Business Type Definitions

Business Types Definitions

Vendors registering with ColoradoVSS can self-select their Business Types, including Location, Tax status, Classification, and Additional Designations. Please note: these identifications are completely optional, and will have no effect on any future solicitation from the State. If you’re interested in seeing what is allowed under Colorado’s procurement code and rules in regards to preferences or set-asides, please see Title 24, Article 103, Parts 8 & 9 of the Colorado Revised Statutes (C.R.S.).

The State does have a 3% contracting goal for Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), but to be counted toward that goal the vendor must be registered and certified through Vet Biz. Merely self-selecting the SDVOSB vendor type in ColoradoVSS does not qualify a business to count toward this goal. More information on the State’s SDVOSB goal can be found in C.R.S. 24-103-905.

If you have any questions about any of this information, the ColoradoVSS Help Desk is available Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. MT, and can be reached by calling 303-866-6464 or emailing VSSHelp@state.co.us.

Business Type – Classification

Minority Business Enterprise – A business that is at least 51% owned by, and whose management and daily business operations are controlled by, one or more members of a socially and economically disadvantaged minority group, namely U.S. citizens who are African Americans (Black), Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, Asian-Pacific Americans, Subcontinent Asian Americans.

African American (BLK)

Asian Pacific American (ASN): Including but not limited to persons whose origins are from Japan, China, Taiwan, Korea, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, the Philippines, Samoa, the United States territories of the Pacific, or the Northern Mariana Islands.

Subcontinent Asian American (IND): American, including but not limited to persons whose origins are from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, or Nepal.

Hispanic American (HSP): Including but not limited to all persons of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Central or South American or other Spanish or Portuguese culture or origin regardless of race.

Native American (NAT): including but not limited to persons who are American Indians, Eskimos, Aleuts, or Hawaiians of Polynesian descent.

Certified Native American (CNA): Including but not limited to persons who are American Indians, Eskimos, Aleuts, or Hawaiians of Polynesian descent who have had their minority status certified by a federal, state, or local government agency or organization as having met all of the government standards that award eligibility.

Business Type – Additional Designations

CDOT Cert Emerging Small Business (CESB): Certified through the Colorado Unified Certification Program.

CDOT Cert Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (CDBE): Certified through the Colorado Unified Certification Program.

Women-Owned (WOM) - A business that is at least 51% owned by, and whose management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more women who are U.S. citizens.

Woman Business Enterprise (WBE) - A Women Business Enterprise usually certified by a federal, state or local government agency as having met all of the government standards that award eligibility.

Veteran Owned Business (VOB) - A business that is at least 51% owned by one or more veterans, who control and operate the business. Control in this context means exercising the power to make policy decisions and operate means to be actively involved in the day-to-day management of the business. The term "veteran" (38 U.S.C.101(2)) means a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service, and who was discharged or released there from under conditions other than.

Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) - A disabled veteran recognized by the state of California means a veteran of the U.S. military, naval, or air service, with a service-connected disability of at least 10% or more and who is a California resident. Where at least 51% is owned by disabled veterans and conducts daily business management and control. The home office cannot be a branch or subsidiary of a foreign corporation, foreign firm or other foreign-based.

Disadvantaged Veteran Enterprise (DVE) - Disadvantaged Veteran Enterprise - A business that is a small business concern owned and controlled by veterans, where not less than 51% controlled and managed by veterans. As defined in (38 U.S.C. 101(2)) See veteran definition.

Service Disabled Veteran (SDV) - A business that a veteran with a disability that is service connected. The term "service connected" means, with respect to disability or death, that such disability was incurred or aggravated in the line of duty in the active military, naval or air service. (38 U.S.C.101(16)).

Vietnam Veteran (VV) - A business that is at least 51% owned by one or more Vietnam Veterans who served between 1/1/59 and 5/7/75 and have control and operate the business. Control in this context means exercising the power to make policy decisions and operate means to be actively involved in the day-to-day management of the business.

Veteran Business Enterprise (VBE) - Under SBA Guidelines Small Business Act (PL 85-536) as amended states: Small Business Concerns owned and controlled by veterans not less than 51% owned by one or more veterans and in the case of a publicly owned business not less than 51% of the stock is owned by one or more veterans.

Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) - A business that is usually certified by a federal, state or local government agency as having met all of the government standards that award eligibility, but may include women, minority, disabled and other disadvantaged by as a result of economic disadvantages with respect to education, employment, residence or business location or social disadvantage and lack of business training.

Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB) - Small Disadvantaged Business: New certification eligibility criteria established by the SBA effective 7/1/99. All firms must be certified by one of the SDB Certification Agencies designated by the SBA. To qualify must be a small business, not exceed standards for Primary SIC, meet Contracting Officers assigned SIC code, be a U.S. Citizen and be 51% owned and controlled by one or more Socially & Economically Disadvantaged Individuals. The SBA classification is based on a Preponderance of the Evidence Clause this SDB Certification is good for 3 years.

Disabled Owned (DO) - A business that is at least 51% owned by one or more disabled persons who control and operate the business. Control in this context means exercising the power to make policy decisions and operate means to be actively involved in the day-to-day management of the business.

8(A) Designation (8A): The 8A designation is given to small companies owned by socially and economically disadvantaged persons, so that they may bid and obtain federal government contracts and other assistance to develop their business. The business owner must be eligible under the same rules and guidelines set down by the federal government.

HUBZone Certified (HUB) - A business that is operating in a certified historically under-utilized business zone. There are 7,000 qualified census tracts (HUD) and 900 qualified non-metropolitan counties.

Labor Surplus (LAB) - Is generally defined for a Civil Jurisdiction rather than the entire MSA where the average unemployment number is 20% higher than the average U.S. unemployment rate in the last two calendar years.

Historically Black Colleges / Universities & Minority Institutions (HBCU) - Historically Black and minority colleges and universities that are recognized by the government as legitimate set-aside business opportunities.

Small Business (SMB): To qualify as small business... a business concern eligible for assistance from SBA as a small business is one that is organized for profit, with a place of business located in the United States. It must operate primarily within the United States or make a significant contribution to the U.S. economy through payment of taxes or use of American products, materials or labor. Together with its affiliates, it must meet the numerical size standards as defined in the Small Business Size Regulations,13 CFR 121.

Certified Small Business (CSB): Indicates whether the business is small and one which has been certified by a federal, state or local government agency or organization as having met all of the government standards that award eligibility.

Airport Concession Disadvantage Business (ACDB): Federal Airport Concession Disadvantage Business (ACDB) regulations (49 CFR Part 23). Indicates whether a business operates as a concessionaire at one of the nation's airports and meets the ownership eligibility requirements as set forth by regulations outlined in 49 CFR Part 23.

Alaskan Native Corp (ANC): Section 450b(e) of title 25 U.S.C. 'Indian tribe' means any Indian tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community, including any Alaska Native village or regional or village corporation as defined in or established pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (85 Stat. 688) (43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), which is recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United States to Indians because of their status as Indians.