The basic concept of minority business development programs is to help MBE's get business. If a MBE wanted to do business with 50 major firms or government agencies, that MBE company might have to fill out 50 separate forms.  Some of these take 8 hours or more to fill out and gather the necessary paperwork. It is often easier for a MBE not to fill out the paperwork and be considered a non-MBE firm. 

Since the intent of MBE programs is to help MBE firms, paperwork reduction and time savings  should be a major goal.  It is waste of time and money for 50 MBE coordinators at their respective  companies or government agencies to gather, process, analyze and make recommendations  on the same company. 

How is the problem solved?  By using a resource used by over 3,000 major companies nationally,  i.e., using the 39 regional minority-purchasing councils as a central certification point. These 39 RMPC's use standard, documented, consistent procedures. 

State and local certifications all have differing criteria for MBE certification. Some do not require, while some have net worth or other limitations. There are a few that have different groups in their definitions, such as Hassidic Jews, Portuguese or Spain. DOT, SDB, Hub Zone and 8(a) certifications can include women or non-minority males in their definition of disadvantaged. NMSDC certification is consistent nationally. NMSDC certification can be a tremendous asset  in helping MBE firms expand their business by being in a national network of corporate purchasers.