Ethnic-minority businesses have majority ownership, management, and control by an American of a federally recognized minority race:
• Black Americans (African American, Caribbean, etc.)
• Hispanic Americans (Hispanic, Latinx, Mexican American, Spanish, etc.)
• Native Americans (American Indian, Alaska Native Corporations, etc.)
• Asian Americans (Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, etc.)
• Native Hawaiian & Other Pacific Islanders (Guamanian, Hawaiian, Samoan, etc.)
Certification Requirements
Minority and diverse businesses are strongly encouraged to confirm eligibility with proof of third-party certification or registration. Related certifications include DBE, MBE, WBE, 8(a), WOSB, MWBE, VOSB, and VBE.
Businesses that self-certify their minority status may be subject to additional review and verification to confirm program eligibility.
Recognized third-party diversity certification organizations include:
MVP works with minority and diverse businesses from emerging start-ups to publicly traded and global corporations. The program positions vendors for success by helping their businesses strengthen operations to ensure profitable and timely delivery of quality services and goods at the best value.
MVP assembles a team of highly skilled and experienced professionals. Most consultants are successful minority entrepreneurs and business owners who understand what it takes to be competitive, even when the playing field does not always feel level.
The program holds registered vendors accountable to an unyielding commitment to quality, safety, and service while providing skill, trade, and industry-specific training and resources to increase the capacity and readiness of Alabama’s minority businesses.
Contractors use the MVP Database to source vendors for goods and services. Businesses registered through the MVP platform are pre-qualified by the program, allowing prime contractors to offer job opportunities to new vendors with greater ease and confidence.
Qualified MVP businesses receive direct notification of bids and contracts matching their expertise and service areas. Prime contractors are also notified of vendors meeting job requirements to assist with outreach.
Registered businesses may request assistance with competitive bid preparation. MVP Leaders are available for pre-bid sessions, and they offer expert advice on estimating, bonding, and responding to bids.
MVP sponsors events to leverage the power of connection. Networking and trade-specific matchmaking events are coordinated together with prime and subcontractors and the minority and diverse businesses in the program.
MVP tracks agency, prime-contractor, and subcontractor spending with minority vendors. Data are reported to support decision makers in the implementation of more policies that close the “participation gap” for minority vendors in Alabama.
MVP is working toward a more equitable and inclusive business community in the state—championing the businesses that represent Alabamians’ full spectrum of racial, geographic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Our team of regional program liaisons is available to assist minority vendors across the state.
Contact the MVP Team at team@mvpalabama.com.
