Understanding the scoring rubric is essential for preparing a competitive nomination. The MBE-to-MBE Spend Award is evaluated on a 100-point scale across three categories.

The largest category—worth 80 points—is Documented MBE-to-MBE Spend. This evaluates your measurable spend over the previous two calendar years relative to your total revenue. Evaluators consider your total gross revenue, total MBE spend, the percentage of MBE spend, year-over-year trends, and the completeness of your documentation. To score in the top range of 72 to 80 points, you need exceptional spend with a high MBE percentage, a strong or increasing trend, and thorough documentation.

The second category—worth 15 points—is Depth and Quality of MBE Partnerships. This looks at the number of MBE partners, the amount spent with each, the longevity of your relationships, and the diversity and depth of your collaborations. Top scores of 13 to 15 points go to nominees with multiple strong partnerships and clear, sustained engagement.

The third category—worth 5 points—is Impact on Capacity Building and Economic Growth. This measures how your MBE engagement supports development, capability expansion, or economic uplift for other MBEs. Examples of mentorship, collaboration, job creation, and supplier development are key here.

In the event of a tie, the first tiebreaker is the highest total dollar amount of MBE spend, followed by the number of certified MBEs you conducted business with. This ensures that both depth and breadth of engagement are recognized.

The bottom line: document thoroughly, build lasting partnerships, and invest in the growth of fellow MBEs.

The MBE-to-MBE Spend Award is more than recognition. It is a call to action for every certified MBE to invest in our community’s collective success.

 For more information, please contact:

• Lisette Villavicencio, MBEIC Chair: lisette@va-contractor.com
• Eduardo Quijano, Performance & Administration Coordinator: equijano@prmsdc.org

NMBEIC.ORG

Prepared by the National MBE Input Committee (NMBEIC)

Beyond spend and partnerships, the MBE-to-MBE Spend Award recognizes firms that invest in the growth and development of other MBEs. Mentorship and capacity building are worth up to 5 points on the scoring rubric—and they represent the heart of what makes the MBE community strong.

Mentorship can take many forms. It might mean coaching an emerging MBE through the certification process, providing introductions to key contacts, sharing business advice based on your own experience, or helping a smaller firm build the operational capacity needed to compete for larger opportunities.

The evaluation looks for strong, specific examples of measurable impact. If you helped an MBE secure their first corporate contract, expanded their capabilities, or contributed to job creation within their business, those are the kinds of stories evaluators want to hear.

Active participation in your local NMSDC Affiliated Council also matters. Volunteering on committees, supporting Council events, and contributing to programs that benefit the MBE community all demonstrate a commitment to giving back—not just benefiting from certification.

When you lift up other MBEs, you strengthen the entire network. You build a more capable, more competitive supply chain that benefits corporate partners and minority-owned businesses alike. That is exactly the kind of leadership this award was designed to celebrate.

The MBE-to-MBE Spend Award is more than recognition. It is a call to action for every certified MBE to invest in our community’s collective success.

 For more information, please contact:

• Lisette Villavicencio, MBEIC Chair: lisette@va-contractor.com
• Eduardo Quijano, Performance & Administration Coordinator: equijano@prmsdc.org

NMBEIC.ORG

Prepared by the National MBE Input Committee (NMBEIC)

The MBE-to-MBE Spend Award does not just measure how much you spend—it also evaluates the depth and quality of your partnerships with other certified MBEs. This is worth up to 15 points on the scoring rubric, and it can set a strong nomination apart from the rest.

Evaluators look at several factors. How many MBE partners have you engaged? How much did you spend with each? How long have these partnerships been in place? Do your MBE partners represent diverse industries, capabilities, and backgrounds?

The strongest nominees demonstrate sustained, meaningful collaboration. A partnership that has lasted several years and involved multiple projects signals real trust and mutual value. Breadth matters too—working with MBEs across different sectors shows a commitment to strengthening the broader community, not just a single relationship.

Consider how you can deepen your existing MBE partnerships. Are there additional scopes of work you could direct to MBE partners? Could you invite an MBE firm to join a teaming arrangement for an upcoming bid? Even small, intentional steps can build stronger alliances over time.

The MBE-to-MBE Spend Award recognizes that true impact comes from relationships built on trust, collaboration, and shared growth. Invest in your partnerships, and the results will follow.

The MBE-to-MBE Spend Award is more than recognition. It is a call to action for every certified MBE to invest in our community’s collective success.

 For more information, please contact:

• Lisette Villavicencio, MBEIC Chair: lisette@va-contractor.com
• Eduardo Quijano, Performance & Administration Coordinator: equijano@prmsdc.org

NMBEIC.ORG

One of the most important parts of the MBE-to-MBE Spend Award nomination is documentation. Evaluators need clear, verifiable data to assess your commitment. Here is what you should prepare.

