| Are you leaving money on the table? If you are a | | | | Development council called the New York City |
| business owner who is a woman or a member of | | | | Fast Track Certification |
| a minority and you have not become certified as | | | | As posted on their website, "The New York |
| a Minority or Women-Owned Business Enterprise | | | | & New Jersey Minority Supplier Development |
| (known as M/WBE), you may be missing out on | | | | Council, Inc. ("The Council") and the New York City |
| opportunities. | | | | Department of Small Business Services (SBS) are |
| Reasons to Become Certified | | | | now promoting "Fast Track certifications" that will |
| Why do you need certification? Well, maybe you | | | | enable Council-certified suppliers to increase their |
| don't. Certification lets others know that your | | | | contracting opportunities in the public sector. The |
| company is what you say it is-a minority and/or | | | | City and The Council signed a Memorandum of |
| women-owned business. Chances are your | | | | Understanding (MOU) in an effort to increase the |
| average customer is not going to ask you for | | | | certification of minority-owned businesses. Under |
| certification. Certification is required, however, | | | | the agreement, businesses certified by The |
| when you want to do business with companies or | | | | Council as a Minority-Owned Business Enterprise |
| government agencies that have supplier diversity | | | | (MBE) will receive expedited approval of their |
| programs and want to ensure a level playing field | | | | certification applications with the City... |
| for women, minority, or disabled-veteran owned | | | | Council-certified suppliers will have greater access |
| businesses. While you may not have considered | | | | to contracting opportunities, better preparation to |
| this as an avenue for your business, you will want | | | | compete for City contracts, and extra navigation |
| to be ready to seize an opportunity, should one | | | | in the public procurement process. " |
| arise. | | | | This partnership is great news for a small business |
| M/WBE Certification will also give you the ability to | | | | looking to expand its opportunities. Many such |
| expose your business to potential customers that | | | | opportunities exist, but be sure to ask the |
| you may not have considered nor had access to | | | | certifying agency where the certification will be |
| before. Many of the qualifying agencies create | | | | recognized and question the companies providing |
| meet-and-greet opportunities, directories and | | | | opportunities what certifications will be accepted. |
| notify you of upcoming opportunities. This alone | | | | Be sure to do this before making a commitment |
| makes the sacrifice of time and minimal fees, | | | | to become certified with any agency as many |
| when going through the certification process, well | | | | fees, if required, are not refundable. |
| worth it. | | | | Getting Help |
| Certification Requirements | | | | The process of applying for M/WBE Certification |
| In order to be eligible for certification, the basic | | | | may be daunting for some. It may require more |
| requirements are: | | | | focus and time than you are able to spare, but |
| " The business must be at least 51 percent | | | | don't give up. There is a tremendous amount of |
| owned, controlled and actively managed by | | | | assistance available for you on both a free or fee |
| minority group members (Native American, Black, | | | | basis. Each agency provides its own sources of |
| Hispanic, Asian- Indian, Asian-Pacific, Aleut, Eskimo, | | | | assistance. In New York City at the official |
| or Native Hawaiian) | | | | website, you can find applications, help documents, |
| " In business for at least one year | | | | email addresses and contact numbers for |
| How long is my certification valid? | | | | assistance. They also provide monthly training |
| Recertification practices, as well as fees, vary | | | | seminars where you can get help from trained |
| according to the certifying agency. For example, | | | | certification specialists for free. |
| the state of New Jersey requires recertification | | | | To get help and information on M/WBE |
| upon your one-year anniversary. However after | | | | certification in your locale, begin with your city and |
| that first recertification, your status is valid for | | | | state government. Check their websites or call |
| five years provided you submit your supporting | | | | for help. Your local libraries will be able to assist as |
| documentation by your anniversary date each | | | | well. The internet is a cornucopia of information. |
| year. | | | | Use any of the various search engines such as |
| Certifying Agencies | | | | Google ( and Yahoo ( Changing the word phrases |
| Choosing a certifying agency should depend upon | | | | as you search, i.e. minority certification, mbe |
| your type of business and the opportunities you | | | | agencies, or minority business opportunities, will pull |
| want to seek. Your city and state government | | | | up different results giving you a wider array of |
| offices have certification processes, help and | | | | information. |
| opportunities. There are a myriad of other | | | | There are also tremendous local organizations that |
| agencies as well such as the NY/NJ Supplier | | | | are ready and willing to give you assistance. Begin |
| Development Council (formerly known as the NY | | | | with the Small Business Administration and their |
| NJ Purchasing Council). As per their website, "The | | | | local arms known as SBDCs or Small Business |
| Council strives to expand business opportunities | | | | Development Centers, often times located within |
| for minority-owned suppliers by linking them with | | | | the city colleges ( Your local library is a |
| purchasers in the public and private sector. As an | | | | tremendous resource as well. |
| advocate for both its suppliers and corporate | | | | There are times when all you need is someone to |
| members, The Council fosters relationships | | | | pull you through the process. An executive, |
| between corporate decision makers and targeted | | | | administrative or virtual (remote) assistant can |
| minority suppliers." | | | | work wonders in this area, from researching the |
| Are All Certifications Recognized By All Agencies | | | | qualifying agencies and fees to helping you to |
| And Companies Seeking M/WBEs? | | | | complete each step of the application. Choose |
| With all these certifying agencies, you may want | | | | someone thorough and detailed because a |
| to know if all agencies and companies recognize all | | | | detained application can cost you time, money and |
| certifications. The short answer is not necessarily. | | | | missed opportunity. |
| You must check with the requesting agency or | | | | If you are qualified for certification and you don't |
| company. | | | | get this done you've left money on the table, |
| For example, in New York there is an agreement | | | | possibly thousands of dollars or more. Can you |
| between the NYC Department of Small Business | | | | afford not to become M/WBE Certified? |
| Services and The NY/NJ Minority Supplier | | | | |