Frequently Asked Questions

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MBE stands for Minority-Owned Business Enterprise. MBEs have been certified by the Wisconsin Supplier Diversity Program to be at least 51% owned, managed and controlled by an eligible racial ethnic category and serve a useful business function.

WBE stands for Woman-Owned Business Enterprise. WBEs have been certified by the Wisconsin Supplier Diversity Program to be at least 51% owned, managed and controlled by a woman or women and serve a useful business function.

DVB stands for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business. DVBs have been certified by the Wisconsin Supplier Diversity Program to be at least 51% owned, managed and controlled by a veteran with a disability rating of at least 0%. DVB businesses must serve a useful business function the majority owners must reside in Wisconsin and the business must be located in Wisconsin.

Yes, you may apply for any combination of certifications, including all three - MBE, WBE and/or DVB.

Being certified with the State of WI has numerous benefits. First of all, MBEs, WBEs, and DVBs are listed in Wisconsin’s Database of Certified Suppliers. Prime contractors, State Agencies, University Campuses, government entities and private businesses use the database when seeking diverse suppliers.

The State of Wisconsin has goals of purchasing 5% with certified MBEs and 1% with certified DVBs. MBEs and DVBs who are certified have access to opportunities with the State of Wisconsin and help the State achieve its diverse spend goals.

MBEs and DVBs are eligible to receive a 5% bid preference when they bid on state projects and contracts.

Documents from the Document Checklist are needed for New Certification Applications. There is a Checklist for each Certification type – MBE, WBE and DVB. The Document Checklists indicate whether a document is required or requested.

If you do not have a required document, please email WisdpWebApplication@wi.gov to troubleshoot. If you do not have a requested document, you may submit your application without it. Certification Specialists will review your application and determine if any additional documents are needed.

In any case, 11 documents are required to submit your application for review. If you do not have at least 11 documents uploaded, the system will not allow you to submit your application. Additionally, not submitting all of the required and requested documentation could prolong review processing time for your application and increase work for the Certification Specialists.

How can I get help with the application process?

If you need help with the application process, please email the Supplier Diversity Program - WisdpWebApplication@wi.gov. Our knowledgeable staff will be delighted to assist you in becoming certified.

The MBE program does not have a New Application, Recertification or Annual update fee.

Both the WBE and DVB programs have a $150 New Application and Recertification fee. There is no fee for the WBE and DVB Annual Update. The Supplier Diversity Program doest not have ePayment. Checks or Money Orders for WBE and DVB New Applications and Recertifications should be made out to the Department of Administration and mailed to:

Department of Administration
WI Supplier Diversity Program
PO Box 7970
Madison, WI 53707-7970

On average it takes 2-4 weeks for New Application and Recertification review.

Several factors affect the length of time to review and approve a New Certification or Recertification Application - number of applications in queue, staffing levels, completeness of application, timeliness of response to requests for information/documentation, etc.

The Supplier Diversity Program will request a site visit when there are unanswered questions regarding a Business’ eligibility for Certification or if another state requests a “Courtesy” site visit for a Certified Business in Wisconsin. An Interview with the majority Business Owner(s) and a Facility tour are part of the Site Visit. Site visits are currently being conducted virtually.

Wisconsin does not have reciprocity with other states. If your business is certified by your home state (state where headquarters is located), then your business may be eligible to apply for State of Wisconsin MBE and/or WBE Certification.

To be DVB Certified, businesses must be located in Wisconsin.

Wisconsin recognizes the Unified Certification Program of the Wisconsin of Department of Transportation Office of Business Opportunity and Equity Compliance (OBOEC). If a business is DBE certified through OBOEC, City of Madison, County of Dane, or County of Milwaukee, then they can submit documentation of their DBE Certification, complete a Substantially Equivalent Application (SEA), and become MBE, WBE, or DVB Certified with the State of Wisconsin.

Wisconsin does not have reciprocity with other states. Out of state businesses must complete the application process to become certified in Wisconsin.

Out of state businesses must be registered in the State of Wisconsin through the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions. See the 'Out of State Business' section for each certification type for instructions on how to become registered in Wisconsin.

MBE – Out of state requirements
Eligible out of state businesses with MBE certification from their Home State can be MBE certified in Wisconsin. If an out of state business is not certified by their home state, then they may be certified under provisions of the Business Capability Condition (Admin Code 84.22(1)(b)). Out of State Business Capability Condition applications are reviewed case by case.

WBE– Out of state requirements
Eligible out of state businesses with WBE certification from their Home State can be WBE certified in Wisconsin. If an out of state business is not certified by their Home State, then they are not eligible for Wisconsin WBE Certification (Admin Code 83.92). Out of state businesses must also have a customer in Wisconsin to become WBE certified.