Start with the big picture. You will need to provide your total gross revenue and your total MBE-to-MBE spend for the previous two calendar years. The award uses a percentage-based evaluation—your MBE-to-MBE spend divided by your total revenue, multiplied by 100. This levels the playing field, so businesses of all sizes compete fairly based on proportional commitment rather than total dollars.

Next, prepare a detailed breakdown. For each certified MBE you did business with, list the company name, the amount spent, and the date the partnership began. This information demonstrates not just how much you spent, but the depth and longevity of your MBE relationships.

Keep your supporting documents organized. This might include purchase orders, contracts, invoices, or financial reports that verify your spend figures. Completeness and accuracy matter—the scoring rubric specifically rewards well-documented submissions.

A helpful tip: if you are not already tracking your MBE-to-MBE spend, now is the time to start. Create a simple tracking system that captures each MBE transaction as it happens. This makes future nominations much easier and also helps you identify opportunities to increase your MBE engagement throughout the year.

Strong documentation is the backbone of a winning nomination. Take the time to get it right.

The MBE-to-MBE Spend Award is more than recognition. It is a call to action for every certified MBE to invest in our community’s collective success.

 For more information, please contact:

• Lisette Villavicencio, MBEIC Chair: lisette@va-contractor.com
• Eduardo Quijano, Performance & Administration Coordinator: equijano@prmsdc.org

NMBEIC.ORG

Understanding the MBE-to-MBE Spend Award Requirements

Wondering if your firm qualifies for the MBE-to-MBE Spend Award? Here is a clear look at the eligibility requirements.

First, your company must be an active, NMSDC-certified MBE in good standing. This ensures that all nominees meet the national standards for certification and ethical business practices.

Second, you must demonstrate a consistent track record of purchasing products or services from other certified MBEs over the previous two calendar years. This is not about a single transaction—it is about sustained commitment. Evaluators want to see a pattern of intentional MBE engagement over time.

Third, you must have formed meaningful business partnerships with other certified MBEs. This can include alliances, teaming partnerships, subcontracting arrangements, joint ventures, or providing integrated or complementary services. The key is that these collaborations support the delivery of products or services to corporate or government clients.

Fourth, you must participate in and actively contribute to your local NMSDC Affiliated Council. This can include volunteering on committees, task forces, or Council-led events, as well as financially supporting Council programs and initiatives.

Fifth, you must demonstrate active mentorship of other MBEs—whether through coaching, introductions, business guidance, or support for capacity building and market access.

If your firm checks all five boxes, you are ready to prepare your nomination. Next week, we will cover exactly how to document and present your MBE-to-MBE spend.

The MBE-to-MBE Spend Award is more than recognition. It is a call to action for every certified MBE to invest in our community’s collective success.

 For more information, please contact:

• Lisette Villavicencio, MBEIC Chair: lisette@va-contractor.com
• Eduardo Quijano, Performance & Administration Coordinator: equijano@prmsdc.org

NMBEIC.ORG

A national execution pathway for entrepreneurs ready to prepare, position, and compete.

Capital Is Culture is a national readiness movement powered by a collective of mission-aligned leaders and organizations committed to helping underserved and under-resourced businesses compete, scale, and win.

Through execution-focused pathways, Capital Is Culture connects capital education, procurement intelligence, strategic relationships, operational discipline, AI adoption, and market positioning into one coordinated framework for business growth.

PREPARE

Strengthen financial, operational, and business-readiness foundations.

POSITION

Sharpen strategy, storytelling, capital access, and buyer-facing readiness.

PROSPER

Move toward contracts, funding pathways, and scalable growth with confidence.

Program Begins October 2026

Official start date and launch details will be shared closer to the start date.

ENROLL NOW

Enrollment link:
https://survey.nmsdc.org/zs/dMCKLN

For more information:
mbdacrp@nmsdc.org

Capital Is Culture

NMSDC Capital Readiness Program

NMSDC.ORG NMSDC HUB

Access the flyer in PDF

Steps to Recertify as an MBE

• Log into theNMSDC Hub.
• Select the“Recertify”option.
• Complete the application.
• Complete all required fields marked with an asterisk (*).
• Upload all required documents.
• Complete Certification Affidavit.
• Submit the Application Fee.
• Monitor your email and the NMSDC Hub for application updates/requests.
• Please respond promptly to any requests for more information by uploading the requested documentation and resubmitting the application.

Application fees are non-refundable. Recertification processing time may take up to 45 days. Applications with missing or invalid information may require additional processing time.

