Hillsborough County – Minority and Small Business Certification Programs FAQs

What particularly does it suggest to be “a Minority and Lady Qualified” with
Hillsborough County?

A Hillsborough County certified DM/DWBE is a small business that has gone
by means of a rigorous and stringent certification system to verify that
the business enterprise is owned, managed, and controlled by an suitable minority
group member or girl. The certification approach assures that businesses
proclaiming to be minority/gals-owned and controlled fulfill the authorized
skills. Accredited DM/DWBEs use their certification qualifications
to attain entry to deal opportunities with the County.
The Eligibility Necessities and Documentation section of this webpage
offers information about eligibility necessities and supporting
documentation.

How can my organization grow to be a certified minority/ladies-owned small business
organization?

In purchase to become qualified by Hillsborough County as a minority- or
women of all ages-owned small business company, a company have to meet up with the eligibility
conditions set by the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners.
These requirements are codified in Resolution No. R06-264, as amended by
Resolution No. R11-020, Resolution No. R12-156, Resolution No. R15-105,
Resolution 16-120, and Resolution No. R22-002. The Eligibility
Prerequisites and Documentation area of this site supplies particulars
about eligibility needs and supporting documentation.

What minority groups are eligible for DM/DWBE certification?

Qualified minority team members are folks who are citizens or
lawful permanent residents of the U.S. and who are Black, Hispanic,
American Indian, Alaskan indigenous, Asian, or Pacific Islander. Ladies are
regarded as minority team members for the function of this method.

If the minority team users are next- or 3rd-technology Americans,
proof of lineage ought to be offered for at minimum 1 dad or mum and, if
relevant, a grandparent.

• Black – A particular person owning origins in any of the Black racial
  groups of Africa
• Hispanic – A person of Spanish or Portuguese society with
  origins in Spain, Portugal, Mexico, South America, Central America, or
  the Caribbean Islands, irrespective of race
• Asian – A individual obtaining origins in any of the authentic peoples
  of the Considerably East, Southeast Asia, the Indian Subcontinent, or the
  Pacific Islands
• American Indian/Alaskan Native – A man or woman obtaining origins in any
  of the original peoples of North America

Why ought to I certify as a DM/DWBE?

Certification as a minority- or females-owned small business company will
help enhance your firm’s visibility among Hillsborough County and other
potential shoppers, document your firm’s status as an MBE/WBE, and
enrich your aggressive benefit.

Will DM/DWBE certification warranty me a contract?

DM/DWBE certification is a instrument, not a guarantee. Certification enhances
a certified enterprise enterprise’s publicity to Hillsborough County,
key contractors, and the business enterprise local community. To be prosperous, a
organization however demands to industry itself, its folks, and its services, just
as any superior small business must. Like any instrument, certification must be
actively employed to expertise its complete really worth. Below are some extra
tips:

• Industry your enterprise to organizations that may well require what you promote.
• Study contracts that have now been awarded to understand which agencies purchase
  what you offer, who holds the existing contract, and when that deal
  will expire.
• Network with prospective primary contractors at pre-bid or pre-proposal
  conferences.

What is the change amongst County procurement vendor registration
and becoming a DM/DWBE accredited company?

Registering your corporation as a County vendor will allow you to do company
with Hillsborough County. Having a licensed organization enterprise
designation (minority-owned or lady-owned) suggests that your business
has undergone a review course of action to exhibit that it fulfills the minimal
eligibility standards.

How do I apply for DM/DWBE certification?

You should submit the
online application for minority certification
for even further critique to determine eligibility.

If I am licensed by a different company as a Deprived Organization
Business, am I also qualified by Hillsborough County?

No, provisional reciprocity shall be granted to minority, ladies, and
deprived firms that are principally domiciled in the Point out of
Florida and licensed by other local metropolis, county, or point out
jurisdictions. Provisional reciprocity shall be granted for just one
six-month interval. All enterprises granted reciprocal certification who
would like to continue to participate in the County’s DM/DWBE System
immediately after the expiration of its reciprocal certification will be required to
full a Hillsborough County certification software.

I am not a minority personal does Hillsborough County have a
race-neutral small business encouragement system?

Yes, the Small Organization Organization (SBE) Encouragement Application provides
full chance for small businesses to participate in the
County’s procurement systems. The software includes specific
thing to consider on Hillsborough County projects, these types of as SBE Established-Aside
contracts. The Eligibility Necessities and Documentation section of
this website page presents details about eligibility demands and supporting
documentation.

What is an SBE Established-Apart?

Buys of competitively procured commodities and providers might be set
aside exclusively for registered SBEs to compete. In purchase to guarantee
important competition, at the very least a few (3) registered SBEs need to be
obtainable to offer the relevant commodity in advance of the procurement may
be set-aside for SBEs.

Qualified DM/DWBE Minority Teams

Suitable minority group members are people who are citizens or
lawful lasting residents of the U.S. and who are Black, Hispanic,
American Indian, Alaskan native, Asian, or Pacific Islander. Gals
are thought of as minority team customers for the reason of this
application.

If the minority team customers are 2nd- or third-era
People, proof of lineage will have to be provided for at least a single mother or father
and, if applicable, a grandparent.

• Black – A particular person getting origins in any of the Black racial
  teams of Africa
• Hispanic – A human being of Spanish or Portuguese culture with
  origins in Spain, Portugal, Mexico, South The united states, Central The usa,
  or the Caribbean Islands, irrespective of race
• Asian – A individual acquiring origins in any of the authentic peoples
  of the Significantly East, Southeast Asia, the Indian Subcontinent, or the
  Pacific Islands
• American Indian/Alaskan Native – A person owning origins in any of
  the first peoples of North The united states

Other Demanded DM/DWBE Application Documents, when relevant




• Affidavit of No Workers – This doc is essential if the company
  has no workforce and the employer’s quarterly wage report is
  not submitted. Down load, indicator, notarize, and upload
• New business enterprise documentation (if in enterprise much less than a person 12 months) –
  Supply an invoice with compensated receipt or associated canceled checks
  relating to the company and 1 reference for whom perform has been
  carried out or to whom items and elements have been bought during the
  prior 12 months
• Employer’s quarterly wage report for final 8 quarters or
  modern payroll for everlasting, total-time employees – Consist of entrepreneurs
  and officers. If none, complete and submit the Affidavit of No
  Workforce.
• Stock ledger
• Evidence that the company is principally domiciled in Hillsborough
  County – Only present if you would also like SBE thing to consider.
  (i.e., utility invoice, lease/rental agreement, home tax receipt,
  and so forth.)

Other Essential Files for SBE Registration, when applicable


• Affidavit of No Staff – This document is expected if the company
  has no workforce. Download, signal, notarize, and upload
• Employer’s Quarterly Wage report for previous 8 quarters or modern
  payroll for permanent, complete-time staff members. Involve proprietors and
  officers. If none, total and post the Affidavit of No
  Employees.
• Proof of service-related incapacity of all persons
• Extra supporting paperwork not listed earlier mentioned