ffFrequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Who is eligible for minority-owned business enterprise (MBE) Certification?
Q2: Does an applicant have to be U.S. Citizenship to qualify for MBE Certification?
Q3: I am a resident alien/green card holder, am I eligible for NMSDC minority-owned business enterprise (MBE) Certification?
Q4: What is the location of the _acronym’s office?
Q5: What are North America Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes?
Q6: Where may I locate my business NAICS code?
Q7: What is the cost of the Certification application process?
Q8: Does _acronym certify women-owned business enterprises (WBE)?
Q9: Does _acronym certify SMALL-DISADVANTAGED owned business enterprises (SDBE)?
Q10: What is the annual Certification fee for _acronym Certification?
Q11: When is the annual payment for _acronym required?
Q12: Who makes up the membership of the Certification Committee?
Q13: What does the Certification Committee look for in an application?
Q14: The MBE Certification process – how long does it take?
Q15: What are the steps in the MBE Certification process?
Q16: Are there any conditions to new MBE’s Certification?
Q17: What happens if my firm does not get certified, is there an appeal process?
Q18: If my application’s appeal is denied, is there a reapplication process?
Q19: What documents should I submit if my business is incorporated?
Q20: What documents should I submit if my business is a partnership?
Q21: What documents should I submit if my business is a Limited Liability Company (LLC)?
Q22: What documents should I submit if my business is a Limited Liability Partnership? (LLP)?
Q23: What documents should I submit if my business is a part of a Joint-Venture (JV) Partnership?
Q24: What financial statements do a firm need?
Q25: What financial statements should I submit if my company is a startup business or operating less than 12 months?
Q26: What tax information should an applicant firm submit?
Q27: What happens after a firm becomes certified?
Q28: How can a firm capitalize on being a certified supplier of the council?
Q29: In general, are there some other basic questions an applicant firm should consider?
Q30: Frequently asked questions about the role of the _acronym in the Certification process?
Q31: What is the role of the _acronym in the Certification process?
To qualify for an MBE Certification, a business must be at least 51% owned, operated, and controlled by an American ethnic minority group member that is a U. S. citizen, physically located in the State(s) this council serves, and authorized by the State and County to do business. Minority status constitutes anyone belonging to one of following ethnic groups:
- Asian-Indian*
- Asian-Pacific*
- Black*
- Hispanic*
- Native American*
*Minority Group For purposes of NMSDCs program, a minority group member is an individual who is a U.S. citizen (not a green card holder) with at least 1/4 or 25% minimum (documentation to support claim of 25% required from applicant) of the following:
Asian-Indian | A U.S. citizen whose origins are from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. |
Asian-Pacific | A U.S. citizen whose origins are from Japan, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan, Korea, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, the Philippines, Thailand, Samoa, Guam, the U.S. Trust Territories of the Pacific or the Northern Marianas. |
Black | A U.S. citizen having origins in any of the Black racial groups of Africa. |
Hispanic | A U.S. citizen of true-born Hispanic heritage, from any of the Spanish-speaking areas of the following regions: Mexico, Central America, South America and the Caribbean Basin only. Brazilians shall be listed under Hispanic designation for review and Certification purposes. |
Native American | A person who is an American Indian, Eskimo, Aleut or Native Hawaiian, and regarded as such by the community of which the person claims to be a part. Native Americans must be documented members of a North American tribe, band or otherwise organized group of native people who are indigenous to the continental United States and proof can be provided through a Native American Blood Degree Certificate (i.e., tribal registry letter, tribal roll register number). |
*NMSDC’s definition of Sole Proprietorship is a company owned/operated 100% by one (1) individual or married couple. Split ownership does not constitute Sole Proprietorship.
A2: Does an applicant
have to be U.S. Citizenship to qualify for MBE Certification?
Yes. An applicant must be an U.S.
citizen either by birth or naturalization and must have the appropriate documentation. A permanent resident or a “Green Card” holder does not qualify.
No; the NMSDC guidelines require that an applicant must be a US citizen. Green card holders are not US citizens.
A4: What is the location of the _acronym’s office?
_councilName (_acronym)
_mainCity, _mainSt _mainZip
Phone | _mainPhone |
Fax | _mainFax |
_infoEmail |
A5: What are North America Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes?
Major corporations use NAICS codes and key word to identify business opportunities. If your NAICS code is not precise and concise, you will miss out on potential business opportunities. Please be smart about the selection of your code(s). Major corporations are not looking for a “jack-of-all-trades.” They are looking for functional experts. North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) is an industry classification system that groups' establishments into industry sectors based on the activities in which they are primarily engaged. The NAICS code is a comprehensive system covering the entire field of economic activities, producing and non-producing. This system replaces the former Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) designations. Corporate America as well as some local, state, and federal government entities use NAICS codes. You are required to identify your businesses' NAICS designation code. The NMSDC and corporate buying groups use NAICS codes to identify certified MBEs. You may use up to 6 separate NAICS codes. Six digit NAICS codes are required.
You may locate the NAICS code at your local public library or on the Internet. The Website address is www.naics.com.
There is a non-refundable processing fee for Certification.
