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5/2/2018 2:20:39 PM
Streamlined application process allows small business to apply for federal, state, and local business certification programs with one application
SAINT PAUL – The State of Minnesota has made it easier for Minnesota small businesses to become a federal, state, or local government vendor. In partnership with regional and local governments, the State has developed a one-stop web portal that allows small businesses to apply for Disadvantaged Business Entity (DBE), Targeted Group Business (TGB) certification, and St. Paul Central Certification Program (CERT) programs with only one application.
Vendors that achieve federal, state, or local certification receive a preference in public contracting, networking opportunities, access to business coaching, and greater visibility in the public marketplace.
“We are working hard to ensure that government better reflects the rich diversity of Minnesota, and is accessible to all Minnesotans. This portal is helping us achieve that goal by streamlining the certification process for small businesses owned by people of color, women, and veterans,” said Governor Mark Dayton. “This is an important step toward ensuring that all Minnesotans have opportunities to prosper and succeed. I encourage all eligible Minnesota businesses to apply for certification.”
Prior to implementation of the streamlined application process, an applicant wishing to apply for multiple certification programs had to apply individually to each program and either provide paper applications and documentation or enter the same information multiple times in different systems.
“Minimizing the hoops small business owners must jump through to become certified is essential to permanently reducing disparities in state contracting for minority and women owned businesses,” said Commissioner Matt Massman. “Small business owners run lean operations and have limited time for paperwork. By streamlining the certification process, we expect more small businesses will pursue state contracts, promote innovative solutions to state needs, increase competition for contracts, and ultimately yield the best price and best value for public dollars.”
The initiative was led by the Minnesota Department of Administration in partnership with Minnesota IT Services. Key partners in creating the portal are:
“I am proud of the hard work and collaboration that went into delivering this successful project,” said Commissioner Johanna Clyborne. “As a small business owner myself, I know how important it is to ensure that government processes are easy to navigate. This technology solution helps reduce the number of steps needed to get business done, and will move Minnesota forward in achieving its goal of eliminating historic disparities in state contracting, and promoting contracting with all small businesses.”
Streamlined certification is part of a broader State initiative to achieve equity in public contracting. The simplified application process will particularly benefit minority-, women-, veteran-, economically disadvantaged, and disabled-owned small businesses.
The Minnesota Small Business Certification Portal and applications can be found at https://sbcp.mn.gov.
About the Partners
The Minnesota Unified Certification Program (MnUCP) is a DBE program operated by a group of state and local agencies who work together to certify DBE’s. Currently the City of Minneapolis, Metropolitan Airport Commission, Metropolitan Council and the Minnesota Department of Transportation are responsible for certifying firms, promoting events that benefit DBE’s, and discuss issues affecting the DBE community.
St. Paul Central Certification (CERT) Program is a small business certification program recognized by Hennepin County, Ramsey County, the City of Saint Paul and the City of Minneapolis Target Market program. The CERT Program includes certification for Minority-Owned Business Enterprise (MBE), Women-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE), and Small Business Enterprise (SBE). Businesses eligible to participate in this program must be based in the following counties: Anoka, Benton, Carver, Chisago, Dakota, Hennepin, Isanti, Ramsey, Scott, Sherburne, Stearns, Washington, Wright, Pierce, and St. Croix.
Department of Administration’s Office of Equity in Procurement (OEP) counsels small businesses, including small businesses owned by minorities, women, people with physical disabilities, and veterans attempting to sell goods and services to the State. OEP helps level the playing field for small businesses by ensuring they are aware of contract opportunities, have the information and technical assistance they need to respond to solicitations and have an equitable opportunity to achieve a successful business relationship with the state.
Equity in State Contracting
Under Governor Mark Dayton’s Executive Order 16-01, the Department of Administration and its community and State agency partners have implemented a wide variety of improvements that have led to real increases in diverse contracting. Admin supports Minnesota’s businesses in competing for public contracts through the Minnesota Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) and Office of Equity in Procurement (OEP).
PTAC assists businesses by providing free individualized technical assistance in navigating local, state, and federal contracting requirements as well as performance assistance. Expertise provided by PTAC business counselors includes market identification, registration assistance, contracting regulations/compliance assistance, and ongoing technical support throughout the procurement process. PTAC counselors conduct year-round training sessions across the state to help businesses hone essential business skills.
OEP counsels small businesses, including small businesses owned by minorities, women, people with physical disabilities, and veterans attempting to sell goods and services to the State. OEP helps level the playing field for small businesses by ensuring they are aware of contract opportunities, have the information and technical assistance they need to respond to solicitations and have an equitable opportunity to achieve a successful business relationship with the state.
About Minnesota’s New Diversity Goals for Contracts with Diverse Businesses
In August 2017, Admin announced that at least eight percent of all state purchasing will be with certified minority-, woman-, economically disadvantaged-, disabled-, and veteran-owned small businesses. In addition, the state has set a twelve percent goal of overall state purchasing to be with minority, woman, economically disadvantaged, disabled- and veteran-owned businesses regardless of business size. The state already has a statutory commitment of 25 percent of state purchasing to be done with small businesses, regardless of ownership make-up.
Learn more about Admin’s business assistance programs at: https://mn.gov/admin/business/vendor-info/oep/ and https://mn.gov/admin/business/vendor-info/ptac/.
