageous offer. This permissive 5% low-bid preference is applicable to all state purchases except printing and stationery.
By being listed on the State’s directory, firms in the program have a broader business reach to corporate buyers beyond the borders of Wisconsin.
Woman-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE) Program
In 2006, the Wisconsin Legislature enacted a woman-owned business bill that requires the Department of Administration “to develop, maintain, and keep a computer database of businesses in the state that are owned by women, containing demographic statistics and information on the types of industries represented, sales volume and growth rates, generation of jobs by both new and existing businesses and any other relevant characteristics.”
According to the Act, firms wishing to participate in the program must be certified by the Wisconsin Department of Administration.
Many firms in the WBE program are strongly involved in providing their services in the public and private sector.
Among the many benefits of being certified are: being listed on the State’s directory provides firms in the program with a broader business reach to corporate buyers, prime contractors and agencies of local, state and federal governments beyond the borders of Wisconsin.
Disabled Veteran-Owned Business Enterprise (DVB) Program
In May 2010, the Wisconsin Legislature enacted Wisconsin Act 299 that extended the benefits of the state’s procurement goals to businesses owned by disabled veterans. A goal of 1% was created for such businesses under 2013 Wisconsin Act 192. These include a preference for bids that are no more than 5% higher than the apparent low bid or competitive proposal that is no more than 5% higher than the most advantageous offer. This permissive 5% low-bid preference is applicable to all state purchases except printing and stationery.
According to the Act, firms wishing to participate in the program must be certified by the Wisconsin Department of Administration in accordance with the law.
There are several benefits of being certified. These include a price preference which may be awarded to any DVB bid that is no more than 5% of the apparent low bid or competitive proposal that is no more than 5% higher than the most advantageous offer. This permissive 5% low-bid preference is applicable to all state purchases except printing and stationery.
By being listed on the State’s directory, firms in the program have a broader business reach to corporate buyers beyond the borders of Wisconsin.