Supplier Diversity and Sustainability in the UT Market Place

Small and Diversity Business Classifications Recognized by the State of Tennessee

• DSBE – Business owned by persons with disabilities
• MBE – Minority-owned business enterprise
• SBE – Small business enterprise
• SDVBE – Service-disabled veteran-owned business enterprise
• WBE – Women-owned business enterprise

Visit the Tennessee Governor’s Office of Diversity Business Enterprise’s website to learn more.

State Certifying Agencies

• TN GoDBE – Tennessee Governor’s Office of Diversity Business Enterprise

GoDBE certifies Tennessee businesses that are small, minority-owned, woman-owned, service-disabled veteran-owned, or owned by persons with disabilities.  This is the most important certification to UT because when we report our small and diversity business spend to the state, we are only allowed to report spend with GoDBE certified companies.  Currently, GoDBE certifications are the only certifications that we track and report.

• Other States’ Certifying Agencies

Federal Certifying Agencies

• SBA – U. S. Small Business Administration
• Departments of Transportation, including TDOT and other transportation authorities in Tennessee (Uniform Certifying Program or “UCP”)

Independent Certifying Agencies

• MMBC – Mid-South Minority Business Council Continuum
• NMBC – The National Minority Business Council, Inc.
• NMSDC – National Minority Supplier Development Council
  • TSMSDC – Tri-State Minority Supplier Development Council, regional affiliate of NMSDC serving Kentucky, Tennessee, and West Virginia
• WBENC – Women’s Business Enterprise National Council