1. Business Certifications
Training

2. Agenda Definition and Benefits Qualifications
Federal Level Certifications
State & Local Level Certifications
Supporting Documentation
Application Submittal Process
Order Processing
Frequent Asked Questions
Conclusion

3. Definition
Certification = review process designed to ensure that a small business is actually owned, controlled, and operated by the applicants. Most certifications are granted for Minority or Women owned businesses, Small Disadvantaged Businesses, and Underutilized businesses. Certification agencies implement the processes for government and private sector entities and ensure that only firms that meet the eligibility criteria of the individual programs are properly certified.

4. Benefits Can help gain access to government contracts
Levels the playing field to compete and win
“Set aside” contracts designated to help small disadvantaged business
Listed in minority databases/directories
Access to mentoring, education, and capacity
development programs
Local and statewide government agencies are mandated to award certain percentages of contracts

5. Certification Qualification Something they have in common! 8a
WOSB / EDWOSB
HUB Zone
Veteran Registration
WBENC
NMSDC
MBE / WBE
DBE
51%

6. 8a Business Development Program
SBA – Small Business Administration Program
Designed to help small disadvantaged businesses compete through business development
Through sole-source contracts, businesses are given an opportunity t enter the government-contracting arena, and gain experience to compete in the full an open market
Nine (9) years program:
Four (4) years developmental stage
Five (5) years transition stage

7. SBA 8a
Small business owned and controlled by one or more socially and economically disadvantaged individuals
51% owned and controlled
Minority groups are presumed to qualify
Personal Net Worth < $250,000
Meet applicable size standards for small business in their industry
2 years of operations w/3 completed contracts or waiver

8. 8a Waiver Requirements Substantial business experience
Technical expertise to carry out business development objectives (licenses and certifications)
Adequate capital to sustain operations and carry out the business plan
Record of successful performance on contracts from government and nongovernment sources
Ability to timely obtain personnel, facilities and equipment to perform contracts

9. Socially Disadvantaged
Member of a racial/ethnic minority group
The 8 (a) program has the following social groups designated as socially disadvantaged:
Black African Americans
Hispanic Americans
Native Americans (American Indians, Eskimos, Aleuts, and Native Hawaiians
Asian Pacific Americans
Subcontinent Asian Americans

10. Economically Disadvantaged
Personal Net Worth Limit is $250,000 or less
Includes the following accounts:
Life Insurance
Stocks
Bonds
Asian Trusts
Subcontinent Asian Americans
Total assets must not exceed $4 million
Excludes IRA accounts and the value of primary home

11. SBA Form - 413

12. Ineligibility Issues Businesses ineligible for certification include:
Franchises
Nonprofit Organizations
Brokers & Packagers
Firms owned by other disadvantaged firms

13. Ineligibility Issues
As defined by the SBA, demonstrations of “lack of character” may include:
Past Criminal Records
Violations of SBA Regulations
Debarment or Suspension
Falsified Information

14. Overview of Women-Owned Small Business Program
The Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) program authorizes contracting officers to set aside certain federal contracts for eligible Companies.
Requires previous approval by a recognized third party agency
We use the WBENC
SBA is responsible for implementing and administering the program and the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council is responsible for implementing SBA’s program regulations in the FAR

15. Eligibility Requirements for WOSBs
Meet small business size standard for primary NAICS code and contract
At least 51% unconditionally and directly owned by women who are U.S. citizens*
The woman must manage the day-to-day operations
The woman must make the long-term decisions for the business
A woman must hold highest officer position
The woman must work at the business full-time during normal working hours
No minimum amount of time the business has been operational

16. WBENC Women’s Business Enterprise National Council
Comprised of 14 regional partner organizations with stringent standards and procedures in their certification programs
National recognition by thousands of major U.S. corporations & federal, state and local government entities
Female owner(s) must be a US Citizen or legal resident alien
Access to mentoring, education, and capacity development

17. NMSDC National Minority Supplier Diversity Council
Comprised of 24 regional affiliates organizations with stringent standards and procedures in their certification programs
committed to helping organizations solve the growing need for supplier diversity
Ownership must be at least 51% by minority U.S. Citizens
Access to mentoring, education, and capacity development

18. Veteran Registration
For Veterans Administration (VA) set aside contracts
Serves as a veteran registry for other agencies
Veteran owner has 51% control, manages company on strategic policy and on a day-t0-day basis
Veteran holds the highest officer position and is the highest compensated employee
Veteran has managerial experience
Submitted electronically & must upload docs

19. State & Local Certifying Agencies
Exist in the following levels
State
County
City
Local
Types:
MBE
WBE
M/WBE
SBE

20. Minority Owned Business (MBE)
Regardless of size
Owned and controlled by minority group members
US Citizens (Asian, Black, Hispanic, Native American) –some states will allow resident alien
At least 25% minimum blood as minority
Certification at local or regional level

21. How to Prove Minority Status
Birth Certificates
Surnames
Driver’s License
Passport
Tribal Card

22. Women Owned Business (WBE)
51% or more is women-owned, managed, and controlled
Business open for at least six months
Owner must be a US Citizen but some states will allow resident aliens
Show contribution capital and/or expertise by the women owner is real
Must be able to perform in the area of specialty without reliance or finances of another firm that is not owned by a woman

23. Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE)
Owned & controlled by one of more socially & economically disadvantaged person (minority or woman)
Economically disadvantaged (< $1.3 million PNW)
Minimum 51% ownership, control, and expertise of the individual(s)
Control of the daily management and operations
Certification at the local and regional level
State run and federally funded (administered by DOT)

24. Supporting Documents
Small business owners will be asked to provide a wide range of materials including:
Business & Personal Tax Returns
Licenses & Permits
Profit & Loss Statements
Business Insurance
Legal Formation Documents

25. Submittal Process
ID correct online or paper applications & complete forms
Assemble supporting documentation
Submit to certifying agency (mainly online)
Site visit (depending type of certification)
Provide additional information/documentation as required
Approval or Denial
Appeal if issues leading to denial can be refuted/mitigated
Renewal

26. Order Process Steps Order is placed, payment made, and terms signed
Client completes and submit initial questionnaire
Client register in SAM if they haven’t already - Fed
Client completes financial questionnaire(s)
Phone interview to review application and supporting documentation (if binder option is purchased)
Service consultant completes and send to client the application
Client reviews, signs, and submit documents to certifying agencies (paper or electronically)

27. Terms of Service - Highlights
Limited to application preparation
Thorough documents checklist provided
No approval guarantee
Not responsible for disqualification due to incomplete or wrong information provided
Application fees (if any) not included
Binder preparation option (addtl fee)
Includes review of supporting documents
Organized document binder with checklist
Letter review & response (addtl fee – 2hr blocks)

28. Conclusion
Business certification levels the playing field to compete and win contracts
“Set aside” contracts are designated to help small disadvantaged business
The process can be grueling
BizCentral can help in providing and submitting the right information