Certification – Includes questions about certification requirements, eligibility, recertification, set-asides and revocation.
Q: Why should I certify as a MWBE?
A: Certification will (a) help increase your firm’s visibility among State agencies and other prospective clients (b) document your firm’s status as a certified MWBE and (c) enhance your competitive advantage.
Q: What are the eligibility requirements to become certified as a MWBE?
A: The Company must be (a) 51 percent owned by woman and/or minority group (b) 51 percent managed by woman and/or minority group (c) certified as a MWBE in home state of business.
Q: What minority groups are eligible?
A: Minority groups include African Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans and Subcontinent Asian Americans. For further clarification please download a certification application.
Q: Does certification cost money?
A: No. The certification is free.
Q: How do I become certified?
A: Complete the application and submit it to the OMWBE. The application must be notarized.
Q: How long does certification take?
A: Certification can take between four to six weeks. Incomplete applications will delay the process. Submitting certificates from other certifying organizations will expedite the process.
Q: How will I know I’m certified?
A: You will receive a certification certificate and letter in the mail, once your business is certified.
Q: Are there any set-asides for MWBEs?
A: No. However, Delaware Code, Title 16 - Health and Safety Disabled and Partially Disabled Persons, Chapter 96, State Use Law mandates set-asides for this population. For more information on types of set-aside contracts, visit Government Support Services set-aside contracts.
Q: When does my certification expire?
A: Certification expires at the end of three years from original certification date. Please notify OMWBE of any changes or upgrades in your business.
Q: Does OMWBE recognize other MWBE certifications?
A: Yes, however you must complete the specialized application and submit the respective supporting documentation. Currently, OMWBE recognizes DelDOT, City of Wilmington, MDOT, PA UCP, Pennsylvania MWBE, WBENC and MSDC. Please contact OMWBE to inquire about other certifying organizations.
Q: I am a retail organization or a business that provides products or services which are not applicable to the State. Should I certify?
A: Yes. You are encouraged to certify with OMWBE because MWBE certification may provide inroads into other companies as well as provide free marketing.
Q: Once my business is certified, will I be notified of all procurement opportunities?
A: No, however the OMWBE will continue to research bid opportunities and assist in your effort. We are consistently working on ways to improve communication and in the mean time we strongly encourage you to visit the respective resources.
Q: Do I need to submit my tax information to become certified?
A: As of August 2007, tax information will not be required for certification; however there are several benefits to submitting this information. Firstly, the submission allows OMWBE to identify your business as a small business, which may provide additional opportunities. Secondly, it allows me, as a representative of the office, to speak in general about the range of businesses certified by OMWBE.
Q: Does your office truly validate if a firm is a MWBE?
A: OMWBE reserves the right to audit firms’ classification as a MWBE.
Q: Can my certification ever be revoked?
A: If the Office identifies your business as a falsely certified MWBE, OMWBE reserves the right to revoke your business certification. Furthermore, your certification can be revoked if the business fails to keep current contact information.
Office of Minority and Women Business Enterprises - Includes questions about OMWBE services
Q: I thought my certification would help me get more State contracts, but it hasn't. What good is it?
A: Certification is a tool, not a guarantee. It enhances MBEs’ and WBEs’ exposure to State and Local agencies, prime contractors, and the business community. To be successful, a company must market itself, its people, and its services, just as any good business should. Similar to any tool, certification is worthless if it is not actively used.
- Market you business to agencies that may need what you sell.
- Network with potential prime contractors at pre-bid or pre-proposal conferences.
- Research contracts that have already been awarded to learn which agencies purchase what you sell, who holds the current contract, and when that contract will expire.
Q: Are there funding programs for certified MWBE programs?
A: OMWBE does not provide funding or grants for MWBEs. However, there are several resources available that are dedicated to researching and providing funding for MWBEs. Please download the small business funding and resource guide from OMWBE home page.
Q: Will OMWBE help me get my business started?
A: No. OMWBE can give you with contact information for resources that provide this service. Please download the small business funding and resource guide from OMWBE home page.
Q: Does OMWBE provide grants?
A: OMWBE does not provide grant or funding to MWBEs. For additional information on grant opportunities, please download the small grant resource document on the OMWBE home page.
Q: This process seems unfair. I can’t get any bid opportunities. What should I do?
A: Document what happened. Who were the contacts? Then contact OMWBE with the documented information and we will research.
Q: What is the best way to communicate with the OMWBE?
A: Email. Please check your email daily for procurement opportunities.
Q: Does OMWBE certify veteran and service-disabled veterans?
A: No. Please visit www.ccr.org and register. We will certify the business if it qualifies as a MWBE.
Governor's Public Works and Procurement Opportunity Council (GPWPOC) - Includes questions about the Council's membership, mission and contact information
Q: What is the GPWPOC?
A: The GPWPOC was created by Executive Order 23. One of the Council’s goals is to develop statewide recruitment and business support strategies for minorities and women business enterprises. These strategies will ensure that public and private initiatives are coordinated and focused on providing the support and assistance. This is necessary to significantly increase the participation of women and minorities in all areas of state contracting and procurement.
Q: What members are on the Council?
A: The membership listing can be found within Executive Order 23. For detailed membership information, please download OMWBE’s newsletter the Compass Winter 2006 issue.
Q: How do I contact the Council?
A: Jay Burks, the Executive Director of OMWBE will serve as the primary contact for the Council.
Q: Can I join the Council?
A: No, however you may attend Council meetings. Contact OMWBE for additional information.
State purchase and bid procedures – Includes questions about under threshold bids, contract advertising and Delaware state procurement code
Q: Is there a preferred vendor list?
