Certification and Registration of Minorities, Veterans and Small Business

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1 Southern Ohio Chapters Brief #2.05 Latest Revision: 08/2011 Certification and Registration of Minorities, Veterans and Small Business There are many forms of registration and certification. Your first step should be to check with the organization you want to work with to see what they require and what advantage if any you would enjoy if you qualify. Why register or become certified? To qualify for some government programs at the National, State and Local level Certification as a woman business enterprise -- and as a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), for firms that qualify for both designations may open doors to lucrative government contracts for women business owners. Many large corporations are requiring suppliers and consultants to be certified. The educational and networking forums offered to WBEs and MBEs can be extremely valuable to development and growth of your business. WBE: See Brief 2.07 MBE Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Unit The Unit has the responsibility for implementing the State of Ohio's minority business set-aside program pursuant to Ohio Revised Code (ORC) This includes certifying minority businesses as such under ORC thereby making them eligible to participate in the state's set aside program, as well as assisting state agencies with the selection of set aside contracts, maintaining a list of certified minority business enterprises, monitoring program compliance, and conducting research & reporting. 15% of the state s annual purchases must come from MBE companies. For information about this program, see this link Central Contractor Registration (CCR) To do business with the Federal government and to be certified under the 8(a) Program, you must register in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) database. This is done 2013 SCORE Ohio, Brief Number 02.05, Revised 08/ of 5

2 through the System for Award Management (SAM): For a new registration, click on Create an Account in the upper right corner. New 8(a) Business Development Regulations have been issued. The 8(a) Business Development Program is an important resource for small businesses seeking business-development assistance. Named for Section 8(a) of the Small Business Act, this program was created to help small and disadvantaged businesses compete in the marketplace. It also helps these companies gain access to federal and private procurement markets. What is the Purpose of the 8(a) Business Development Program? The focus of the program is to provide business development support including: Mentoring Procurement assistance Business counseling Training Financial assistance Surety bonding Other management and technical assistance For more information on the program and its requirements, visit 13 CFR 124 (8(a) Business Development/Small Disadvantaged Business Status Determinations) as well as the 8(a) Business Development page to learn about benefits, eligibility standards, and goals of the 8(a) Business Development Program. Application Process We recommend that you submit your application or the 8(a) Business Development Program electronically, but if you use paper, see the following guidelines. Paper-Based Applications You may also submit a paper application for 8(a) Program certification. A paper application may be obtained by means of a written request to your local Small Business Administration District Office. This method requires considerably more time to process. Please complete the paper application in its entirety and return it to the address shown below: Mail to the following address, if your firm is located in one of the states below: US Small Business Administration DPCE Central Office Duty Station Parkview Towers 1150 First Avenue Mail to the following address, if your firm is located in one of the states below: Small Business Administration Division of Program Certification and Eligibility 455 Market Street, 6th Floor San Francisco, CA SCORE Ohio, Brief Number 02.05, Revised 08/ of 5

3 10th Floor, Suite 1001 King of Prussia, PA MA, ME, NH, CT, VT, RI, NY, PR (Puerto Rico), VI (US Virgin Islands), NJ, PA, MD, VA, WV, DC, DE, GA, AL,NC, SC, MS, FL, KY, TN IL, OH, MI, IN, MN, WI, TX, NM, AR, LA, OK, MO, IA, NE, KS, CO, WY, ND, MT, UT, SD, CA, HI, GU (Guam), NV, AZ, WA, AK, ID, OR Upon receipt of your completed paper application, the data it contains will be retyped in the electronic system, printed, and sent back to you for verification. If any errors are found, you must return the application to the SBA with the corrections clearly noted. The new information will be entered into the online application, and another paper copy will be sent to you for verification. This process will be repeated until the application contains no errors. At that time, please sign the application and return it to the SBA for processing in the regular ninety-day window. To avoid these delays we recommend that you submit your application electronically. SBA Small Disadvantaged Business Certification (SDB) Why did the SBA suspend the receipt of applications for the SDB program? On December 9, 2004, statutory authority to use the SDB price evaluation adjustment ended for the majority of federal procuring agencies. Authority to use the adjustments was still permitted to three agencies, the Department of Defense, NASA, and the Coast Guard, which used it under separate authority running through This change occurred as most agencies were meeting their SDB goals with out the certification. Without the SDB price evaluation adjustment for prime contracts, there is no direct benefit to the SDB firm, and the SDB designation is only used for statistical purposes to determine government-wide SDB goal achievement process. Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) The Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HUBZone) program helps small businesses in urban and rural communities gain preferential access to federal procurement opportunities. These preferences go to small businesses that obtain HUBZone certification in part by employing staff who live in a HUBZone. The company must also maintain a "principal office" in one of these specially designated areas. Apply online at DBE Certification (US Dept of Transportation) 2013 SCORE Ohio, Brief Number 02.05, Revised 08/ of 5

4 Ownership - Your business must be 51% owned by a socially and economically disadvantaged individual(s). Disadvantaged - You may be eligible if you are a member of a group of persons the Department considers as disadvantaged. Independence - The business must not be tied to another firm in such a way as to compromise its independence and control. Business Size Determination - A firm (including its affiliates) must be a small business as defined by SBA standards. Personal Net Worth - Only disadvantaged persons having a personal net worth (PNW) of less than $750,000 can be considered as a potential qualified DBE. Items excluded from a person's net worth calculation include an individual's ownership interest in the applicant firm, and his or her equity in their primary residence. Socially Disadvantaged See Appendix E to 49 CFR Part 26 Apply online at E.D.G.E. Certification Encouraging Diversity, Growth & Equity The State of Ohio is committed to making all state contracts, services, benefits and opportunities available to businesses without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age or ancestry. The program is designed to facilitate access to state government contracts and business services for EDGE certified businesses. The EDGE program establishes goals for state agencies in awarding contracts to certified EDGE businesses. EDGE procurement contracts apply to: goods and services, professional services, information technology services, construction, architecture and engineering. EDGE Certification Application EDGE Business List Here are some of the basic guidelines of the programs: 1) Is your company a "for profit" business? 2) Has your company been in business for at least one year? 3) Is your company owned and controlled by a minority (MBE) or a person of social disadvantage 4) Does that person own 51% of the company? 2013 SCORE Ohio, Brief Number 02.05, Revised 08/ of 5

5 5) Is that person an Ohio resident and U.S. citizen? 6) Does that person have a personal net worth of less than $250,000? (Applicable to EDGE only) Socially Disadvantaged = individuals who have been subject to societal prejudice or cultural bias due to their membership in a particular group (race, ethnic origin, gender, physical disability or long-term residence in an environment isolated from mainstream society. A percentage of all state purchases must be spent with EDGE companies. Apply online at Veterans Veterans may qualify for a Patriot Express loan: There may be work set-aside by some federal agencies Veteran Owned Small Business (VOB) At least 51% owned and operated by Veterans (DD214 as proof of service). Veteran = served in any branch of the US military for 90 consecutive days of active duty during a war time period Register your business online at Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) At least 51% owned and operated by Service Disabled Veterans. Service Disabled Veteran status must be verified by the VA. Apply for SDV status with your local VA office. Go to then click on Find a Facility 2013 SCORE Ohio, Brief Number 02.05, Revised 08/ of 5