CERT Collaborative Web-Based Certification and Vendor Outreach System University of Minnesota Office for Business & Community Economic Development

What is the CERT Program? 1.Started in 1999 as a multi-government collaborative 2.Current members are the City of Saint Paul, Ramsey County and Hennepin County 3.“One-stop shop” for certification 4.Centralized certification process for three government small business programs

CERT Capabilities 1.Database includes over 1900 Small, Minority and Woman- owned businesses 2.Able to search for certified businesses based on multiple criteria such as: 1.Industry4. NAICS 2.MBE/WBE/SBE5. Ethnicity 3.Zip code6. Gender 3.The CERT database is currently the largest in the state

CERT Outreach Partners 1.Construction Partnership Program 2.Association of Women Contractors 3.Midwest Minority Supplier Development Council 4.Women’s Business Development Center 5.National Association of Minority Contractors

How CERT Can Benefit Your Outreach 1.Provides access to small, minority-owned and woman-owned business enterprises 2.Provides access to contractors 3.Can assist contractors in meeting goals 4.Aid the Urban Research and Outreach-Engagement Center with outreach and capacity building events through assisting in marketing 5.May be used by contractors to document good faith efforts to attain MBE/WBE/SBE inclusion.

Certification Categories 1.Small Business Enterprise (SBE) 2.Minority-owned Business Enterprise (MBE) 3.Woman-owned Business Enterprise (WBE)

Eligibility Criteria Small Business Enterprise 1.Independent operation 2.For profit 3.Annual revenues below Minnesota Department of Administration Size Limits

Eligibility Criteria Small Business Enterprise  Must Be Located in 15 County Marketplace

Eligibility Criteria Minority-owned Business Enterprise 1.Small Business Enterprise 2.At least 51% owned by minorities 3.Day-to-day operational control

Eligibility Criteria Woman-owned Business Enterprise 1.Small Business Enterprise 2.At least 51% owned by women 3.Day-to-day operational control

CERT Outreach Impact For the City of Saint Paul 1.The CERT Program provides opportunities for small, minority-owned and woman-owned businesses. 2.In 2012, 37.34% or $47.9 million dollars awarded to CERT businesses

2012 VOP Results Business Opportunity Total$128,270,726 Total VOP$47,902, % MBE$7,647, % WBE$19,668, % SBE*$20,586, %

CERT Opportunities 1.Achieve Supplier Chain Diversity Goals 2.Support growth of MBE/WBE/SBE in community 3.Local business support = local economic impact 4.Provides an opportunity for demonstration of good faith efforts for MBE/WBE/SBE business inclusion

CERT DEMONSTRATION 1.To access the searchable CERT database, log in at 2.Your address will be your username

Searching for Certified Vendors 1.From the Data Dashboard page select “Search” from the tool bar on the left. 2.From the drop down menu select “Certified Vendors” 3.On the next page set your search parameters and select “Search All Matches” at the top of the page.

Exporting Search Results 1.At the bottom of the search results page, select “Export” 2.On the next page, select the desired “Vendor Fields” and “Certification Fields” you want displayed 3.Scroll to the bottom of the page and select “Export Records”

Reporting Capabilities The system allows users to run a number of different reports. For example: 1.Ethnicity & Gender Summary 2.Certification types 3.Non-certified contractors on projects 4.Certified Firms With Awards and Payments

Accessing Various Reports 1.Log in at 2.On the left hand side of the screen, click “Reporting” 3.From the “Reporting” drop down menu select “Full List”. There you will find a complete list of the system’s available reports

Sample Report

QUESTIONS For additional information and demonstrations, please contact: Tisidra Jones Vendor Outreach Coordinator