No. _acronym Certification is ethnicity-based rather than gender-based. A Certification applicant must fall into one of the above ethnic minority categories to qualify. The _acronym does not certify "non-minority" female-owned businesses. Please visit our web site and look for LINKS.
No. _acronym Certification is ethnicity-based rather than income-based or wealth-based. Most public sector (local, state or federal government, etc.) entities operate within the SDBE arena. If you are looking for another type of Certification, please visit our web site and look for LINKS.
Certification fees are good for 12 months. Your MBE certificate will have an anniversary date. Certification anniversary dates are always the last day of the month that your firm was certified and will not be permitted to change.
ReCertification dues are $_MBERecert and are due on your Certification anniversary date.
A12:
Who makes up the membership of the Certification Committee?
The Certification Committee is made up of _acronym Corporate Members (no MBEs are on this committee).
The committee’s role is to analyze and evaluate each applicant against national NMSDC Certification standards.
In summary, the “certifiable MBE” must demonstrate operational and managerial control of the firm and its’ Charter Board (e.g., Board of Director for a corporation or Board of Members/Managers for a Limited Liability Company). This control shall “be real, substantial and continuing and shall go beyond the pro forma ownership of the business as reflected in the ownership documents. If the owners of the business who are non-minorities are disproportionately responsible for the operation and management of the business, then the firm is not controlled by minorities and shall not be considered a certifiable MBE.”
MBE Certification process can be completed within 31 day timeframe. This is the objective of the Certification Committee and staff. However, this timeframe is usually not the norm. The norm is closer to being between 45 to 90 days. This added time is needed to get requested (additional explanations) information from the applicant. If the documentation presented does not demonstrate that the applicant meets the national Certification requirements, the applicant will be contacted formally.The time it takes to be certified is dependent on the firm’s legal structure, the complexity of its ownership structure and the physical location of the firm. However, the process has some built-in statutory activities that must take place. If you application package is not complete, obviously the process will take longer.
NOTE: annually, Certified MBEs have to be re-certified prior to their anniversary date (last day of the month that they were originally certified). The Annual ReCertification Fee is $_MBERecert. The process included a submission of ReCertification Application. ReCertifications, please start the recert process 60 to 90 days before your anniversary date.
7) “OFFICIAL” _acronym WELCOME LETTER from President and MBE Certificate will be faxed. Subsequently, the originals will be mailed.
Third, your initial Certification “anniversary date” is very important. Sixty (60) to ninety (90) days prior to your Certification’s anniversary/expiration date, we recommend you start the reCertification process. You will receive an annual reminder to recertify, but ultimately, you are responsible for the timely processing of your ReCertification. Your ownership of this ReCertification process ensures there is no lapse in your MBE benefits! Your anniversary date will not be “moved or changed” and will remain with your organization throughout the Certified MBE process.
An applicant business, which believes it has been wrongly or incorrectly denied Certification as an MBE or wrongly or incorrectly decertified may file an appeal with the _acronym Board of Directors within thirty (30) days of denial or termination of Certification. The appeal must be signed and dated. The Board will review and make a recommendation. The applicant will be notified in writing by the President of the Board’s decision. The decision of the Board is final.
Any applicant whose application for Certification or Recertification is denied and such denial affirmed, may after one year, reply for Certification upon the submission of information indicating a change in status or other circumstances that prevented Certification or which caused a denial or termination of Certification.
- Non-refundable processing fee
- Fill out the current _acronym Application (Please fill out all applicable fields. If field is not applicable please write N/A)
- Certificate of Incorporation
- Articles of Incorporation
- Stock Certificates (front and rear) and Stock Ledger**
- Minutes to Board of Director's meetings and Shareholder’s meetings.
- Bylaws (executed and attested) – basically, who is the president and how will the stock be held?
- Amendments (if applicable)
- Any agreement(s) pertaining to the ownership, operation, and control of business
- Business cards of all principals with appropriate corporate titles
- Resumes of all principals
- Copy of Driver's Licenses of all principals
- Proof of US Citizenship (Birth certificates or U.S. Passports only) of all principals
- Corporate Bank Resolution Agreement(s) including Bank Signature Card
- Business Location Lease Agreement(s) (Security Deeds, it home-based)
- Equipment Lease Agreement(s) if applicable
- Insurance Agreement(s) if applicable
- Copy of the businesses' executed cancelled check (front and rear)
** Stock Certificates -- For incorporated businesses, provide a copy of all Stock Certificates. Certificates should reflect the total stock distribution (e.g.,
who owns what quantity of shares). If some of the shares that have not yet been issued, provide a statement (signed, dated and attested by the appropriate corporate officers)
of the number of shares that are outstanding.
- Non-refundable processing fee
- Fill out _acronym Application (Please fill out all applicable fields. If field is not applicable please write N/A)
- Partnership Agreement (executed and attested)
- Amendments to the Partnership Agreement (if applicable)
- Any additional agreements pertaining to the partnership ownership, operation and control of business
- Minutes of partnership meetings
- Business cards for all partners
- Resumes of all partners
- Copy of Driver's Licenses of all partners
- Proof of Citizenships (Birth certificates or U.S. Passports only) of all partners
- Bank Resolution Agreements including Bank Signature Card
- Business Lease Agreement(s)
- Equipment Lease Agreement(s)
- Insurance Agreement(s)
Copy of executed cancelled check on partnership's bank account (front and rear).
