Kansas MBE/WBE Certification and Bid Preferences: Status and What to Do

What it is

The Kansas Department of Commerce, Office of Minority and Women Business Development, certifies Minority Business Enterprises (MBE) and Women Business Enterprises (WBE) through the Kansas Statewide Certification Program. Commerce says the state Division of Purchases "does not have contract goals" for DBEs, MBEs or WBEs. The certification is used by public and private buyers, school districts, local governments and prime contractors that set their own goals. Separately, the Department of Administration gives a 10% bid preference on state bids to Kansas disabled veteran businesses and to "certified businesses" that employ people with disabilities (K.S.A. 75-3740).

Who qualifies

• MBE/WBE: at least 51% owned and controlled by a minority or a woman who runs daily operations.
• MBE/WBE: for-profit, independent small business under SBA size standards. Owners must be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents.
• MBE/WBE: Commerce posts an "Out-of-State Affidavit of Eligibility" but does not explain the out-of-state rules.
• Disabled veteran business: domiciled in Kansas and at least 51% owned and controlled by disabled veterans. A disabled veteran has an honorable or general (under honorable conditions) discharge and a service-connected rating of at least 10%.
• Certified business: domiciled in Kansas, does business mainly in Kansas, has at least 10% of employees who are Kansans with disabilities, and pays at least 75% of each employee's individual health premium.

What it means for your bids

• MBE/WBE certification brings no state price preference or set-aside. It helps with buyers and primes that have their own goals.
• A disabled veteran business or certified business wins a state competitive bid if its total is no more than 10% above the lowest bid. A certified business may not subcontract more than 25% of the bid cost.
• Bidders that bought from certified businesses or State Use vendors last fiscal year can deduct those purchases, up to 10% of their bid.
• Preferences cannot be combined.
• Out-of-state bidders face Kansas's reciprocal preference: they must beat Kansas bids by whatever margin their home state gives its own bidders (K.S.A. 75-3740a, per the Texas Comptroller's summary).

How to get certified

1. MBE/WBE: use "Apply for Certification Today" on the Commerce page: https://kansascommerce.gov/program/business-incentives-and-services/mw-development/dmw-certification. Commerce uses the USDOT DBE application form. Applications are accepted year-round.
2. MBE/WBE: file the Annual Affidavit of Eligibility each year. The page does not state a fee or processing time.
3. Disabled veteran business: the Department of Administration certifies these firms each year, and the Kansas Office of Veterans Services verifies them. Certified businesses recertify every three years.
4. To claim a preference, submit the Department of Administration's preference forms with your bid: https://admin.ks.gov/offices/procurement-contracts/bidding--contracts/bidder-programs/bidder-preference-program

Watch out for

• One Commerce page, updated July 23, 2026, now calls the office the "Office of Small Business." The certification page still uses the old name. No notice explains the change.
• A 2025 budget provision barred DEI programs in Kansas state government starting August 1, 2025 (per Kansas Reflector). Commerce pages do not say it changed MBE/WBE certification.
• The Department of Administration's posted disabled veteran business list shows expiration dates from 2020 to 2023. Ask Procurement and Contracts for the current list.
• The Commerce Minority, Women and Veteran-Owned Business Directory is self-listed and "not certified."
• Federal DBE (USDOT, through KDOT) is a separate program.

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Sources

• kansascommerce.gov/program/business-incentives-and-services/mw-development/dmw-certifica
• kansascommerce.gov/program/business-incentives-and-services/mw-development
• www.kansascommerce.gov/resource/minority-women-business-development/
• www.kansascommerce.gov/?p=42440
• ksrevisor.gov/statutes/chapters/ch75/075_037_0040.html
• admin.ks.gov/offices/procurement-contracts/bidding--contracts/bidder-programs/bidd
• admin.ks.gov/offices/procurement-contracts/bidding--contracts/bidder-programs/cert
• www.kovs.ks.gov/resources/veteran-owned-business
• comptroller.texas.gov/purchasing/bidder-preference/kansas.php
• kansasreflector.com/briefs/dei-barred-in-kansas-government-universities-beginning-aug-1/

FindMyBids isn't affiliated with any certifying agency, and this isn't legal advice. Status can change quickly with court orders and new laws, so confirm with the program office before you rely on it.