Like all governments, the State of Florida spends billions of dollars with companies on all types of goods and services each year. Everything that a private business needs is also needed by the state government, only on a much larger scale than most businesses.
State officials understand the need to contract with Florida-based small businesses, since they represent the best of Florida business. They understand that by helping small businesses thrive, the economy will thrive as well.
As such, there is a significant effort to award contracts to Florida-based small businesses, but how that is done is continually being changed, with a focus less on race and gender.
Even with the changes, businesses have to take action to not miss out on the tremendous opportunity the government provides.
Becoming a Certified Business Enterprise with the state represents a formalized way to increase visibility, build credibility with government purchasers, and open doors to procurement opportunities.
The attorneys at The Orlando Law Group specialize in helping businesses with certifications such as these in Orlando, Sanford, Winter Garden, Kissimmee and throughout Central Florida.
We’re here to help you understand the process, ensure your eligibility, and assist throughout the process to help minimize any errors or delays.
What Certifications Are Still Available with the State
At the core of Florida’s official certification landscape is the Certified Business Enterprise (CBE) designation, administered by the Department of Management Services (DMS) Office of Supplier Development.
Through the CBE program, businesses owned by qualifying women, veterans, minorities, or service-disabled veterans can receive formal recognition as certified enterprises for the purpose of interacting with state agencies on procurement and contracting.
Certified businesses are listed in an official state directory accessible to agency purchasing directors, local governments, state universities, and other public entities.
Keep in mind, this is different than in the past, when state law included more explicit procurement preferences based on demographic status, recent legislative efforts have sought to limit or repeal statutory procurement preferences tied exclusively to minority or demographic status.
Also, remember that the only certification the state recognizes is the one it provides.
While federal and local programs, such as Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) certification administered by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), also exist, they operate under distinct federal legal frameworks and are separate from the state’s CBE system.
Similarly, nationally recognized certifications such as those issued by the Florida State Minority Supplier Development Council (FSMSDC) or other councils may be valuable in corporate and some government markets, but they are not the official state certification required for Florida state procurement.
Regardless of statutory reform, Florida continues to accept and process CBE applications through DMS, and the certification remains a recognized state credential that can help small businesses gain access to government procurement markets.
Registration for Minority-, Women- and Veteran-owned Businesses
Rather than operating multiple standalone certification programs, Florida uses the CBE framework to recognize several qualifying ownership categories under one designation.
These include Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), Woman Business Enterprise (WBE), Veteran Business Enterprise (VBE), and Service-Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (SDVBE).
A business does not receive a separate certificate for each category; instead, it is certified as a CBE with one or more applicable ownership designations noted in the state’s records. This approach allows Florida to maintain consistent eligibility standards while still identifying the distinct ownership characteristics of certified firms.
To register for these subcategories, the following criteria apply:
- Be legally registered to do business in Florida as a for-profit organization (registration through the Department of State).
- Be based in Florida.
- Be owned and managed by a resident(s) of Florida.
- Be 51 percent owned and managed by a woman, veteran, or minority who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien.
- Be currently engaged in commercial transactions.
- Be registered in MyFloridaMarketPlace (MFMP).
- Have a net worth of less than $5 million.
- Employ 200 or fewer full-time permanent employees
- Have a professional license, if required by the industry, in the name of the woman, veteran, or minority business owner.
How a Business Becomes Certified
Becoming certified as a CBE with the State of Florida involves a structured, multi-step process that begins with establishing your business as an eligible vendor.
The first step is registration in MyFloridaMarketPlace (MFMP), the state’s portal for vendor registration and procurement interaction.
On that page is a tremendous guide to certification. You’ll see it is not easy, with many very technical financial and sales data required.
This registration provides your business with a vendor profile and is also the entry point for submitting a CBE certification application through the official vendor information portal.
Once vendor status is established, the business must prepare and submit documentation demonstrating that it meets Florida’s eligibility requirements for the CBE program.
Documentation is submitted to the Office of Supplier Development for review. If the application meets the statutory and administrative criteria, the state grants certification and includes the business in its certified vendor directory.
Certification is typically valid for two years, after which businesses must apply for recertification to remain in good standing and retain directory listing and access to benefits.
Importantly, certification applicants must also maintain compliance with any professional licensing laws relevant to their field, including holding licenses in the name of qualifying owners where required, and must report changes in ownership or management that could affect certification status.
Remember, this process is constantly changing with new regulations and legislation.
For instance, although Florida’s administrative rules and program materials continue to refer to the Office of Supplier Diversity, changes in legislation and program governance have also resulted in updated internal nomenclature (such as the Office of Supplier Development).
Business owners should consult the DMS procurement and supplier development pages on dms.myflorida.com for the most current application procedures and documentation checklists.
What Types of Contracts Are Available to Certified Businesses
Certification does not automatically result in an award of state contracts, nor does it confer a legal right to a contract based solely on ownership status.
Instead, certification signals to procurement officers and prime contractors that your business meets defined eligibility standards and is included in the state’s official supplier database used by agencies when they identify potential vendors for goods, services, and consulting engagements.
In addition, prime contractors bidding on large state contracts often seek certified businesses as subcontractors to help meet internal diversity and supplier participation goals, even in the absence of statutory set-aside requirements.
Certification can increase a business’s likelihood of being considered for these partnerships.
Another practical avenue comes through networking and outreach: the state’s Office of Supplier Development periodically organizes events and programs in which certified businesses can present their capabilities directly to procurement professionals.
These forums may lead to introductions, informal procurement engagements, or inclusion in agency planning for future procurements.
Monitoring Legal Changes and Staying Effective
Because Florida’s supplier diversity and procurement statutes are in transition, it is critical for small business owners and legal practitioners to monitor legislative developments and administrative guidance.
Of course, that is an important role of The Orlando Law Group – ensuring your company is updated on any changes that might affect your business, including changes to any certification programs.
The attorneys at The Orlando Law Group help with all types of legal issues for business owners and individuals in Orlando, Waterford Lakes, Altamonte Springs, Winter Garden, Lake Nona, St. Cloud, Kissimmee, and throughout Central Florida.
If you have questions about anything discussed in this article or other legal matters, give our office a call at 407-512-4394 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a consultation to discuss your case. We have an office conveniently located at 12301 Lake Underhill Rd, Suite 213, Orlando, FL 32828, as well as offices in Seminole, Osceola and West Orange counties to assist you.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly
Last Updated on January 8, 2026 by The Orlando Law Group