- Non-refundable processing fee
- Fill out _acronym Application (Please fill out all applicable fields. If field is not applicable please write N/A)
- Certificate of Organization
- Articles of Organization
- Unit Certificates (front and rear) for all principals and Unit Ledger Book
- Operating Agreement (executed and attested)
- Amendments (if applicable)
- Any agreements pertaining to the ownership, operation and control of LLC
- Business cards on all principals with appropriate LLC titles
- Resumes of all principals
- Copy of Driver's Licenses on all principals
- Proof of Citizenships (Birth certificates or U.S. Passports only) on all principals
- Bank Resolution Agreements including Bank Signature Card
- Business Location Lease Agreement(s)
- Equipment Lease Agreement(s)
- Insurance Agreement(s)
- Copy of executed cancelled check on the LLC's bank account.
- Minutes to Board of Manager's Meeting
- Non-refundable processing fee
- Fill out _acronym Application (Please fill out all applicable fields. If field is not applicable please write N/A)
- Certificate of Limited Liability Partnership
- Articles of Organization
- Operating Agreement(s)
- Unit Certificates
- Any Amendments
- Any agreements pertaining to the ownership, operation and control of LLP
- Business cards on all partners
- Resumes of all partners
- Copy of Driver's Licenses on all partners
- Proof of Citizenships (Birth certificates or U.S. Passports only) on all partners
- Bank Resolution Agreements including Bank Signature Card
- Business Location Lease Agreement(s)
- Equipment Lease Agreement(s)
- Insurance Agreement(s)
- Copy of executed cancelled check on the partnership's bank account.
None! Neither the _acronym nor the NMSDC certifies JVs (Call _acronym for clarification).
The National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) requires one (1) full year (e.g., twelve months - no exception) of financial statements be submitted regardless of the length of time you have been in business (prepare proforma statement shall be used to complete the remainder of the year). Financial statements mean the following: Balance Sheet, Profit & Loss Statement, and Statement of Cash Position.
- Beginning Balance Sheet & Source and Use Statement
- Actual Profit and Loss Statement for the length of time you have been in business
- Actual Cash Flow Statement for the length of time you have been in business
- Proforma (projected) Profit and Loss Statement for the remaining months equaling 12 months.
- Proforma (projected) Cash Flow statement for the remaining months equaling 12 months.
- Ending Balance Sheet -If your Business runs on a Fiscal year, submit documents for a twelve month period coinciding with the fiscal year period.
If your Business has been operating for less than 12 months (e.g., two-months for example), you should submit actual financial statements for the two-month operations and pro-forma for the remaining ten-(10) month, totaling 12 months.
NMSDC policy requires submission of your Business Tax Return for the two preceding year. If you have been in business for more than a year and have not filed taxes, submit a copy of the previous year's tax return and a copy of your Automatic Extension Agreement.For Start-up Businesses, please write a letter indicating you are a start-up business and have not filed taxes and submit two years of personal tax returns.
Upon payment of dues, a Certificate and Welcome letter will be submitted to new certified supplier. In addition, a User-Name and Password will be issued for access into the _acronym database available on our Website. Certified supplier will obtain access to all MBE, government agencies and corporate representatives affiliated with the council. A complete database including contact names, mailing addresses and e-mail addresses will be available. Certified supplier will also have access to on-line Bid Opportunities submitted by our corporate and government members. All new certified suppliers will be invited to upcoming New Certified MBEs Orientation, Bi-monthly luncheons, and all other _acronym/NMSDC sponsored networking and procurement functions.
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6) Continue to effect the successful operations of your business by offering quality, timely, and professional services.
Are you familiar with your potential corporate customer’s knowledge management system? Is it explicit based? Is it tacit based? Is it a combo (explicit/tacit) based?
- The Ethnic minority* owns at least 51% of the firm, is a US citizen, have an office physically located in the state this council serves, and is authorized to do business in this state.
- The Ethnic minority* is involved in the day-to-day business and has the appropriate title(s).
- The Ethnic minority* is in “control.” The control must be real and absolute.* Native American Indian, Black, Hispanic, Asian-Indian or Asian-Pacific
However, since applicants come into the Certification process with different levels of business expertise and tacit corporate or LLC operational knowledge, some applicants may need assistance with the Certification package. Please be reminded that in most communities (or within a close proximity) there are sources of support for new or newly created firms. For example, either your firm’s professional advisors – legal and accountant team -- or Board of Directors if incorporated or Board of Managers or Members if a limited liability company -- are potential sources. In addition, if your firm is located near either a public-supported college or university, the college or university may have a “Small Business Development Centers” or a “Minority Business Development Center.” Either the SBDC or MBDC is a perfect consulting source. To make the most of the Certification timeline, the Certification Committee suggests that each applicant evaluate the needs for assistance before the applicant submits the firm’s package.