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Overwhelmed by registrations,certifications and solicitations?

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As part of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Procurement Technical Assistance Program, Widener SBDC is proud to offer in-depth help in pursuing federal, state and local government contracts.

Federal Business Certifications

Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB)

A three-year certification strictly pertaining to benefits in federal procurement. The SBA certifies small businesses that meet specific social, economic, ownership, and control eligibility. Small disadvantaged businesses are eligible for price evaluation adjustments of up to 10 percent when bidding on federal contracts in certain industries. More information on SDB certification and the application can be found at www.sba.gov/sdb/index.html

8(a) program

This is an SBA certification for socially and economically disadvantaged businesses. The program was set up to guide small businesses through the federal contracting process. Additional information can be found at www.sba.gov/8abd/

HUBZone Empowerment Contracting and Certification

This is an SBA administered program. It provides federal contracting opportunities for qualified small businesses located in distressed areas and helps to empower communities, create jobs, and attract private investment. To qualify, companies must be located in a "historically underutilized business zone and must be owned and controlled by one or more U.S. Citizens and at least 35% of its employees must reside in a HUBZone. A HUBZone is a qualified census tract with a median household income of less than 80 percent of the State median household income, or a qualified census tract with an unemployment rate of not less than 140 percent of the statewide average, or lands within the boundaries of federally recognized Indian reservations. For additional info visit www.sba.gov/hubzone/

Woman-Owned Business Certification

This is a newly enacted certification by Congress - Section 8 of the Small Business Act and is a procurement program for women-owned small business concerns. To qualify, a business that is at least 51% owned and operated by one or more women. This is a self-certification process.

Veteran-Owned Small Business

This is a newly created business status for firms where 51% of the ownership and control of the enterprise is maintained by a veteran. Prime contractors and agencies have "best effort" goals. This is a self-certification process.

Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business

To qualify, a firm must have at least 51% of the ownership and control of the enterprise maintained by a service disabled veteran. Prime contractors and agencies have a 3% goal This is a self-certification process.

State of Pennsylvania Certifications

Woman-owned Business Enterprise (WBE) and Minority-owned Business Enterprise (MBE) Certifications

Certifications by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of General Services, Bureau of Contract Administration and Business Development for woman and minority owned businesses. To qualify, companies must be 51% owned and operated by a woman or minority who is a U.S. citizen. Certification offers various benefits such as direct referrals to prime contractors, inclusion in the state's database of applicable companies, extra points for contracts being awarded on the point system, etc.  More information on WBE and MBE certification and the application can be found at:

www.portal.state.pa.us

PennDOT and PA Turnpike Commission have their own certification programs

Both participate in the PA Unified Certification Program which provides the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) certification accepted by all PA agencies receiving Federal Highway funds. Additional information can be found at:

http://www.dot.state.pa.us/Internet/Bureaus/pdBEO.nsf/infoPAUCPINFO?OpenForm