McNear Agency Services Achieves SWaM Certification, Unlocking New Doors in Virginia's Government Marketplace
The Woodbridge-based professional services firm led by CEO Elijah McNear has earned official Small, Women- and Minority-owned Business certification from the Commonwealth of Virginia — a milestone that positions the company for accelerated growth in state and federal contracting.
Staff Report | April 21, 2026
WOODBRIDGE, Va. — McNear Agency Services™, LLC, the Northern Virginia-based professional services and government contracting firm founded by entrepreneur Elijah McNear, has officially achieved SWaM certification from the Commonwealth of Virginia's Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity (SBSD). The designation — which stands for Small, Women- and Minority-owned Business — marks a significant milestone in the company's trajectory and formally opens the door to a broad range of procurement preferences, set-aside opportunities, and supplier diversity initiatives across Virginia's $5 billion-plus government contracting marketplace.
The certification, issued by the SBSD under Virginia's SWaM Procurement Initiative, recognizes McNear Agency Services as a verified small and minority-owned enterprise that meets the Commonwealth's rigorous standards for independent ownership, operational control, and business size. For a company that has rapidly distinguished itself in facility operations, administrative support, security services, marketing, and logistics, the SWaM designation is not merely a credential — it is a competitive instrument.
About SWaM Certification
SWaM — Small, Women- and Minority-owned Business — is a certification administered by the Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity (SBSD). It requires businesses to be at least 51% independently owned and controlled by U.S. citizens, with 250 or fewer employees or average annual gross receipts of $10 million or less. Certified firms gain preferred purchasing status with state agencies, inclusion in the Commonwealth's eVA vendor database, and eligibility for SWaM set-aside contracts. The certification is valid for three years and currently accounts for over 20% of total procurement spend by the Commonwealth of Virginia — over $1 billion annually in combined prime and subcontractor awards.
What the Certification Means
SWaM certification is among the most strategically valuable designations a small business can hold in Virginia. Certified firms are listed in the Commonwealth's eVA procurement platform, giving state agencies and departments direct, searchable access to their services when fulfilling procurement requirements. Virginia law requires state agencies to set annual SWaM spending goals, meaning that certified vendors like McNear Agency Services are not simply listed — they are actively sought.
For McNear Agency Services, whose service portfolio spans custodial and facility operations, security guard and patrol services, grounds maintenance, administrative staffing, logistics support, and full-service marketing, the SWaM certification creates a direct pathway to contracts that are specifically structured for businesses of its size and ownership profile. It also strengthens the company's position in competitive bids alongside larger primes, where SWaM-certified subcontractors are increasingly required to satisfy diversity spend targets.
A Company Built for This Moment
McNear Agency Services did not arrive at this certification unprepared. The firm already holds full SAM (System for Award Management) registration, a verified CAGE Code, and a Unique Entity Identifier — the foundational credentials required for federal procurement readiness. It operates across 15 active NAICS classifications, reflecting genuine multi-disciplinary capability across management consulting, security services, janitorial operations, landscaping, and more. The firm is fully PWS compliant, OSHA compliant, licensed, and insured across all service lines.
The company also holds certification under Virginia's Virginia Values Veterans (V3) program, a designation from the Commonwealth's Department of Veterans Services that recognizes companies committed to recruiting, retaining, and supporting military veterans in the workforce — adding another layer of distinction in the government contracting space.
Together, these credentials paint the picture of a firm that has been methodically building its compliance and certification infrastructure to compete at the highest levels of public procurement. The SWaM certification is the latest — and among the most consequential — additions to that stack.
"We fulfill the necessities of the US government and support the general administrative functions of a wide variety of units. We aim to give the best top-notch service to our customers by using our experiences for their success." — Elijah McNear, CEO, McNear Agency Services™
