What are the benefits of SWaM certification?
On August 10, 2006, Governor Timothy Kaine signed Executive Order No. 33 (2006) focusing on enhancing business opportunities for small, women- and minority-owned (“SWaM”) businesses. Governor Kaine set forth a 40% goal of purchases from SWaMs for the Commonwealth and established a Small Business Set-Aside Program, as well as several other initiatives for state agencies and departments to enhance SWaM participation in procurement activities. (Link to Executive Order No. 33 (2006) is: http://www.governor.virginia.gov/Initiatives/ExecutiveOrders/pdf/EO_33.pdf). Becoming SWaM certified includes you in the SWaM Vendor Directory, which is the listing used by state procurement officials to locate SWaM certified vendors.
