It is the policy of the Commonwealth of Virginia to contribute to the establishment, preservation, and strengthening of small businesses and businesses owned by women and minorities and to encourage their participation in state procurement activities.

VITA encourages Small, Women and Minority-Owned Businesses (SWaM) businesses to participate in the state's information technology (IT) procurement activities. This page provides resources intended to assist SWaM businesses interested in participating in Commonwealth IT procurement activities potentially leading to a contract award.

Read the latest SWaM news.

View SWaM events.

Doing Business with VITA

Before a business can participate in VITA's IT procurement activities as a SWaM certified business, it must:

1. Obtain certification as a SWaM business from the Department of Minority Business Enterprise (DMBE).
   For information regarding the Commonwealth of Virginia's Small Business and/or Minority and Woman Business Certification Programs, including applications for certification and re-certification, visit the Virginia Department of Minority Business Enterprise at http://www.dmbe.virginia.gov/swamcert.html.
2. Register with eVA as a vendor.
   eVA is Virginia's online procurement initiative. Current and potential suppliers of IT products and services to the Commonwealth of Virginia must register with eVA, at www.eva.virginia.gov. (Instructions for how to register with eVA.)

Once a business has completed the two steps above, it is ready to participate in IT procurement opportunities as a SWaM certified business. For a listing of current solicitations and award notices, please use eVA. (Also see Instructions for how to navigate solicitation and award notices.) All ordering and formalized solicitations are directed through this portal.

Business Development Assistance

For assistance with becoming a SWaM vendor and participating in IT procurement opportunities, please contact VITA's Supplier Outreach Specialist Beverley Coleman at (804) 416-6086 or swam@vita.virginia.gov. She can help SWaM businesses with:

• Completing the DMBE certification application
• Understanding the eVA registration form
• Preparing an eVA catalog
• Business and financial plan development
• Identification of financial resources

For more resources regarding owning a business in Virginia, please see the Virginia.gov portal's "business.virginia.gov" resource section.

IRS e-Newsletter for Small Businesses

The IRS has started a news service, e-News for Small Business. Distributed every Wednesday, it brings timely, useful tax information right to your computer, including, but not limited to:

• Important, upcoming tax dates
• What's new on the IRS Web site
• Reminders and tips to assist businesses with tax compliance
• IRS news releases and special IRS announcements

To start your FREE subscription to e-News, just go to IRS.gov, type in your e-mail address and submit.

Contact Information

Beverley Coleman, Supplier Diversity Program Manager
Finance and Administration
VITA
(804) 416-6086 or swam@vita.virginia.gov