SUPPLIER DIVERSITY PROGRAM

Standards

Requirements for Validation as a Minority, Woman or Veteran Business Enterprise (MWVBE)

To become eligible, a company must:

• provide a valid copy of certification from one or more of the following agencies:
  • Small Business Administration
  • U.S. Department of Transportation
  • National Minority Supplier Development Council
  • Women's Business Enterprise National Council
  • Any State/Municipality Certification
  • Other certifications as deemed acceptable by Novation
• agree in writing with Novation's definition of a MWVBE supplier or distributor and provide a statement of business classification
• meet all Novation business requirements such as purchase reporting, payment of fees, participation in Novation's contract process and, if awarded an agreement, signing a formal contract with Novation
• provide Novation with updated certificates as required
• allow a physical audit of certified MWVBEs' operation

Definition of a Minority, Woman and Veteran Business Enterprise

"Minority" means a person who is a citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States and who is:

• Black/African-American - a person having origins in any of the black African racial groups not of Hispanic origin
• Latin-American - a person of Puerto Rican, Mexican, Cuban, Central or South American culture or origin, regardless of race
• Asian-American and Pacific Rim islander - a person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, the Indian subcontinent or the Pacific islands
• Native American or Alaskan Native - a person having origins in any of the original peoples of North America and maintaining identifiable tribal affiliations through membership and participation or community identification in an Indian tribal entity or a native entity within the state of Alaska recognized by the federal government and listed as such in the Federal Register. Such affiliation shall be evidenced by a valid identification card or other writing issued by the entity for the purpose of confirming affiliation.

"Minority Business Enterprise" or "MBE" means a business entity that is owned, operated and controlled by one or more members of one or more minority groups.

"Owned, operated and controlled" means a business entity which is at least 51 percent owned by one or more members of minority groups or women, or in the case of a publicly held corporation, at least 51 percent of the stock of which is owned by members of one or more minority groups or women; and whose management and daily business is operated and controlled by one or more such individuals who are citizens or permanent resident aliens.

"Women-Owned Business Enterprise" or "WBE" means a business entity that is owned, operated and controlled by one or more women.

Veteran (Veteran, Disabled Veteran, Service-Disabled Veteran) Business Enterprises or "VBE" means a small business entity that is owned, operated and controlled by one or more veterans.