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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Minority-and Woman-Owned Business Enterprise Certification Program?
What is the Small Business Enterprise Certification Program?
How can these programs benefit my business?
What are the incentive programs for certified companies?
Who qualifies for certification as a Minority- or Woman-Owned Business Enterprise?
Who qualifies for certification as a Small Business Enterprise?
How do I apply for certification?
What happens after I apply?
How long is the certification valid?
How will I know about upcoming business opportunities with the County?
What is the Broward County Interlocal Agreement?
What is the Minority- and Woman-Owned BusinessEnterprise Certification Program?
The County’s Minority- and Woman-Owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE) Certification Program is an incentive program to ensure minority and woman-owned firms have an equal opportunity to participate in Broward County business opportunities. The certification process makes certain that the incentive programs are limited to businesses legitimately owned and controlled by local minorities or women. The M/WBE Certification Program was reinforced in 2004 in response to a disparity study that showed minority and woman-owned firms in Broward County were not receiving a proportionate share of County business.
M/WBE Contract Compliance Section
The M/WBE Contract Compliance Section monitors the use of Minority- and Woman-owned Business Enterprises (M/WBE) that serve as subcontractors for prime contractors on County construction contracts. The program conducts onsite compliance reviews of construction projects to ensure M/WBE utilization and participation. The program also mediates and resolves subcontractor issues and concerns on County construction projects.
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What is the Small Business Enterprise Certification Program?
The Small Business Enterprise (SBE) Certification Program certifies firms to participate in incentive programs (Sheltered Market/Reserved Contracts) available for small businesses and their owners located in Broward County who want to do business with Broward County. This program is the result of a 2001 Disparity Study that identified existing barriers for local small businesses in their attempts to do business with Broward. The Small Business Enterprise Certification program is administered in addition to the existing Minority- and Woman-Owned Business Enterprise Certification Program. The SBE Certification Program was introduced in 2004 to insure that small Broward businesses will receive a proportionate share of County business.
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How can these programs benefit my business?
If you are the minority, woman, or small business owner of a company that provides goods or services that Broward County purchases, then you may benefit from these programs. The incentive programs available for certified Minority- or Woman-Owned Business Enterprise (MBE/WBE) and Small Business Enterprise (SBE) firms include a subcontracting goals program for M/WBE's and a bid preference afforded to SBE providers of goods and general services. The names of firms that are granted MBE, WBE and/or SBE certification are available to all County and outside agency procurement personnel through an online directory located at http://www.broward.org/smallbusiness/directory.htm
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What are the incentive programs for certified companies?
Minority- and Woman-Owned Business Enterprise Incentive Programs
Subcontracting goals projects – If you are a certified MBE or WBE subcontractor, your firm may be used to meet MBE/WBE subcontracting goals on selected contracts awarded by the County. Prime contractors who bid on County-funded projects must make good faith efforts to find and contract with minority- and woman-owned firms to meet goals established by the County. A business directory of certified MBE and WBE firms is available on-line at https://bcegov3.broward.org/SmallBusiness/SBDirectory.aspx.
All contractors who obtain copies of bid specifications are referred to the M/WBE Certified Business Directory to assist in identifying eligible MBE or WBE firms. Note: A contractor may identify an M/WBE to meet their goals, which is not on the list. In that case the M/WBE identified must become certified prior to the contract award.
Small Business Enterprise Incentive Programs
Bid incentives for goods and general services providers – The County may reserve specific goods and general services contracts less than $250,000 for exclusive competition among certified Small Business Enterprise (SBE) firms.
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Who qualifies for certification as a Minority - or Woman - Owned Business Enterprise?
Businesses that meet the following five criteria qualify to apply for Minority- or Woman-Owned Business Enterprise certification:
Location
Businesses and their owner/ operator must be located in Broward County, Miami-Dade County or Palm Beach County.
Group Membership
Business owners that are citizens or permanent legal residents and are members of the following ethnic/gender groups:
- African-American males and females
- Native-American males and females
- Caucasian females
- Asian-American males and females
- Hispanic males and females
Operational Status
Firms and their qualifying owner/operators headquartered in the Tri-County are eligible for MBE or WBE certification. Business must be independently owned and operated by the applicant owner. Business must have a valid Broward County Occupational License.
Ownership/Control
Qualifying owner/operators with businesses headquartered in the Tri-County are eligible for MBE or WBE certification. Qualifying applicants must own at least 51 percent of the business. The Broward County, Miami-Dade County or Palm Beach County based owner(s) must have the day-to-day control of the firm and have experience and expertise in the firm’s primary area of operation. The applicant must hold a proportionate share of the business’ capital, assets, profits and losses commensurate with their ownership interest. The applicant owner(s) must control the day-to-day operations of the firm in the critical area(s) of operation. Administrative responsibilities alone are not sufficient to prove control. Stock ownership alone is not sufficient to prove control. The applicant owner(s) must have technical knowledge and expertise in the company’s major business field. The capital to start or acquire the business must have been supplied by the owner.
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Who qualifies for certification as a Small Business Enterprise?
Businesses that meet the following 3 criteria qualify to apply for Small Business Enterprise Certification:
Location
“Small Business Enterprise” or “SBE” is a business that has an occupational license, is located in, and doing business in Broward County. Each business must be an independently owned and operated business which employs twenty-five (25) or fewer permanent full time employees. The business must be established for a period of one year prior to submitting its application, and must serve a commercially useful function.
Group Membership
Business owners that are citizens or permanent legal residents. SBE applicant owners may be representative of all/any ethnic and gender groups.
