Get Certified

Georgia defines a small business as one which is independently owned and operated and must have either fewer than 300 employees or less than $30 million in gross receipts per year. Georgia does not have a Small Business Enterprise (SBE) designation or certification requirement. Companies may ‘self-report’ to designate themselves as a small business through the GA Department of Administrative Services (DOAS) through the Supplier Registration / Team Georgia Marketplace where you can select your organization’s classifications.

The only certification by the State of Georgia is for a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and that certification is performed by the GA Department of Transportation (GDOT). For purposes of minority or women-owned small business designation, the GDOT DBE certification application captures the required data used by DOAS.  However, firms must still also register directly with DOAS through Team Georgia Marketplace to be recognized as a designated minority small business entity; a process made simpler if you are already a certified DBE.

As you can see, certifying your company as a DBE through GDOT or as a minority designated firm through DOAS brings greater exposure of certified minority and small business companies to state and local procurement officials and private sector suppliers.