Business Diversity FAQs
What is a DBE?
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise – small businesses where socially and economically disadvantaged individuals own at minimum 51% of the company, and control management and daily business operations.
What is HUBZone?
Historically Underutilized Business – this program promotes economic development and creates jobs in rural and urban communities by providing federal contracting preferences to small businesses.
What is an MBE?
Minority Business Enterprise – a business which is owned, operated and, at minimum, 51% controlled by minority group members. Minority groups are classified as: African American, Asian-Indian, Asian-Pacific, Hispanic and Native American.
What is a SDVOSB?
Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business – a small business that is at least 51% owned directly and unconditionally by a service-disable veteran and managed and controlled by a service-disabled veteran, or spouse or permanent caregiver.
What is a SDB?
Small Disadvantaged Business – a business that is 51% owned by one or more individuals who are both socially and economically disadvantaged.
What is a VOSB?
Veteran-Owned Small Business – a small business that is at least 51% owned by one or more eligible veterans.
What is a WBE?
Women Business Enterprise – a business that is a minimum of 51% owned by one or more women.
What is a WOSB?
Women-Owned Small Business – a small business that is at least 51% owned by one or more women and whose management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more women.
How can I work with Walbridge?
The first step in doing business with Walbridge is to pre-qualify. You are invited to complete our online Pre-qualification Form. The form is also available by going to the www.walbridge.com home page where you may quickly access the form by clicking on the link at the bottom of your screen labeled pre-qual.
Why is it important that I pre-qualify?
Pre-qualifying ensures that we know your company’s capabilities in advance of bidding opportunities. When you pre-qualify online, it automatically feeds our invitation to bid (ITB) list. You are invited to bid based on your NAICS/SIC codes in the completed pre-qual form. If a question/area does not pertain to your company, please fill it in as N/A; this indicates that you did not skip the question. Please make certain that you attach all certifications that your company holds.
Should you need additional information or have other questions related to the certified section, please contact our Manager of Supplier Diversity.
Where can I find bidding opportunities?
To find bidding opportunities, please review our Bid Agenda. The Bid Agenda lists the projects that we are bidding. The link, labeled Bid Agenda, can be found at the bottom right hand corner of every page of www.walbridge.com. The Bid Agenda contains the pertinent info on the estimator in charge of the project, due date and scope of work for each project. We encourage you to contact the estimator in charge of the project that you wish to learn more about.
How do I become certified as a MBE or WBE?
To become a certified MBE through the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC), please visit the NMSDC web site. If you are located in Michigan, you can visit the Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council (MMSDC) web site.
To become a certified WBE through Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), please visit the WBENC web site. If your business is located in Michigan, you can visit the Michigan Women’s Business Council (MWBC) soon to be known as Women’s Business Enterprise Council Great Lakes web site.
Walbridge passion for teamwork is the difference between an employee and a stakeholder.
