What Is Supplier Diversity Status?
Definition: Supplier diversity status refers to third-party certifications that verify a business's ownership or size characteristics, such as being a small business or being owned by women, minorities, veterans, people with disabilities, or LGBTQ+ individuals, or being located in a designated area. Certifications are issued by government agencies or recognized certifying organizations after reviewing the business's ownership, control, and eligibility.
Large corporations, government agencies, and prime contractors often run supplier diversity or small business programs that track spending with certified businesses. Some public contracts include participation goals or set-asides for certain certified firms, and many corporate buyers report how much they spend with diverse and small suppliers. For scaffold and access providers, holding a recognized certification can open doors to bid lists, subcontracting opportunities, and corporate supplier programs.
Each certification has its own certifying body and rules. Some are federal programs, such as SBA's HUBZone program and SBA's veteran small business certification. Others are issued by national organizations, such as NMSDC for minority-owned businesses, WBENC for women-owned businesses, NGLCC for LGBTQ+-owned businesses, and Disability:IN for disability-owned businesses, while many states, cities, and agencies run their own certification programs. Federal, state, and local rules for how these certifications are used in contracting have changed significantly in recent years and continue to evolve, so buyers and providers should confirm current requirements for each project. Through Scaffold Exchange, you can filter providers by the certifications they hold.
Common Supplier Diversity Certifications
Supplier diversity certifications fall into several groups based on what they verify.
Small Business (SBE)
Certification that a business meets small business size standards, issued by various state and local agencies.
HUBZone
An SBA program for small businesses located in, and employing residents of, designated Historically Underutilized Business Zones.
Minority & Women-Owned (MBE, WBE)
Certifications for businesses owned and controlled by minorities or women, issued by NMSDC, WBENC, and many state and local agencies.
Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned (SDVOSB)
Certification for small businesses owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans, issued through SBA.
Disability & LGBTQ+-Owned (DOBE, NGLCC)
Certifications for disability-owned businesses through Disability:IN and LGBTQ+-owned businesses through NGLCC.
Supplier Diversity Certifications on Scaffold Exchange
Scaffold Exchange lists the following supplier diversity certifications. Explore each one to learn more and find providers.
DOBE - Disability-Owned Business Enterprises
HUBZone - Historically Underutilized Business Zones
MBE - Minority Owned Business Enterprise
NGLCC - LGBTQ+-Owned Businesses
SBE - Small Business Enterprise
SDVOSB - Veteran-Owned Businesses
WBE - Women Owned Business Enterprise
When Supplier Diversity Status Matters
Supplier diversity certifications are commonly requested or tracked in situations such as the following.
Corporate supplier diversity programs
Federal small business set-asides
State and city contracting programs
Prime contractor subcontracting plans
Utility and energy company sourcing
University and hospital procurement
Veteran contracting opportunities
Bid lists and vendor registrations
How Supplier Diversity Status Relates to Other Qualifications
Supplier diversity status is one of several ways to evaluate providers on Scaffold Exchange. Here is how it relates.
Credentials and business attributes
- Certified builders and tagging programs
- Labor structure and insurance
- Memberships and sourcing
- Best for matching project requirements
Measured safety performance
- EMR and TRIR at or below 1.0
- OSHA and MSHA compliance history
- ANSI compliance
- Best for screening on safety performance
Ownership and size certifications
- SBE, HUBZone, and SDVOSB
- MBE, WBE, DOBE, and NGLCC
- Issued by agencies and certifying bodies
- Best for diversity and small business programs
Third-party contractor verification
- ISNetworld, Avetta, Highwire, and more
- Insurance, safety data, and programs
- Often record diversity status
- Best for meeting client registration rules
Search by market
- More than 30 industries
- Public and utility work often tracks status
- Providers with relevant experience
- Best when industry experience matters
Find Certified Scaffold Providers Near You
Use the Scaffold Exchange map to search by location, filter by certification, and connect directly with scaffold and access providers that hold the supplier diversity certifications your project tracks.
OSHA Compliance & Safety Standards
Supplier diversity certifications describe a company's ownership and size, not its safety performance, and OSHA requirements apply equally to every provider. Under 29 CFR 1926.20, construction employers must maintain safety programs with regular inspections by competent persons, and scaffold requirements under 1926.451 and training under 1926.454 apply on every job. Owners typically review safety records and certifications side by side during prequalification.
- Certification current and issued by a recognized body
- Certification accepted by the buyer or agency
- Written safety program in place
- Scaffold training for all crews
- Safety records available for review
- Current program rules confirmed for each project
1926.20
General Safety and Health Provisions — U.S. Construction Regulations
OSHA Interpretations & Rulings →