Small, Women-Owned & Minority-Owned Program
A SWaM vendor is a Small, Women-owned or Minority-owned business that has been certified through the Commonwealth by the Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity (SBSD). Visit sbsd.virginia.gov for more information.
How to Become SWaM Certified
All qualifying small, women-owned or minority-owned businesses are strongly encouraged to become certified. For a detailed SWaM Business Resource Guide click here. To become certified as a SWaM business:
- Complete the initial certification application.
- The SBSD will then contact you to either request additional documents or provide your SWaM certification number.
Contact the Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity (SBSD) at 804-786-6585 for further information on the SWaM certification process.
Finding a SWaM Vendor
Certified SWaM vendors are listed in the Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity (SBSD) database. You can search for a SWaM vendor by company name, NIGP commodity code description, or zip code.
Vendor Search Guide:
SWaM Home Page
- Go to the SBSD website home page located at: www.sbsd.virginia.gov
- On the SBSD home page, scroll down and click on SWaM and DBE Directory.
Small Business & Supplier Diversity SWaM & DBE Directory
- Another window should open. Click on the Small Business & Supplier Diversity SWaM and DBE Directory link.
Specifying SWaM Search Type
- The SWaM Directory Listing page contains filters to help narrow down your search.
- You can search by Certification Type, NIGP Code, NAICS code, City, and/or ZIP Code.
- There is also a Search field where you can type what you are looking for or enter in the Company's name.
Searching for a Vendor by Company Name
- To search for a vendor by name, enter the name of the vendor you would like to look up in the Search field. (For this example we will search for the vendor "RGH Enterprise".) Press Enter.
- Any vendor that matches your search criteria will populate, along with the vendor's information.
Alternate Search Methods
Filter by Certification Type, City or Zip Code.
CERTIFICATION TYPE
To search using Certification Type, you can either type in what certification(s) you are looking for in the Search field or select the certification type from the list. Click Apply when done.
CITY
To search using City, you can either type in the City in the Search field or select the city or cities from the list. Click Apply when done.
ZIP CODE
To search using ZIP Code, you can either type in the ZIP Code in the Search field or select the ZIP Code from the list. Click Apply when done.
You can also use the Search field to search more than one criteria by using commas to separate keywords.
SWaM Home Page
- Go to the SBSD website home page located at: www.sbsd.virginia.gov
- On the SBSD home page, scroll down and click on SWaM and DBE Directory.
Small Business & Supplier Diversity SWaM & DBE Directory
- Another window should open. Click on the Small Business & Supplier Diversity SWaM and DBE Directory link.
Specifying SWaM Search Type
- The SWaM Directory Listing page contains filters to help narrow down your search.
- You can search by Certification Type, NIGP Code, NAICS code, City, and/or ZIP Code.
- There is also a Search field where you can type what you are looking for or enter in the Company's name.
Searching for a Vendor by Company Name
- To search for a vendor by name, enter the name of the vendor you would like to look up in the Search field. (For this example we will search for the vendor "RGH Enterprise".) Press Enter.
- Any vendor that matches your search criteria will populate, along with the vendor's information.
Alternate Search Methods
Filter by Certification Type, City or Zip Code.
CERTIFICATION TYPE
To search using Certification Type, you can either type in what certification(s) you are looking for in the Search field or select the certification type from the list. Click Apply when done.
CITY
To search using City, you can either type in the City in the Search field or select the city or cities from the list. Click Apply when done.
ZIP CODE
To search using ZIP Code, you can either type in the ZIP Code in the Search field or select the ZIP Code from the list. Click Apply when done.
You can also use the Search field to search more than one criteria by using commas to separate keywords.
Executive Order 35
Governor Northam signed EO35 (Advancing Equity for Virginia's Small, Women-owned, Minority-owned, and Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Businesses.) As a helpful tool, we have provided Cooperative Contract & SWaM Vendor Aid to help locate SWaM and Cooperative Contract vendors.
SWaM Training
To complete ODU's SWaM Procurement Training, view the SWaM Procurement Training course in Canvas in its entirety.
SWaM FAQ's
A SWaM vendor is a Small, Women-owned or Minority-owned business that has been certified through the Commonwealth by Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity (SBSD). For more information please visit sbsd.virginia.gov.
All qualifying small, women or minority owned businesses are strongly encouraged to become certified. They can be certified by completing the initial certification application and submitting required documents online to http://sbsd.virginia.gov/business-certifications-2/.The Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity (SBSD) will then contact you to either request additional documents or provide your SWaM certification number. Contact SBSD at 804-786-6585 for further information on the SWaM certification process.
No. SWaM vendors shall be utilized when prices are fair and reasonable. However, all efforts shall be made to utilize a SWaM vendor.
Certified SWaM vendors are listed in the SBSD database. You can search for SWaM vendor by company name, NIGP commodity code description, or zip code. Please see the Vendor Search Guide under "Finding a SWaM Vendor" above.