How to Certify/Register your Latina-Owned Business with Procurement Officials
- Federal Level
- State Level
- Corporate
- Multinational Development Organizations
- Procurement Assistance Contacts
1. Federal Level
Here are seven important steps Latina entrepreneurs need to take to become Federal Procurement Ready.
- Conduct an Initial Assessment (managerial, technical and financial) of your procurement capabilities for selling to the Federal government.
- Conduct a Remediation Plan to correct Assessment Phase deficiences, if any.
- Register as a client either at a Procurement Technical Assistance (PTAC), Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Minority Business Enterprise Center (MBEC), Women''s Business Institute (WBI) or any other business development organization that provides procurement assistance.
- Complete the Central Contractors Registration (CCR) process and other certifications, as appropriate.
- Attend procurement counselling and training sessions provided by PTAC, SBDC, MBEC, WBI or other local business development organizations.
- Prepare a Capability Statement.
- Prepare a well conceived Federal Marketing Plan and make sure it is well implemented.
Federal Registration, Certification and Related Information
Central Contractor Registration (CCR) is the primary registrant database for businesses interested in selling to the U.S. Federal Government.
What do you need in order to register with CCR?
- A Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number provided by Dun and Bradstreet (D&B)
DUNS Webform
- A Tax Identification Number (TIN) and Taxpayer Name used in Federal tax matters.
- Statistical Information about your business.
Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) information for payment of invoices.
For detailed information on how to complete the CCR form, visit www.ccr.gov
The Three Core SBA Certification Programs
Certification programs can help you market your business to both large business and government procurements. There are three core certification programs: the Small Disadvantaged Business Program (SDB), the 8(a) Business Development Program, and the HUBZone Program.
- The Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB) Certification Program is designed to treat small companies equitably and empower them to pursue business in the the private and public sector contract arena. Once a SDB is certified, it will be eligible for specific procurement benefits.
- The SBA''s 8(a) Business Development Program is an initiative that helps small disadvantaged businesses compete in the American economy. Program participation is divided into two stages:
- The Developmental Stage is designed to help 8(a) certified firms overcome their economic disadvantage by providing personalized business assistance in expanding their business and fostering meaningful business relationships.
- The Transitional Stage us designed to help program participants become more effective in both the large business and government sector market in dealing with complex business deals and to prepare them for post 8(a) program expansion and development.
- The HUBZone Empowerment Contracting Program is designed to stimulate economic development and create jobs in urban and rural communities. The program provides contracting opportunities to small businesses located in, and hiring employees from, Historically Underutilized Business Zones.
For detailed information on these programs, visit the SBA''s web site.
2. Procurement at the State Government Level
The National Conference of State Legislatures has compiled a list of 27 States with Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Certification Program. For a list of states with these programs; information on their administrative; and links to their respective websites, visit:
State MBE Certification Programs
3. Corporate Procurement
Three principal organizations that certify women-owned businesses for the corporate world are:
- National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC)
- Women''s Business Enterprice National Council (WBENC)
http://www.wbenc.org/Certification/
- National Women Business Owners Corporation (NWBOC)
http://www.nwboc.org/section_apply
4. Procurement at Multinational Development Organizations
Contact the following organizations to learn how to register your company with them as a potential supplier and about the products/services they are seeking:
- United Nations (Procurement Division)
- World Bank
http://go.worldbank.org/882LT3OW90
- Inter-American Development Bank
http://www.iadb.org/procurement
- U.S. Agency for International Development (AID)
5. Procurement Support/Assistance Contacts
Click the sites below to locate the nearest office of the following organizations that can help you register your company and find potential procurement opportunities that will help grow your business:
- Procurement Technical Assistance Center Network
http://www.aptac-us.org/new/Govt_Contracting/find.php
- Small Business Development Center Network
- Minority Business Enterprise Center Network
http://www.mbda.gov/?section_id=10
- Women''s Business Institute Network
- National Supplier Development Council Network
- Women''s Business Enterprise National Council
- National Women Business Owners Corporation (NWBOC)