A: No. Some agencies contain vendors that have competitively bid on requests for proposals and are selected to provide services for the specific agency for an agreed upon time. For example, the Department of Technology and Information has a list of vendors that provide technical services and staffing.
Q: Are all bid opportunities advertised?
A: No. According to Title 29, Delaware Code, Chapter 69, under threshold bids which are less than $50,000 do not have to be publicly advertised. Please visit the Government Support Services web site and view small purchase procedures and thresholds for additional information.
Q: What is included in professional services?
A: The Delaware Code defines professional services as "services, which generally require specialized education, training or knowledge and involve intellectual skills. Examples of professional services include, but are not limited to, engineering, environmental engineering, environmental monitoring, land surveying, landscape architecture, geology, architectural, archaeologists, architectural historians, historians, educational consultants, management, medical, teaching, planning, computer information management, financial, accounting, auditing, construction management and arbitration services."
Q: Do I need a Delaware business license to be certified?
A: No. However it’s strongly recommended. Furthermore, in the case of any contract entered into by an agency other than any county of this State and other than a public school district, and which is not excluded under §§ 6980 and/or 6981 of this title, no contract shall be executed unless and until the firm has provided the agency with its taxpayer identification number (i.e., federal employer identification number or social security number) or its Delaware business license number and, within 15 days of the time identification of any subcontractor shall be required or at the time the contract is executed, whichever is later, the number of such subcontractor. The agency shall report to the Division of Revenue each firm and subcontractor selected for an award within 15 days of identification of such firm or subcontractor under this section unless the Director of the Division of Revenue notifies the agency of criteria according to which, in the Director's discretion, reporting is not required, and the contract meets such criteria. (59 Del. Laws, c. 573, § 1; 60 Del. Laws, c. 589, § 1; 61 Del. Laws, c. 3, § 3; 70 Del. Laws, c. 94, § 2; 70 Del. Laws, c. 601, § 9).
Q: Do I need any licenses to provide professional services?
A: In most cases, yes. Large public works projects (over $50,000) are publicly bid and the Delaware Code states "all plans and specifications shall be prepared by registered and licensed architects and/or engineers who shall sign the plans and specifications and affix their seals thereto." The Delaware Association of Professional Engineers is responsible for the licensing of engineers and engineering firms. The Division of Professional Regulation is responsible for licensing of most other professionals within the State.
Q: Where can I find the entire Delaware State procurement code?
A: Chapter 69 – Title 29 is Delaware state procurement and contracting regulations.
Business Strategies – Includes questions about marketing strategies and small, minority and women business funding and support resources
Q: Where can I find bid announcements?
A: Please view the next step document on OMWBE home page. This document provides information on agencies that post bid opportunities on their web site. Also, check www.delawareonline.com and www.delawarereview.com daily.
Q: Do I have to register with any other agency?
A: Yes. There are multiple agencies that have their own bidders list. Please check OMWBE’s web site for each respective agency. For example, Government Support Services and the Department of Technology and Information have vendor registration processes.
Q: How can I compete for public works projects less than $50,000?
A: Facilities Management has developed a contractor registration application specifically designed for contractors interested in public works project less than $50,000. Complete this application and submit it to Facilities Management.
Q: What do you suggest I develop as a subcontractor to market my business?
A: Contractor’s should have any relevant licensing information, current references, and general liability insurance information readily available for all prime contractors.
Q: How can I compete on professional services less than $50,000?
A: You must increase your firm’s visibility. Make sure you have submitted a capabilities narrative via email and your web site (if applicable) is on OMWBE MWBE web site directory. Also review the strategies for success presentation to identify agencies that use your specified service and market accordingly. Ensure the agency is included in your capabilities narrative.
Q: How can I find the types of professional services agencies that solicit bids for less than $50,000?
A: Please view the strategies for success presentation located on OMWBE home page.
Q: If I did not win the Request for Proposal, can I request the evaluation information for the RFP?
A: Yes. According to the Freedom of Information Act “it is vital that citizens have easy access to public records.”
Q: How do I apply for a Delaware business license?
A: Visit http://revenue.delaware.gov or applications can be obtained at the below locations.
422 N. Dupont Highway
Suite 2
Georgetown, DE 19947
Phone: 856-5358
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Carvel Building
820 North French Street
Wilmington, DE 19801 |
Thomas Collins Building
540 S. Dupont Highway
Suite 2
Dover, DE 19901
Phone: 744-1085
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State agency personnel – Includes questions about resources for supplier diversity and strategies for your agency to participate
Q: How can I find certified MWBEs?
A: Click “MBE/WBE directory” in the services section of OMWBE’s web site.
Q: I can’t find any applicable MWBEs on the web site. What should I do?
A: Please contact OMWBE via email DEOMWBE@state.de.us for the types of requested products or services you are searching for. OMWBE has additional resources to search for MWBEs.
Q: How can I help support the Governor’s Executive Order 52?
A: Provide OMWBE with the opportunity to provide vendors for under threshold purchase opportunities.
Q: What is supplier diversity?
A: Supplier diversity is a proactive business process that seeks to provide suppliers equal access to supply management opportunities.
Q: How does supplier diversity help?
A: According to the Institute of Supply Management, supplier diversity helps in the following areas (a) create a supply base that better mirrors the community (b) support the economics of the community (c) Create jobs in the minority and women community (d) create a more competitive supply base. (e) Provide better business solutions, products and services (f) retain diverse employees and attract quality employee candidates.
Q: How can I find more information on the benefits of supplier diversity?
A: Download the informational brochure on supplier diversity in the publications tab or contact OMWBE to schedule training.
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