Department of Small Business & Supplier Diversity

The Virginia Department of Small Business & Supplier Diversity (VDSBSD) supports and promotes economic development in the Commonwealth of Virginia by enhancing growth opportunities for Virginia’s small businesses to prosper through increased revenue and job creation thereby raising the standard of living for all Virginians. The VDSBSD also contains the Virginia Small Business Financing Authority (VSBFA), which is The Commonwealth’s business financing arm.  Its loan officers work with commercial banks to help them provide loans to small businesses; to provide direct loans and credit enhancements; and to administer a grant program which provides grants to individual investors who are investing in small businesses.  For more information, visit www.sbsd.virginia.gov.

SWaM

The Small, Women-owned, and Minority-owned Business (SWaM) certification program is a state program of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The purpose is to enhance procurement opportunities for SWaM businesses participating in state-funded projects.  To become certified, businesses must qualify and register with the Department  of Small Business and Supplier Diversity.  For additional information on SWaM categories or to apply visit the SWaM page on the DSBSD website.

Goals

UMW SWaM goals are supported by the Vice President for Administration and Finance and Chief Financial Officer, and is in compliance with the Governor’s Executive Order. The goal of the Commonwealth of Virginia is to procure 42% of goods and services through SWaM certified vendors.

For more information, please view UMW’s SWaM Plan.

Progress

To see the progress reports of SWaM vendor purchasing at UMW, visit the Commonwealth of Virginia Dashboard.  Within the Expenditure Report, select to maximize the report window, scroll down to Education, then to University of Mary Washington.