Helpful Things to Know

• MBE certification is valid forone yearand requires annual recertification prior to the expiration date. All currently certified MBEs must submit a recertification application every year regardless if business ownership or operations have changed.
• Failure to recertify on time may result in lapse or loss of certification, or the need to restart the certification process if certification has been expired for one year or longer.
• Timely submission supports continuous certification status and helps prevent processing delays or gaps in certification.

Need Assistance?

Technical Support:
thehubsupport@nmsdc.org

Certification Support:
certification@nmsdc.org

Phone:
212-944-2430

NMSDC.ORG NMSDC HUB

• Flyer in PDF format
• Flyer in PDF format (Spanish)

NMSDC® certification provides minority-owned businesses with increased visibility, credibility and access to a national network of corporations, enterprises and business leaders committed to competitive and inclusive supply chains.

MBE Eligibility Requirements

To qualify as a Minority Business Enterprise, a business must be:

• At least51% owned, managed and controlledby one or more minority individuals who are members of a recognized minority group.
• Afor-profit businesslocated in the United States or its territories.

A recognized minority group member for purposes of MBE certification is an individual who is a United States citizen and who identifies as:

• Asian Indian
• Asian Pacific
• Black or African American
• Hispanic or Latino
• Native American or Alaska Native
• Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander

Learn more about the NMSDC Certification process ›

How to Get Started

• Complete thePrequalificationform.
• You will receive an email with a link to log into theNMSDC Hub.
• Click“Apply for New Company”on the dashboard.
• Uploadrequired documents.
• Submit the application fee and complete the electronic signature.

Note that certification fees are non-refundable.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT

• Your application is reviewed by an NMSDC Certification Specialist.
• If additional information is required, you will receive a Request for Updates.
• A virtual site visit will be scheduled.
• A final determination will be issued.

Please allow up to45 daysfor processing. If additional or corrected information is required, processing time may be extended.

APPLY NOW

Need Assistance?

Technical Support:
thehubsupport@nmsdc.org

Certification Support:
certification@nmsdc.org

Phone:
212-944-2430

NMSDC.ORG NMSDC HUB

• Flyer in PDF format
• Flyer in PDF format (Spanish)

When certified MBEs choose to do business with other certified MBEs, the impact goes far beyond a single transaction. Every dollar spent within the MBE community circulates and multiplies, creating jobs, expanding capacity, and building a stronger supply chain for corporate partners.

Think about it this way: when you hire an MBE subcontractor, partner with an MBE vendor, or source materials from an MBE supplier, you are directly contributing to the growth of businesses that share your experience and your mission. You are building a network that benefits everyone.

Corporate members notice this too. Companies increasingly value Tier 2 supplier diversity, which means they want to see that their MBE partners are also engaging diverse suppliers. Demonstrating strong MBE-to-MBE spend can make your firm more competitive and more attractive to corporate buyers.

The MBE-to-MBE Spend Award exists to recognize and celebrate this intentional commitment. It validates what many of us already know: that investing in each other is not just good business—it is the foundation of a thriving MBE ecosystem.

Ask yourself: How much of your annual spend goes to fellow certified MBEs? If the answer surprises you, there is an opportunity waiting.

The MBE-to-MBE Spend Award is more than recognition. It is a call to action for every certified MBE to invest in our community’s collective success.

 For more information, please contact:

• Lisette Villavicencio, MBEIC Chair: lisette@va-contractor.com
• Eduardo Quijano, Performance & Administration Coordinator: equijano@prmsdc.org

NMBEIC.ORG

Celebrating MBEs Who Lift Each Other Up

The National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) has long been a catalyst for minority business growth. Now, the National MBE Input Committee (NMBEIC) is shining a spotlight on a powerful driver of that growth—MBEs doing business with other MBEs.

The MBE-to-MBE Spend Award recognizes certified Minority Business Enterprises that demonstrate an exceptional commitment to partnering with fellow certified MBEs. It honors firms that intentionally create business opportunities, form sustainable partnerships, and contribute to economic development within the minority business community.

This award sends a clear message: NMSDC certification is not only about pursuing opportunities with corporate partners. It is equally about building meaningful, revenue-generating relationships with fellow MBEs. When we buy from each other, we strengthen the entire ecosystem.

Over the coming weeks, this series will walk you through everything you need to know—from eligibility and documentation to scoring and submission. Whether you are considering a nomination or simply want to understand how this award works, stay tuned.

The MBE-to-MBE Spend Award is more than recognition. It is a call to action for every certified MBE to invest in our community’s collective success.

 For more information, please contact:

• Lisette Villavicencio, MBEIC Chair: lisette@va-contractor.com
• Eduardo Quijano, Performance & Administration Coordinator: equijano@prmsdc.org

NMBEIC.ORG