Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Certification
As one of the 39 regional affiliates of the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC), SCOMSDC is required to have a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) certification process. MBE certification is an intensive, qualifying process that assures corporate member purchasing agents and buyers that a business is a viable minority-owned, managed and controlled enterprise. Corporate membership is voluntary and demonstrates the initiative of the private sector concerning minority business opportunities. Certification as an MBE is also voluntary and demonstrates the initiative of minority owned firms concerning growth and development of their businesses. There are over 150 corporate members and over 500 certified MBEs in the SCOMSDC network.
An increasing number of corporations recognize the value of minority supplier certification, and often require it, because they want to insure that procurement opportunities are truly focused and targeted to bona-fide MBEs. Certification is one of the validating tools that they use to support their reported MBE expenditures. Certification as an MBE is not mandatory, but it makes good business sense to be qualified as a part of the pool of MBE suppliers.
Application Forms
- MBE NEW Certification Application (PDF)
- MBE Recertification Application (PDF)
NOTE: This form is for CURRENT MBEs ONLY!
If your certification has expired, you must complete the New Certification Application.
- MBE Reciprocal Application (PDF)
ALL Reciprocals (New and Recertifying) use this form.
Must already be certified by the NMSDC affilitate where company is headquartered.
Applicant Criteria
Under the national standardized guidelines for MBE certification, as established by the NMSDC, the following criteria are used to determine minority ownership and control:
- The entity must be a profit enterprise, physically located in the United States or its trust territories.
- The organization must be able to demonstrate that the majority (51%) of the ownership, operational control and managerial control is held by minority group members (Minority group members are U.S. citizens who are African-American, Hispanic American, Native American, Asian Pacific American and Asian Indian American.)
- The organization must be legally formed as a sole proprietorship, partnership or corporation.
- The organization must be independent of any non-minority firm.
Once certified as an MBE, your company will begin to receive assistance in marketing efforts as you attempt to make contact with majority corporate purchasing agents and buyers. Certification also protects an MBE from accusations, such as being a "front" for a non-minority owned business thereby eliminating non-minority organizations from participating in programs established for MBEs. In addition, MBE certification affords the minority company the opportunity to join the network of our premier corporate members.
Certification Process
Step 1: Application – Complete and submit to SCOMSDC with all of the required documentation
Step 2: Initial Review – to determine if file is complete. The initial review process will be completed within 15 days of receipt at the council. If complete, application is proceed to next step if anything is missing a letter is sent requesting missing material. Once the application is found to be complete the 90 day completion window begins.
Application held until information received (no longer than 90 days)
Step 3: Desk Audit – Review of entire application and all supporting documentation plus reference checks for potential “red flags”. If no “Red Flags” identified then application proceeds to the next step. If “Red Flags Identified” it is noted and forwarded to next step
Step 4: Site Visit Preparation - file reviewed in preparation of site visit. If “red flags” were identified, it is determined whether or not they would cause a denial regardless of what was found during the site visit. If so, a denial letter is prepared for signature.
Step 5: Site Visit – Personal visit to business to meet with principals and review certain documents to verify ownership, management and control functions. A report of the site visit is prepared and added to the file.
Step 6: Certification Committee – committee meets to review file and make its determination. Recommendations are reported to the Board of Directors for action. Approval, tabled or denial letters are prepared for signature.
Step 7: Board of Directors – vote on final approval to upheld or overturn the certification committee recommendations
Step 8: Notification – applicants will receive a written notification of their status within one week. Applicants can contact the SCOMSDC office the next business day after the committee meets in to receive a verbal indication of their status.
Note: The above process will take up to 90 days. The 90 day window begins on the day that the application is been deemed to be complete.
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Testimony
"Active participation in SCOMSDC remains a core component of our business strategy for growing our business. During the past ten years, SCOMSDC has provided us with invaluable educational and networking resources to compete for business opportunities with major corporations and government agencies. As we became more engaged and active in SCOMSDC, more opportunities were afforded to us by SCOMSDC members."
