Rhode Island MBE, WBE and Veteran Certification: Status and What to Do

What it is

The Division of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (DEDI) in the Department of Administration certifies Minority (MBE), Women (WBE) and Veteran and Service-Disabled Veteran (VBE/SDVBE) Business Enterprises. State law sets a goal of at least 15% of the dollar value of state procurements and construction projects for MBEs, split 7.5% minority-owned and 7.5% women-owned. Veteran-owned small businesses have a 3% annual goal. The Governor's Commission on Disabilities (GCD) certifies Disability Business Enterprises.

What changed

• Two 2025 laws (P.L. 2025, ch. 169 and 170) took effect June 24, 2025 and amended R.I. Gen. Laws 37-14.1-6. The 15% goal and its 7.5% split did not change.
• The Department of Administration must give prospective contractors a list of certified minority- and women-owned firms, and cannot grant a waiver until it has helped the contractor try to comply. Waiver records must be public.
• An agency that does not make a good faith effort must submit a remedial action plan.
• DEDI says a statewide disparity study is being launched. It gives no timeline.

Who qualifies

• MBE/WBE: at least 51% owned and controlled by economically disadvantaged people who are Black, Hispanic, American Indian/Alaskan Native, Asian American, Portuguese or SBA 8(a) disadvantaged (MBE), or women (WBE). Owners must be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents.
• Limits per the DEDI FAQ: owner personal net worth up to $1,320,000, principal owner average adjusted gross income up to $350,000, and firm average gross receipts up to $23.98 million (three years). The firm must be for-profit and operating at least six months.
• Firms certified as SBA 8(a) are treated as state-certified MBEs with proof of good standing.
• VBE: at least 51% owned and controlled by economically disadvantaged veterans (180+ days active duty, discharge other than dishonorable), a small business under SBA standards, operating six months or more.
• Out-of-state MBE/WBE firms must be certified in their home state first. For VBE, another state's certification is considered but is not reciprocal.
• Disability Business Enterprise: owned and controlled by people with disabilities with 50 or fewer employees, or 60% of work hours done by people with disabilities, or a nonprofit rehabilitation facility.

What it means for your bids

• Primes on state procurements and construction projects need certified MBE/WBE participation toward the 15% goal. Only certified firms count, and waivers are now public.
• Veteran certification counts toward the 3% goal. The law lets the department set preference formulas by rule.
• Disability Business Enterprises are listed for state buyers and get outreach. GCD's page describes no set-aside or price preference.

How to get certified

1. Download the MBE-WBE-VBE-SDVBE Certification Application and Personal Financial Statement from the DEDI page: https://dedi.ri.gov/division-units/minority-business-enterprise-compliance-office/mbe-wbe-and-vbesdvbe-programs
2. Create a Rhode Island Secure Mail account using DEDI's instructions.
3. Send the application and documents as a ZIP file (25MB max) with the subject line "[Business Name] [Certification] Certification Application."
4. Host a DEDI site visit.
5. Each year, send the Annual Declaration of Eligibility (MBE/WBE firms also send an annual Personal Financial Statement). DEDI does a fuller review with a new site visit every five years.

The state "does not charge a fee." Review "generally takes up to ninety (90) days." For Disability Business Enterprise, register as a state vendor and file Commission Form J. That certification lasts one calendar year.

Watch out for

• Federal DBE certification is separate, even though DEDI also handles it.
• Missing an annual update can cost you your certification.
• Questions: dedi.mbeco@doa.ri.gov or (401) 574-8606. Disability Business Enterprise: GCD.disabilities@gcd.ri.gov or (401) 462-0100.

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Sources

• dedi.ri.gov/division-units/minority-business-enterprise-compliance-office/mbe-wbe
• dedi.ri.gov/division-units/minority-business-enterprise-compliance-office/faqs
• dedi.ri.gov/division-units/minority-business-enterprise-compliance-office
• dedi.ri.gov/divisions-units/minority-business-enterprise-compliance-office/minori
• law.justia.com/codes/rhode-island/title-37/chapter-37-14-1/section-37-14-1-6/
• law.justia.com/codes/rhode-island/2024/title-37/chapter-37-14-1/section-37-14-1-6/
• webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE37/37-14.3/37-14.3-4.htm
• dedi.ri.gov/sites/g/files/xkgbur811/files/documents/220-RICR-80-15-1-Certificatio
• gcd.ri.gov/employment/disability-business-enterprise
• gcd.ri.gov/employment/disability-business-enterprise/faqs

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.