Supplier Business Classifications
FirstEnergy files an annual plan with the U.S. General Services Administration stating its goals regarding opportunities for, and expenditures with, small and diverse businesses. FirstEnergy uses the following U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) business definitions for classifying vendors in our vendor database:
Small Business
A business, including its affiliates, that is independently owned and operated, is not dominant in its field of operation, and meets the Small Business Size Standards matched to the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes.
Minority-Owned Business (MBE)
A MBE is a business, as defined by the SBA and/or National Minority Supplier Development Council, Inc., that is at least 51 percent owned by one or more minority U.S. citizens and its management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more such individuals. In the case of a publicly owned business, one or more such individuals must own at least 51 percent of the stock. The minority owner(s) must be a U.S. citizen whose origins are:
| Asian-Indian | From India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. |
| Asian-Pacific | From Japan, China, Taiwan, Korea, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, the Philippines, Samoa, Guam, the U.S. Trust Territories of the Pacific or the Northern Marianas. |
| Black | From any Black racial groups of Africa. |
| Hispanic | Of true-born Hispanic heritage, from any of the Spanish-speaking areas of Latin America or the following regions: Mexico, Central America, South America and the Caribbean Basin only. |
| Native American | American Indian, Eskimo, Aleut or Native Hawaiian, and regarded as such by the community of which the person claims to be a part. Native Americans must be documented members of a North American tribe, band or other organized group of native people who are indigenous to the continental United States and proof can be provided by a Native American Blood Degree Certificate (i.e. tribal registry letter, tribal roll register number). |
Woman-Owned Business (WBE)
A WBE is a business that is at least 51 percent owned by one or more women. In the case of a publicly owned business, at least 51 percent of the stock is owned by one or more women and its management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more such individuals.
Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB)
A SDB is a small business that meets the SBA's certification requirements and is at least 51 percent unconditionally owned by one or more individuals who are both socially and economically disadvantaged. In the case of a publicly owned business, at least 51 percent of the stock is unconditionally owned by one or more socially and economically disadvantaged individuals and its management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more such individuals as defined under 15 U.S.C. 637(b)(6) in Part 121 of Title 13 of the Code of Regulations.
Veteran-Owned Small Business (VET)
A VET is a small business that is at least 51 percent owned by one or more veterans. In the case of a publicly owned business, at least 51 percent of the stock is owned by one or more veterans and its management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more such individuals.
Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDV)
A SDV is a small business that is at least 51 percent owned by one or more service-disabled veterans. In the case of a publicly owned business, at least 51 percent of the stock is owned by one or more service-disabled veterans and its management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more such individuals. A service-disabled veteran is a veteran, as defined in 38 U.S.C. 101(2), with a disability that is service connected, as defined in 38 U.S.C. 101(16).
HUBZone Business
A HUBZone is a historically underutilized business zone, which is an area located within one or more qualified census tracts, qualified non-metropolitan counties, or lands within the external boundaries of an Indian reservation. The SBA (www.sba.gov/hubzone/) per FAR 52.219-1 maintains criteria for HUBZone concern designation.
8(a) Business
An 8(a) is a small business that is certified by the SBA to be responsible and competent to perform specific contracts either on a sole source or competitive basis. Participants in the 8(a) Business Program are required to be certified by the SBA and be eligible under the 8(a) Business Program.
Disability-Owned Business
A disability-owned business is at least 51 percent owned by a person or group of persons with a disability as recognized by the Americans with Disabilities Act or as defined by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Governor's Office, Management Directive 205.25 amended April 15, 1994. In the case of a publicly owned business, at least 51 percent of the stock is owned by one or more persons with disabilities and its management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more individuals with disabilities.
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning (LGBTQ)
A Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning business must be at least 51 percent owned by an LGBTQ person or persons who are either U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents. The business must also exercise independence from any non-LGBTQ business enterprise, have its principal place of business (headquarters) in the United States, and have been formed as a legal entity in the United States.
If you have not done so already, we strongly recommend you register as a small and diverse business - as defined by the federal Small Business Administration – on the System for Award Management (SAM), (formerly Central Contractor Registration (CCR). Only registered vendors can be included in our program reports to the U.S. government.