Below are questions frequently asked about certification in general. For specifics about the NWBOC application process, click here.
Why is certification necessary?
Simply put, certification is often required by the private and public sectors in order to do business with them. Certification enables contractors to identify, quantify and report the extent to which they utilize woman-owned businesses as suppliers. Certification can result in a marketing opportunity for your business to develop supplier relationships with larger companies and the public (government) sector.
Who accepts WBE Certification?
Hundreds of private sector companies and some government entities accept multiple kinds of certification, including WBE Certification.
What is the difference between third-party certification and government certification?
Third party certification is geared to the private sector. NWBOC is a third-party certifier, denoting that an independent entity other than the vendor business owner or the corporate purchasing entity is ensuring that the vendor is in fact woman-owned. For doing business with a government entity, in most cases each city, county, state and federal agency has their own type of certification program and most are individual to that city, county, or state. However, due to pressure being brought by women business groups and minority business groups, the trend is to have government entities accept other sources of certification in addition to their own certification program. Changing the system in this way is a very slow process, but beneficial to the business owner who finds herself having to get multiple certifications for different purposes.
Should I apply for government or third-party certification?
If you are only interested in being a vendor/supplier to any government entity, it is recommended that you contact each specific agency to obtain their requirements. If you are more interested in doing work in the private sector, particularly with large publicly traded companies, WBE Certification by a third-party certifier is recommended. Keep in mind that many times a small business enters the government arena as a subcontractor to a large corporation who has won a government contract. As a subcontracting vendor with WBE Certification, the large corporation can count your participation toward WBE utilization goals set by the government as part of their contract.
What is the difference between 8(a), Small Disadvantaged Business, Disabled Veteran, Woman Business Enterprise,
Minority Business Enterprise certifications?
The first three are administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA.) The 8(a) designation is actually a business development / mentoring program for a company that has been disadvantaged, and 8(a) certification is part of that program. Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB) certification is for businesses that are disadvantaged but are not participating in the 8(a) development program. Disabled Veteran (DV) certification is for the business owner who is a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces and who has been disabled in action. Woman Business Enterprise (WBE) certification is gender-based for woman-owned businesses. Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) certification is race-based for minority-owned businesses.
What other agencies certify?
The U.S. Small Business Administration can be contacted regarding participation in the 8(a) program, or to obtain the Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB) certification as well as the Disabled Veterans (DV) certification. Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) certification is done through the National Minority Supplier Development Council (formerly known as the Minority Supplier Council, or MSC.) Their website is www.nmsdc.org. MBE certification is for Hispanic, Asian, Black, and other racial minorities. We, NWBOC, provide WBE Certification for females, regardless of race.
Why don't men have to go through this certification process?
They do if they are seeking 8(a), SDB, MBE or DV certification. There is no existing "Man Business Enterprise" program.
