New Mexico Resident and Veteran Business Preference: Status and What to Do
- Where
- NM Taxation and Revenue Department, In-State and Veteran Preference Certification
- Status
- Active. New Mexico does not run its own MBE or WBE certification. Taxation and Revenue issues resident and resident veteran certificates that give an 8% or 10% edge on state and local bids, except on federally funded buys.
- Contact
- 505-231-6893
- Last checked
- 2026-10-10
What it is
New Mexico does not run its own MBE or WBE certification. The Taxation and Revenue Department (TRD) issues resident business, resident contractor, resident veteran business and resident veteran contractor certificates, plus Native American resident versions. State and local public bodies use them to apply price or score preferences on formal bids and requests for proposals for goods, services and public works (NMSA 13-1-21, 13-1-22 and 13-4-2).
Who qualifies
- You must be licensed to do business in New Mexico and meet one of four residency paths in NMSA 13-1-22.
- Established business: paid New Mexico property taxes or rent, plus at least one other state tax, in each of the 3 prior years.
- New business: the owner or majority owners meet that same 3-year test.
- Relocated business: at least 80% of staff were state residents the prior year, and the business leased in-state property for 10 years or bought in-state property worth more than $100,000.
- A previously certified or eligible business that changed its name, reorganized, was bought or merged but is substantially the same enterprise.
- A certified public accountant's affidavit must confirm these facts.
- Veteran certificate: also send either VA verification as a veteran-owned small business, or a DD-214 showing honorable discharge (or VA service-disabled status) plus proof that veterans own a majority of the business.
- The veteran preference is limited to businesses with annual gross revenues of up to $6 million in the prior tax year (per the Texas Comptroller's summary of NMSA 13-1-21).
What it means for your bids
- Formal bids: a resident business bid is treated as 8% lower. A resident veteran business bid is treated as 10% lower.
- Requests for proposals: 8% (resident) or 10% (veteran) of the total evaluation weight or points is added.
- Public works: the same 8% and 10% apply to resident and resident veteran contractors. Agencies award public works to resident contractors "whenever practicable."
- You cannot get both the resident and the veteran preference on one award. Joint bids get a share of the preference by each firm's part of the work. One person cannot benefit through more than one business at a time.
- The preferences do not apply when a purchase includes federal funds.
- Submit your certificate with your bid or proposal.
How to get certified
- Apply to TRD using its application and CPA affidavit. Start at https://www.tax.newmexico.gov/businesses/in-state-veteran-preference-certification/ or call 505-231-6893.
- TRD must tell you within 30 days if you are not eligible, or the certificate is deemed approved. You have 15 days to object to a denial.
- A certificate is valid for 3 years. You must reapply if ownership changes by more than 50%.
- Fee: the statute lets TRD charge a fee no higher than its actual cost. The TRD page does not list one.
- Buyers check certificates at https://secure.mvd.newmexico.gov/residentcertificate/. Look yours up after approval.
Watch out for
- Federal DBE (highway and transit work) is a separate program.
- The preferences apply to local public bodies as well as state agencies. Cities and counties may also run their own programs.
- The TRD page does not list form numbers or processing times.
- Questions: TRD at 505-231-6893.
Common questions
Is the New Mexico Resident Business, Resident Contractor and Resident Veteran Business Preference Certificates still active?
New Mexico does not run its own MBE or WBE certification. Taxation and Revenue issues resident and resident veteran certificates that give an 8% or 10% edge on state and local bids, except on federally funded buys.
Where do I check my certification status?
NM Taxation and Revenue Department, In-State and Veteran Preference Certification: https://www.tax.newmexico.gov/businesses/in-state-veteran-preference-certification/
Sources
- www.tax.newmexico.gov/businesses/in-state-veteran-preference-certification/
- law.justia.com/codes/new-mexico/chapter-13/article-1/section-13-1-22/
- comptroller.texas.gov/purchasing/bidder-preference/new-mexico.php
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.
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