Small Business Certifications &
Government Contracting
Operated by the
2401 E. Missouri
El Paso, TX 79903
Phone: 915-351-6232
Agenda
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Introduction
Certifications, what are they & why do you want them?
Target your Market (Corporate, State, or Federal)
Recommendations before you start any Certification application
process
Small Business Certifications, helping you which one to choose.
Where to Register & Why?
Marketing your Firm
Capability Statement
Recap
Q&A
Small Business Certifications,
what are they?
Small business certifications are procurement
tools that give 1) economically disadvantaged,
2) minority and 3) women owned businesses
an edge in the bidding process!
An evaluation process gives formal recognition
that the business is owned and operated by a
qualifying person.
Why would you need a certification?
• Small business certifications can help you open
doors of “new opportunities” beneficial for your
business.
• To better position yourself to work within the
private sector, state, and federal government.
• Valuable tool for marketing your small business.
• Every federal agency must spend at least 23% of
their purchasing budget on small business
certified categories.
Target your Market
• Focus on your market
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Who will buy your product?
Who is your competition?
What do they do different?
Maintain your cool.
Helpful Tips
Before you start any Government Small Business
certification process, make sure you have the
following in place:
Tax Identification Numbers (TIN)
A Tax Identification Number (TIN) is an
identification number assigned by the IRS for tax
purposes. An Employer Identification Number
(EIN) is a tax payer ID number.
For more information visit
http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/international/article/0,,id=96
696,00.html
Data Universal Numbering System
(DUNS)
• DUNS is a unique nine-character number that identifies
your organization.
• Number used to identify businesses and a tool of the
Federal Government to track how federal money is
distributed.
• A DUNS number is necessary in order to be eligible to do
business with the US Federal Government and other
Corporations.
• Marketing strategy (Free!)
For more information visit
https://iupdate.dnb.com/iUpdate/webformHome.htm
North American Industrial
Classification System (NAICS)
• The North American Industry Classification
System (NAICS) is used by Federal statistical
agencies to classify business establishments for
statistical purposes related to the U.S. business
economy.
For more information visit http://www.census.gov/eos/www/naics/
CAGE Code
• CAGE Codes are assigned once you register your
business in the Central Contractor Registration
(CCR).
For more information visit https://www.bpn.gov/ccr/
Sam Registration
• Register in the System for Award Management
(SAM). http://www.sam.gov
• SAM includes the capabilities of Central
Contractor Registration (CCR)/Federal Agency
Registration (FedReg), Online Representations
and Certifications Application (ORCA), and the
Excluded Parties List System (EPLS). This
process can take up to two weeks.
General Login System
• The process then requires obtaining a General
Login System login. It’s simple to register
for an account.
https://eweb.sba.gov/gls/dsp_addcustomer.cfm
?imappsystypnm=8ASDB
• GLS provides a single log-in point for all services
of the SBA.
• Complete and submit a completed electronic
application, following the step-by-step directions
provided by the system.
Small Business Certifications
If Your Market Is…
Corporate America
If Your Market Is…
State Government
(Delphi, Dell, Johnson (School Districts, hospitals, any
Controls, Walmart, etc)
state entity)
If Your Market Is…
Federal Government
(Fort Bliss, and other federal
agencies)
- Minority Business
Enterprise (MBE)
- State HUB (Historically
Underutilized Business)
- 8a
- Women Business
Enterprise (WBE)
- Disadvantaged Business
Enterprise (DBE)
- Federal HUBZone
- Small Disadvantaged
Business (SDB)
- Women Owned Small
Business (WOSB) *
- Service Disabled Veteran
Owned Small Business
8(a) & SDB
SBA 8(a) program
SDB certification program
• Most Preferred Certification by
procurement officials.
• Must be certified by the SBA,
through an application process.
• 9-year term - no renewals
• All 8(a) firms are considered
Small Disadvantaged
Businesses
• Personal net worth of owners is
limited to $250,000 each, once
admitted into the program, can
be $750,000.
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Must be certified by SBA
3-year term with renewals
Not all SDBs are in 8(a) program
Personal net worth of owners has a
threshold of $750,000.
HUBZone Program
•Must be certified by SBA;
•Annual renewal required after initial approval, you
will be considered a HubZone as long as you
continue to meet the requirements;
•Competitive and sole-source benefits;
•Principal office must be in a HUBZone;
•35% of employees must live in a HUBZone (includes
the owner)
Service Disabled Veteran
Owned Small Businesses
As a registered business you will
receive:
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Priority contracting opportunities under
VA's Veterans First Buying Authority.
Special consideration for federal
contracting opportunities from prime
contractors and federal government
agencies.
Notices of contracting opportunities.
Information and news affecting VeteranOwned and Service-Disabled
businesses.
Qualifications:
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Veteran: Individual who served on active
duty with the Army, AF, Navy, Marines or
Coast Guard.
Veteran-owned Business: 51%
ownership no less by one or more
veterans.
Service Disabled Veteran: Disability
rating letter issued by DVA.
SDVOB: 51% ownership no less by one
or more service-disabled veterans.
