There’s many reasons why a business would get a state certification, as opposed to the more popular federal certifications:
Whatever your reasoning may be, have a certification at a state level can be extremely helpful to increasing your business-to-government sales. State certifications often see much higher spending goals, set-aside opportunities, and subcontracting goals than a certification at the federal level. They are also a bit quicker to get into place, and are the perfect fit for a smaller business not sure which route to go when starting off with government contracts.
Our understanding of the city, county and state purchasing markets allow us to offer certifications most have not even heard of. We research all available certifications with cities, counties and state agencies before proposing anything to you. Ensuring you are certified on all applicable levels of government gives you an upper-hand in this market, allowing you to qualify for more contracts in more places.
Among the most popular state certifications, minority-owned small businesses can gain access to, usually, around 20% of all state contracting dollars. Get access to opportunities strictly set aside for MBE companies, and easily get picked up as a sub. Often
Governed by states’ Department of Transportation, the DBE certification is a must for all vendors who have an interest in contracts with the DOT (+ road construction), airports, shipping ports or municipal public transportation programs & agencies. Typically, DBE certified vendors are given set aside contracts, and high spending goals when federal contracts are administered by the state, especially for all highway, road and bridge contracting needs.
Similar to the MWBE certification, many stats offer certifications for veteran and disabled veteran owned businesses, with hefty annual spending goals in place. Many times when a states purchasing guidelines are race/gender-neutral, they still stand to offer veteran owned business certifications, giving these companies an upper hand in the state and local sector.
A program offered by only some states, the EDGE program is for both socially (minority/woman) and economically (personal net worth restrictions) disadvantaged firms. The EDGE program is often accompanied with a whole range of benefits and resources designed to assist small businesses with reaching their best potential.
Race/Gender-Neutral certifications are also offered by most states, as well as local counties and cities. These certifications are typically available to all companies that are just small, to give them an even playing field in a world of diversity certifications.
Among the most popular state certifications, minority-owned small businesses can gain access to, usually, around 20% of all state contracting dollars. Get access to opportunities strictly set aside for MBE companies, and easily get picked up as a sub. Often times, contracts have a 5%-15% MWBE subcontracting goal. This means primes are required to find a certified company to act as a sub
Similar to the MBE, women-owned businesses see the same preference. In fact, many states have combined the MBE and WBE programs into a unified certification and process, the MWBE. Receive the same prime and subcontracting goals as the MBE.
Governed by states’ Department of Transportation, the DBE certification is a must for commercial and industrial engineers, construction companies and contractors. Typically, DBE certified vendors are given set aside contracts, and high spending goals when federal contracts are administered by the state, especially for all highway, road and bridge contracting needs.
Small businesses that don’t qualify for other socio-economic certifications can also find available the SBE certification. This certification is sometimes issued at a state, county, or city level. This gives a small preference when bidding in the designated area of certification, and is also utilized on many subcontracting goals.
govCerts is a state, local and educational (SLED) & Fed market certifications processing company. We strive to deliver products that ensure your company has the competitive edge when pursuing contracts in the SLED & Fed government sectors.
