An overview of local certification programs

City of Milwaukee Milwaukee county

Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage DistrictVeolia water

Presenters

Maribel Aguilar– City of Milwaukee

Office of Small Business Development

Peter Coffaro – Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District

Procurement & Business Development

Barbara Brown-Veolia Water

Procurement Manager

Truphosa Mwololo– Milwaukee County

Certification & Compliance Administrator

WHAT WE DO

Actively expand a business enterprise community through assisting and protecting the interests of individuals who are at a disadvantage in order to promote and encourage full and open competition in the city

Promote job creation through the development and expansion of business enterprises

Enhance opportunities for individuals, who are at a disadvantage, so that they may successfully compete in mainstream markets.

Shared resources

E-NOTIFY

B2GNOW

DOING BUSINESS WITH THE CITY OF MILWAUKEEQuestions to consider…

Does the City purchase the goods, services and/or professional services I provide?

Do I have the capacity to provide the good, services and/or professional services?

Am I willing to actively respond to Bids and RFP’s?

SBE CERTIFICATION

The basics:

Race and gender neutral program

Application processing timeframe: 45-60 days

Processing Fee: $50

Certification valid for 3 years

City of Milwaukee does not participate in the Unified Certification Program (UCP) and does not accept other certifications.

Certification Criteria…

A business must meet the following certification requirements:

  The business shall be a U.S.-based business which is independently owned,

operated and controlled and is not dominant in its field of operation, or an affiliate or subsidiary of a business dominant in its field of operation.

The business shall meet the size standards of the United States Small Business Administration (SBA).

The business shall have demonstrated capacity to perform independently or as a subcontractor relative to its field of operation.

The business shall not be owned, operated and controlled by individuals or groups of individuals, who own, operate and control a large business involved in the same category of work as the business for which SBE certification status is sought. 

Certification Criteria…

The business shall be operational for at least one year prior to certification.

The owner shall control the day-to-day critical operations of the firm.

The owner or owners shall be citizens or permanent, legal residents of the United States

The business shall be at least 51% owned, operated and controlled by one or more persons who are at an economic disadvantage and who is experiencing substantial difficulty in achieving business-related success a result of at least 3 of the following:

1. At a disadvantage with respect to business location.

2. At a disadvantage with respect to education.

3. At a disadvantage with respect to employment.

4. At a social disadvantage.

How We Help…

• Promote SBE participation on ALL contracts and private development projects

• Promote partnerships that engage small business firms

• Encourage small business development

Helpful Tips…

Certification does not guarantee a contract award.

Seek certification prior to soliciting work to fulfill SBE requirements on City contracts.

Accurately articulate your business

Submit fair bids - Overbidding and underbidding can diminish your contracting opportunities.

Exhibit excellent customer service.

Network, network, network!

OSBD Contacts…

Nikki Purvis– Manager Michelle Kaczmarowski– Contract Compliance Officer

Dontreal Teague – Business Analyst Maribel Aguilar– Business Analyst

Main 414-286-5553

Fax 414-286-8752

Website - city.milwaukee.gov/OSBD

City Hall Room 606 200 East Wells Street Milwaukee, WI 53202

Questions?