FAQs

• My company is based in another state, but I have a field office in Connecticut. Is my company eligible for certification?
  Answer:

  No, the company’s principal place of business must be located in Connecticut.

• What is a microbusiness preference?
  Answer:

  The microbusiness preference (C.S.S. 4a-59) is not part of the Supplier Diversity/Set-Aside Program; however, companies whose gross revenues are less than $3,000,000 are also considered to be microbusinesses.   There is no certification for a microbusiness.  If you company qualifies as a microbusiness, the Contracting Agency may give a 10% price preference to microbusinesses when evaluating bid responses and a 15% price preference to veteran-owned microbusinesses certified by the Connecticut Department of Veteran’s affairs (DVA).  Questions about microbusiness preferences may be directed to DAS Contracting Staff at 860-713-5095. Questions about the Veteran’s microbusiness certification may be directed to the DVA Opens in a new window Opens in a new window

   

   

• How long is the certification period?
  Answer: The certificate is valid for a period not to exceed two years.
• What State agencies participate in the Supplier Diversity Program?
  Answer: All executive branch State agencies with a budget of more than $10,000 are required to make a good faith effort to set aside 25% of their purchases for certified small or minority business enterprises.
• Is there a directory of companies certified through the Office of Supplier Diversity?
  Answer: Yes. - Directory of certified SBE/MBE companies Opens in a new window.
• Is the Small Business Enterprise/Minority Business Enterprise Certificate (SBE/MBE) the same as the Prequalification certification?
  Answer: No. These are two separate programs with different purposes.

  • The Supplier Diversity (Set-Aside) Program certifies Connecticut based businesses as a “Small Business (SBE)” or “Minority Business (MBE)”.  This enables them to compete for contracts set-aside for SBE/MBE companies only.
  • The Construction Contractor Prequalification program is designed to pre-screen certain criteria of Construction Contractors enabling them to bid on Public Works projects >$1,000,000.  

  
  Both programs are administered by the DAS.

  Questions about the Supplier Diversity Program can be directed to 860-713-5236

  Questions about the Construction Contractor Prequalification Program can be directed to 860-713-5280.

• How may I find out about bidding opportunities for companies certified in the program?
  Answer: Bidding Opportunities can be found on the State Contracting Portal.
• If my company is certified with the Connecticut Department of Transportation’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program, will it automatically be eligible with the Department of Administrative Services’ Supplier Diversity Program (DAS)?
  Answer: Connecticut companies that are certified by the Department of Transportation and who also meet Supplier Diversity Program’s certification requirements are eligible for certification by the Department of Administrative Services. Due to the differing laws, additional information may be required depending on the company’s business structure.  Your company should be ready to submit current documentation to DAS.
• Are there separate applications for initial Certification and Recertification as there have been in the past?
  Answer: No, there is only one application for the initial certification and renewals. The on-line application will save your company information from year to year, and will automatically keep track of your certification history as well as required documentation for the current certification.
• Can I print a hardcopy of the on-line application?
  Answer: Yes.  To do so, access your application online, and you will see an option to print your application in the menu to the left of the application.
• Once the certification process is complete how do I obtain my Small Business Enterprise Certificate?
  Answer: When the certification is approved, you will receive an e-mail that will provide you a link to print the SBE/MBE Certificate from your own personal computer.
• Do I need a Dun and Bradstreet number to certify with State of Connecticut S/MBE program?
  Answer:

  Yes, you must have a Dun and Bradstreet Number, the following website will provide information on the Dun and Bradstreet program.

  SAM Webform : Home (dnb.com)

• Do I need to register with the Federal System of Awards Management (SAMS) prior to applying to the State of Connecticut Small/Minority Business application?
  Answer:

  Yes, you must register with the Federal System of Awards Management (SAMS).  The following website will provide information on the federal program.

  SAM.gov | Entity Information

  Table of size standards (sba.gov)

• Does the State CT Small/Minority Business Certification program utilize the Federal industry Size Standards?
  Answer:

  Yes,  applicants must provide the North American Industry Classification System Codes (NAICSC)  provided by the Federal System for Awards Management (SAMS). The following websites will provide information on the NAICSC and the SAMS.

  Table of size standards (sba.gov)

• Does a company applying for certification in the State of Connecticut S/MBE program need to be registered in the federal database maintained by the US GS Administration?
  Answer:

  Yes, for profit companies must be registered in the federal database maintained by the United States General Service Administration (SAM).  This MUST be done prior to making application to the State of Connecticut certification program.

  Link and Register with the System for Awards Management (SAM)  SAM.gov | Entity Information