WOSB & EDWOSB Federal Contracting Program On Februray 4, 2011 the SBA released the long awaited Women-Owned Small
Business (WOSB)/Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business
(EDWOSB) Federal Contracting Program.
The WOSB/EDWOSB Program is a set-aside federal contracting program that
allows WOSB's and EDWOSB's to compete on a level playing field for Federal
Contracting Opportunities. By mandate, the Federal government must award
5% of its prime and subcontract dollars to women-owned small businesses.
In these set-aside categories WOSB's/EDWOSB's would be competing for
contracting opportunites (bidding) amongst other WOSB's/EDWOSB's only. Anyone not
certified in these two categories would not have the opprotunity to bid on
these Federal Contracts.
In these two categories you would be able to bid on contracts up to $5 Million
in the case of manufacturing contracts and $3 Million in the case of service
(all other) contracts.
There is no term limit on program participation as long as you are eligible for
the program and have met all of the requirements for certification.
The first contracts for these two set-asides are supposed to be released in the
4th quarter of fiscal year 2011 (Jul 2011 - Sept 2011).
As this is a new program, now is the time to get in on the ground floor so that
you will be preapred when the first contracts are released.
Call us for a free consultation to
see if you qualify.
Federal 8(a) Certification
On March
14, 2011 new 8(a) Business Development Regulations became effective.
The revisions are the first major overhaul of the 8(a) program in more than 10
years.
The 8(a) Certification Program is a set-aside federal contracting
program that allows socially and economically disadvantaged business to compete
on a more level playing field with larger companies.
Some of the most noticable changes in the 8(a) Business Development Regulations
are as follows:
Adjusted Net Worh limits raised from $200,000 to $250,000 (excluding equity in primary residence and equity in business);
Personal Income limits raised from $200,000 to $250,000;
Total Assets must not exceed $4 Million (including equity in primary residence and equity in business);
IRA Accounts are now excluded from Net Worth and Total Assets determination.
Call us for a free consultation to see if you qualify.
Federal HUBZone Certification The
HUBZone certification program provides federal contracting opportunities for
small businesses located in HUBZone's and promotes economic development and
employment growth in distressed areas.
Is your business owned and controlled at least 51% by U.S. citizens?
Is your principal office located in a HUBZone? HUBZone Map
Do at least 35% of your employees reside in a HUBZone? They need not reside in the same HUBZone your office is located in.
Changes to the HUBZone Regulations on May 3, 2010 now allow small businesses to
use full-time, part-time, temporary, and leased employees to qualify them as
long as these individuals work a minimum of 40 hours per month.
Call
us for a free consultation to see if you qualify.
STATE CERTIFICATION SERVICES:
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE)
On
Februray 28, 2011 the DOT released its final ruling and adjusted the
Personal Net Worth (PNW) of the DBE Program from $750,000 to $1.32 Million
making it the first adjustment since 1989. The final ruling will also
hold states and local agencies more accountable for including disadvantaged
businesses in their transportation plans.
Other provisions in this rulemaking will also add provisions to ensure that
prime contractors fulfill commitments to use DBE subcontractors. State
and local agencies will be required to monitor each contract to make sure prime
contractors are fulfilling their obligations and do not dismiss DBE
subcontractors without good cause.
Another major change under the rulemaking will reduce burdens on small
businesses seeking DBE certification in more than one state. As a result,
all states will be required to accept DBE certifications obtained in other
states, unless the state finds good cause not to accept it. The rule
establishes a process for resolving issues with respect to eligibility raised
by states concerning out-of-state firms.
The DOT DBE Certification Program is aimed at helping economically and socially
disadvantaged businesses take advantage of opportunities to participate in
federally funded highway, transit and airport projects. The Department
has established a race neutral goal of 8.18% for the untilization of DBE's on
all contracts.
Call us for a free consultation to see if you qualify.
Minority and Women Business
Enterprise (M/WBE) MWBE certification is Florida's premier stamp of approval for minority, women
and service-disabled veterans business enterprises. It is widely accepted
across the State of Florida in the private sector as well as cities, conties,
school districts, hospitals, water management districts and other quasi
governmental entities.
Minimum
eligibility requirements for certification include:
·Must be
independently owned and operated;
·51%
owned, managed and controlled by: African-American, Hispanic-American,
Asian-American, Native-American, American Woman or Service-Disabled Veteran
(minimum 10% disability);
·Must be
a U.S. Citizen;
·Must be
engaged in commercial transactions;
·Must
operate a business in Florida.
Call us for a free consultation to see if you qualify.
LOCAL CERTIFICATION
SERVICES:
CSBE, CBE, SBE Miami-Dade*, Broward* and Palm Beach County* all have vendor registrations
and certifications set up to increase the participation of small businesses in
County contracts. These business oppotunities aid these firms in their
growth and contribution to South Florida's economic growth.
Call us for a free consultation to see if you qualify. * Other County vendor registrations and certifications available upon request
County School Board Vendor Registrations and MWBE Certifications Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach County* School Boards all have vendor
registrations and MWBE certifications which have been implemented to
ensure fair and equitable opportunities for minority and women-owned
businesses, as they pursue School Board contracts.
Most School Boards also have "Contractor Pre-Qualification"
Applications. Call
us for a free consultation to see if you qualify.
* Other County School Board vendor registrations and certifications available upon request
Other Miscellaneous Vendor Registrations and Certifications Did you know that Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach County* have more than 45
different Municipality Vendor Registrations between them.
* Other County Municipalities vendor
registrations available upon request
Did you know that there are more than 25 Universities and Community Colleges in
the State of Florida who offer Vendor Registrations and/or MWBE Certifications.
Call us for a free consultation to see if you qualify.
SFWMD Vendor Application and SBE Certification Of the five regional water management districts in the State of Florida, the South
Florida Water Management District* is the largest. They protect the water
resources in 16 counties extending from Orlando in central Florida all the way
to the keys. Their service area includes eight field stations, 61 pump
stations, and nine service centers.
The District purchases all types of goods and services from vendors throughout
the state and nationwide. These goods and services include janitorial
services, property leasing, automotive parts, fencing, architect-engineering
design services, and everything else in between.
* Other Water Management Districts vendor
registrations available upon request
Call us for a free consultation to see if you qualify.
