If you're a general contractor, property manager, or procurement officer, you've seen MBE/WBE requirements on bids and RFPs. Here's what those certifications actually mean, why they matter, and how Legacy Design Group uses them to win commercial work.
What MBE and WBE Mean
MBE stands for Minority Business Enterprise. WBE stands for Women's Business Enterprise. These are third-party certifications that verify a business is majority-owned, operated, and controlled by minority individuals or women. They're not self-declared — they require documentation, site visits, and annual renewal.
Why They Matter for Commercial Projects
Federal, state, and municipal contracts often require a percentage of work to go to certified diverse suppliers. In South Carolina, the state's goal is 10% diverse supplier participation. In Illinois, the City of Chicago requires 26% MBE and 6% WBE participation on city-funded projects. Corporate procurement programs at companies like BMW, Michelin, and major retailers have similar requirements.
What This Means for GCs
If you're a general contractor bidding a government project, having a certified MBE/WBE subcontractor on your team strengthens your bid. You meet diversity requirements without adding risk — because Legacy Design Group is a legitimate construction company with the crews, equipment, and insurance to do the work. We're not a certification on paper. We build things.
What This Means for Property Managers
If you manage commercial properties for institutional owners, REITs, or corporate tenants, you may have vendor diversity requirements in your management agreements. Using a certified MBE/WBE for roofing, restoration, and build-out work checks that box with a contractor who actually delivers.
Our Capabilities
Legacy Design Group provides commercial roofing (flat, TPO, EPDM, metal), tenant build-outs, storm damage restoration, and exterior restoration. We serve the Greenville, SC metro and Chicago, IL metro. For multi-site programs, we can mobilize nationally. We provide complete capability statements, insurance certificates, W-9s, and NAICS codes for any bid or RFP.
Get Our Capability Statement
If you're putting together a bid or need a certified MBE/WBE subcontractor, contact us. We'll send our current capability statement and prequalification package within 24 hours.
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