Small Business Size
To qualify as a SBE, the gross receipts of the firm, when averaged over a three-year period, must not exceed gross income limitations for that category of business activity. Firms may not be categorized in Two (2) activities. Category determines the types of projects the firm may compete for. For instance: A Construction firm may not compete for a Commodities project. A Contractual firm may not compete for a Professional project.
Professional Services - Gross receipts of the firm, when averaged over a three-year period, must not exceed gross income limitations of $500,000 .
- Infrequent, technical, or unique functions performed by independent contractors whose occupation is the rendering of such services that require special licensing, educational degrees, and unusual, specialized expertise or training. While not limited to licentiates (individuals holding professional licenses), the services considered "professional" services include: accountants, appraisers, archaeologists, attorneys, management consultants, technology programmers/designers, energy systems consultant, architects and civil/ structural/environmental/mechanical engineers, physicians, lawyers, insurance/bonding, finance managers, medical doctors, performing artists, researchers, and real estate/appraisers
Commodities - Gross receipts of the firm, when averaged over a three-year period, must not exceed gross income limitations of $1,000,000.
- Types of commodities acquired may include; aggregates, barricades, computer hardware and software, electrical supplies, fencing, forms, fuel, hardware, heavy equipment, herbicides, janitorial supplies, kennels, laboratory equipment, law enforcement equipment, maintenance supplies, nuclear gauges, office supplies and furniture including computers, paint, reflective sheeting, roadway materials, safety products, survey instruments and supplies, tools, tolls equipment, uniforms, printing, food and beverage, building materials, automobile and automotive transport/services and supplies. Wholesale and retail distributors, signs, florists.
Contractual Services - Gross receipts of the firm, when averaged over a three-year period, must not exceed gross income limitations of $1,000,000.
- Contractual services are frequently performed / on-going services that are labor intensive and not a construction related service or a professional service such as hardware/software maintenance, janitorial, landscaping, medical, moving, printing, signage, art, interior design, pest control, records management, survey takers, program auditing, building maintenance, couriers, concessions, communications/call centers, training/testing, equipment maintenance, public outreach, researchers, security, fire / safety systems, investigative services, temporary help, training, video/production, advertising/marketing/public relations, court reporting, parking/traffic products and services.
Construction - Gross receipts of the firm, when averaged over a three-year period, must not exceed gross income limitations of $3,000,000.
- Includes all firms involved in the process of building, altering, repairing, improving, or demolishing any structure, building, or real property. Includes HVAC, painting, waterproofing, plastering, drywall, sheet metal, welding, underground utilities, plumbing, electrician, excavation, fencing, hauling, glass, asphalt, paving, carpenters, locksmith, ceiling /floor installation, concrete, roofing.
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How do I apply for certification?
Many minority and woman and small business applicants qualify for more than one certification: Minority /Women-owned and SBE certification programs. Only one application and associated supporting documentation is required to apply for one or two or all three certifications.
Click Here for Small Business Certification Application.
To apply for DBE certification a separate application is required. Click here to apply.
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What happens after I apply?
First-time applicants can expect to receive a final determination on their M/W/SBE certification application within two weeks. During this time, you may be contacted to supply additional information and/or documentation. In certain technical or highly specialized trade areas, a work site visit also may be necessary to determine the applicant’s expertise in the firm’s primary field of operation.
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How long is the certification valid?
The Broward County processed MBE/WBE and SBE certifications are valid for a period of 36 months. If you qualify for certification, you will receive a letter and certificate showing your firm's expiration date. It is the responsibility of the certified firm to maintain a valid certification. The County may send a notice approximately 45 days prior to the expiration date to notify you of the need to renew your certification. If the firm is certified by any other certifying entity, the certification is valid for whatever period of time such agency designates.
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How will I know about upcoming business opportunities with the County?
Visit http://www.broward.org/purchasing/bids/
Broward County Purchasing Division has implemented a system whereby registered vendors will receive ONLY email notification of current solicitations of interest. When a formal solicitation or addendum to a solicitation is prepared for a particular commodity or service valued over $30,000, all vendors registered for the commodity code(s) associated with the commodity/service will receive an e-mail. The e-mail will include the title and solicitation number and will provide a link which will direct the vendor to the County's current bid site on the Internet. Formal bids and Requests for Letters of Interest can be printed directly from the Internet site. Informal quotation requests are listed along with instructions for obtaining a copy of quotation requirements.
To update your vendor profile contact information at www.broward.org/purchasing. Click on the button labeled "Vendor Updates". You must enter your vendor number which was given to you at the time you became a registered Broward County Vendor. (Usually your firm’s Federal EIN or your social security number) You may then submit your e-mail address and other contact information via this electronic form.
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What is the Broward County Interlocal Certification Agreement?
The Broward County Board of County Commissioners, the School Board of Broward County, and the North Broward Hospital District have teamed up to make the process of becoming certified as Minority or Women-owned Business easier!
Under this agreement, Broward County Government will certify and approve those applications from firms and owners based in the Tri-County area which are approved by the School Board and the Hospital District. The Hospital District will certify all applications approved by the School Board and Broward County Government. The School Board will certify all applications from Broward County Government and the Hospital District, provided that they meet with the School Board’s size standards, and provided that the applicant firm submits their last three (3) years of Federal tax returns. Firms need not submit tax returns to either Broward County Government or the Hospital District in order to be considered for certification.
FYI: Broward County Government will certify and approve DBE designations which are approved by any DBE certifying agency in the USA provided proper documentation is submitted.
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