• VA determines Service Disability (VA Form 0877) – for Veteran Business Status
Verification Instructions visit: http://www.va.gov/OSDBU/veteran/verification.asp
• Verify if you qualify as a SDVOSB then register at http://www.vip.vetbiz.gov/
Women Owned Small Business
& EDWOSB
WOSB
(self certified)
EDWOSB
(SBA approved 3rd party
certifier)
• 51% owned by one or more women
• 51% owned by one or more women
who are “economically
disadvantaged”
• United States citizens
• Hold the highest officer position,
FT
• Eligible NAICS code list
• United States citizens
• Personal net worth < $750K, ADJ
GI 3 yrs <$350K
• Assets <$6M
• Eligible NAICS code list
Now What? Register…. Where??
• Central Contractor Registration - Primary registrant database
for the U.S. Federal Government. CCR collects, validates, stores and
disseminates data in support of agency acquisition missions. (CCR)
www.bpn.gov/ccr/default.aspx
• Dynamic Small Business Search Registration - When
successfully registered in CCR, you’re given the option to create a
profile at the SBA Small Business Database. (DSBS)
http://dsbs.sba.gov/dsbs/search/dsp_dsbs.cfm
• Online Representations and Certifications Applications Reduces the administrative burden for contractors submitting the
same information to various contracting offices and establish a
common source for this information for procurement offices.
(ORCA) https://orca.bpn.gov/
Continued…
• State of Texas
▫ CMBL – Centralized Master Bidders List
▫ Receive bid opportunities
▫ Annual Fee
http://www.window.state.tx.us/procurement/prog/cmbl/
• State of New Mexico
▫ Vendor Registration Application
▫ Annual Fee
http://www.generalservices.state.nm.us/spd/VendorRegApp.html
FedBizOpps
• Identify Opportunities – Follow the Money
• The Vendor Notification Service – Sends emails
to alert you of solicitations and modifications.
• Search awarded contracts and past purchases.
• For more information visit https://www.fbo.gov/
You have your certification … now what do you do with it?
Market Your Firm
Elaborate your business capability statement
Capability Statement
A capability statement is required for the following:
• Quick facts about your company that will help your
business during the registration process
• Proof of your qualifications
• Proof of your past performance
• It will give you the edge over your competition
• Excellent marketing tool
Capability Statement Contents
The following are key elements that should be included
in your business capability statement:
1. Areas of expertise
2. Past performance
3. Facilities and equipment
4. Corporate data & codes
5. Contact information
Capability Statement Contents
Areas of Expertise
• Services or Products you
offer
• Not a long narrative
• Select key offerings
• Skills and technical
experience
• Key individuals in the
company
• Years in business
Past Performance
• Clients or customers
you’ve done business
with
• Select largest ones
• Customers most similar
to the ones you want to
do business with
Capability Statement Contents
Facilities and equipment
• Offices, warehouse or
locations
• Square feet,
shipping/receiving etc.
• Unique equipment
• Special resources
• Technologies or
techniques
• State of the art programs
or approaches
Corporate data & codes
• Corporate name
• NAICS or SIC codes for
services/products
• CAGE code
• DUNS number
• EIN number
• Certifications: WBE,
MBE, DBE numbers
• FSC codes
Capability Statement Contents
Contact information
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Company name
Address
Phone
Fax
Email address
Website address
Formatting
• Use your business
stationery
• Title document
“Capability Statement”
• Saved as a PDF
• Easy to email as an
attachment with a cover
letter in body of email
• Can always print out for
trade show use
Steps to Success
• Be on the lookout for “Sources Sought” and “Requests
for Information (RFIs).
• If you are contacted regarding an opportunity, PLEASE
RESPOND AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
• Make contacts and build relationships. Attend
procurement conferences and business expos. Attend
Business Networking events. Contact buyers and end
users. It’s worth the investment!
• Build strategic partnerships with other companies. Your
minority business CAN STILL BE PART OF THE
WORK !
Your Responsibilities as a Business Owner
• Any Technical Assistance and/or Certification
Process MUST BE A PRIORITY TO THE
OWNER.
• The owner of the business will be our only contact
person. We will not discuss your certification with a
partner, CFO, accountant, bookkeeper, spouse, or
friend in lieu of the owner.
• You must have access to and provide all
documentation that is required by the certifying
agency.
Responsibility of the MBDA
Business Center
Certification Packaging
• We will help you determine which certification is best
for the market you want to expand to.
• We will provide you with guidance on how to
complete the application process.
• We will review your completed certification, before
you submit it.
• We will copy and send the package for you.
• We will be available for questions, before, during and
after the submission of your packet.
Things To Remember
• TARGET YOUR CUSTOMER:
Who buys your product or service?
How do they buy?
When do they buy?
• KNOW THE RULES:
Federal Acquisition Regulations
Contract requirements and specifications
How to obtain Contract history
• PERFORM AS PROMISED:
On-time deliver
Good Quality, at a Fair Price
QUESTIONS?
Call us for more information on certifications
Alondra McDuffie, Business Development
Specialist
MBDA Business Center
alondram@elpasombdacenter.com
Phone: 915-351-6232
For Information on Financing or Bonding…
Pamela Morales, Business Development Specialist
MBDA Business Center
pmorales@elpasombdacenter.com
Phone: 915-351-6232