DVB– Out of state requirements
Out of state businesses are NOT eligible for Wisconsin DVB Certification.

Home state is certification is documentation that a business has of their MBE or WBE Certification from a certifying entity in their headquarter state. Wisconsin does not consider national or municipal (city or county) certifications to be home state certification.


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Annual Update

Yes. All Wisconsin Certified Businesses must complete an Annual Update at the end of Year 1 and Year 2 of their Certification Period. Completing the Annual Update provides valuable information about your business and ensures business contact information remains up to date.

To complete the Annual Update, please do the following:

  • Login to the Wisconsin Supplier Diversity Portal - wisdp.wi.gov
  • Verify and Update Business and Contact Information
  • Enter Gross Receipts (Business Information Tab)
  • Enter Workforce (Other Information Tab)
  • Verify and Submit Annual Update Application

There is no fee for the MBE, WBE or DVB Annual Update.

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Recertification

The Supplier Diversity Program certifies businesses for 3 years. At the end of the 3-year Certification Period, a business must Recertify to keep their MBE, WBE or DVB Business Certification Active.

To complete the Recertification Process, please do the following:

  • Login to the Wisconsin Supplier Diversity Portal - wisdp.wi.​gov
  • Verify and Update Business and Contact Information
  • Upload 4 documents (If 4 documents are not uploaded, the system will generate an error.):
    • 3 Years of Federal Business Taxes (3 documents). [Be sure to include Ownership Forms/Schedules (Schedule K-1, Form 1125-E and/or Schedule G). Recertification Applications cannot be approved without them.]
    • Current Business Financials, i.e. Profit and Loss or Balance Sheet (1 document)
  • Upload documentation of Home State Certification (Out-of-state MBE and WBE Businesses only). Note: Additional Certifications do not need to be uploaded.
  • Verify and Submit Recertification Application
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The MBE program does not have a Recertification fee.

Both the WBE and DVB programs have a $150 Recertification fee. The Supplier Diversity Program does not have ePayment. Checks or Money Orders for WBE and DVB Recertifications should be made out to the Department of Administration and mailed to:

Department of Administration
WI Supplier Diversity Program
PO Box 7970
Madison, WI 53707-7970

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Miscellaneous​

Please email the Wisconsin Supplier Diversity program at WisdpWebApplication@wi.gov. Staff will help you access your Business Account.

Please email the Wisconsin Supplier Diversity program at WisdpWebApplication@wi.gov. Staff will help you update the ownership for your business. Note: You will not be able to revise the ownership in your Business Account. SDP Staff may request information on business owner(s) to include ethnicity and race, gender, percent ownership, etc.

A copy of your Certificate and Approval letter is saved within your Uploaded Documents as “Letterand…” or something similar. You may access it there. Please note the files within Uploaded Documents are not organized alphabetically or by date.

If you are unable to locate the Certificate and Approval letter, please email the Wisconsin Supplier Diversity Program. SDP staff will email an electronic copy of your Certificate and Approval Letter.

Out of state corporations and LLCs must be registered in Wisconsin to conduct business in the State of Wisconsin. Please see Out of State Businesses for MBE and WBE for information on registering your business in the State of Wisconsin. DVBs cannot be located outside of the State of Wisconsin.

If you are unable to make edits to your Business Account, your account is likely in a non-editing status. Please email the Wisconsin Supplier Diversity Program a screenshot of the any error. SDP staff will help you troubleshoot.

Email is the best way to communicate with the Wisconsin Supplier Diversity Program – WisdpWebApplication@wi.gov. However, if you may call ​608-267-9550 if you wish to speak to someone directly.

Wisconsin recognizes the Unified Certification Program of the Wisconsin of Department of Transportation Office of Business Opportunity and Equity Compliance (OBOEC). If a business is DBE certified through OBOEC, City of Madison, County of Dane, or County of Milwaukee, then they can submit documentation of their DBE Certification, complete a Substantially Equivalent Application (SEA), and become MBE, WBE, or DVB Certified with the State of Wisconsin.

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Doing Business with the State of Wisconsin​

You do not need to be certified to bid on State projects; however, you must be certified to utilize the MBE or DVB 5% bid preference.

The State of Wisconsin has goals of purchasing 5% with certified MBEs and 1% with certified DVBs. MBEs and DVBs who are WI certified have access to opportunities with the State of Wisconsin help the State achieve its diverse spend goals.

MBEs and DVBs are eligible to receive a 5% bid preference when they bid on state projects and contracts.

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