Are you a minority, veteran, or disadvantaged business owner wanting to become certified by the government? It’s not as difficult as it may seem. With the right guidance and determination, your dream of becoming a certified business can become a reality. In this blog post, Jim DePalma provides the information necessary to help you achieve certification status.
Women, Minority, Veteran, Disadvantaged Business Owners: Jim DePalma On How To Get My Business Certified
Certifying your business as a Women, Minority, Veteran, or Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (WMBE) can open up countless opportunities for growth and success. According to Jim DePalma, the process of becoming certified may seem overwhelming at first, but with the right preparation and understanding of the system, it is an achievable goal.
The benefits of certification include greater access to resources like loans, grants, and contracts, which are set aside specifically for these types of businesses. At a national level, there are certifications that you can obtain from organizations such as the Small Business Administration, the U.S. Department of Transportation, and other state and municipal programs.
In order to become certified in any program, you will need to meet certain criteria that have been established by the specific organization. These criteria may range from having a certain level of ownership to being located in an area that meets specific qualifications. Some organizations, as per Jim DePalma, also require evidence of experience or training in the field, as well as proof that you have been actively operating your business for at least two years.
Additionally, depending on the type of certification you are seeking (such as Women-owned Business Enterprise or Veteran-owned Small Business), there may be more specialized requirements set by the certifying authority. The documentation typically requires financial and legal information about your business, so it is important to make sure all records are up-to-date and accurate.
For example, if you are applying for certification with the Department of Transportation’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program, you will need to submit evidence of your disadvantaged status. This could include proof of income or lack thereof, proof of ownership and control of the business, as well as detailed information about the goods and services provided by the company.
In addition to having all necessary documentation ready beforehand, you may also want to research any applicable grants or contracts that are available specifically for WMBEs in your area. According to a recent report from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, over $5 billion dollars in contracts were set aside for DBE’s in Fiscal Year 2018 alone – an increase from the previous year. This means that there are a number of opportunities available for certified WMBEs.
For example, the California Department of Transportation recently awarded $107 million in contracts to 13 DBE’s which will be used to improve transportation infrastructure in the state. This is just one example of many where certified businesses have gained access to lucrative contracts due to their certification status.
Jim DePalma’s Concluding Thoughts
According to Jim DePalma, getting your business certified can be a long and challenging process, but it is well worth the effort in the end. Certification opens up a wealth of resources that are otherwise not typically available, as well as providing recognition for your company and its hard work. Doing your research and preparing all necessary documents beforehand will help make sure you get through the process quickly and successfully so you can move forward with your business goals. With the right preparation, you will be well on your way to becoming a certified WMBE and gaining access to all the opportunities that come with it!