Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) and Encouraging Diversity, Growth & Equity (EDGE) Flags

The State of Ohio's Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) program is designed to assist minority businesses in obtaining state government contracts through a set aside procurement program for goods and services. In order to be certified as a MBE, the business owner(s) must be a member of one or more of the following groups: Blacks, American Indians, Hispanics, and Asians.

EDGE certification is open to any Ohio-based small business that has been certified as socially and economically disadvantaged. EDGE applies to procurements of goods and services,professional services, information technology services,construction, architecture, and engineering.

The MBE Flag is set at the supplier master level to indicate if the supplier is a Minority Business Enterprise or an Encouraging Diversity,Growth, and Equity (EDGE) supplier.
If a voucher is referencing a PO which references a State Term Schedule (STS) or State Term Contract (STC), the MBE Flag from the contract is put on the voucher and cannot be changed.
If the voucher is not referencing a STS or STC and the supplier is both MBE and EDGE, the system will flag the voucher as "E" and can be changed to "M"if only MBE suppliers were solicited for the purchase.
If the voucher is not referencing a STS or STC and the supplier is only MBE, the system will flag the voucher as"N" and can be changed to "M"if only MBE suppliers were solicited for the purchase.
If the voucher is not referencing a STS or STC and the supplier is only EDGE, the system will flag the voucher as"E" and cannot be changed.
If the voucher is not referencing a STS or STC and the supplier is not MBE nor EDGE, the system will flag the voucher as "N" and cannot be changed.

Legal Reference

ORC 125.081

ORC 122.71