SMALL BUSINESS CERTIFICATION MANUAL - METRO › ... › 2013 › CertificationManual-011813.pdf · certification application. 5. During the process, if a match is found with an existing

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SMALL BUSINESS CERTIFICATION MANUAL

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS ...................................................................................................... 2

SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM OVERVIEW .................................................................... 3

NEW CERTIFICATION APPLICATION ............................................................................ 11

EXPEDITED APPLICATION ............................................................................................. 24

RECERTIFICATION APPLICATION ................................................................................ 39

GLOSSARY…………………………………………………………………………………….54

FAQ’S…………………………………………………………………………………………...55

FORMS…………………………………………………………………………………………57

CONTACT US………………………………………………………………………………….58

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SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM OVERVIEW

METRO’s policy is to promote equal opportunity and nondiscrimination in all of its procurement matters in accordance with state and federal laws. The

Small/Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (SB/DBE) Program was created to provide additional opportunities for Small Business and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises to participate in contracting and procurement opportunities within METRO. METRO’s

SB/DBE Program operates in a race and gender neutral manner and is designed to include all segments of the region’s business community and is open to participation without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national or ethnic origin, age or disability.

Office of Small Business Role

The Office of Small Business is responsible for the implementation and monitoring of

the SB/DBE Program through Small Business certifications, technical assistance,

professional trainings and contract compliance monitoring. METRO’s Office of Small

Business sets Small Business goals on contracts.

Certification Criteria

Must be in business for at least 6 months Company industry must not exceed SBA size standards Personal net worth of each owner may not exceed $1,320,000 (excluding the

owner’s primary residence and the value of the businesses). One year of personal tax returns for each owner Three (3) years of the firms tax returns

Owner(s) personal net worth statement and notarized Affidavit Complete the METRO on-line certification application

Let’s Get Started

http://www.sba.gov/content/table-small-business-size-standards

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Access the Online Certification Application System

Create Account

1. Go to www.ridemetro.sbdbe.com 2. Click on Apply for Certifications

http://www.ridemetro.sbdbe.com/

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3. If you are not currently certified with METRO, select Create an Account beneath Option 1. You will be able to create a new account for your firm.

4. After you create an account you will be automatically directed to the start of the certification application.

5. During the process, if a match is found with an existing record, you will be

alerted. Once the new account is created, you will automatically be redirected to the start of the certification application. You will also be sent a Username and Password.

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Lookup Account

1. If you have never accessed this system before but are currently certified by METRO, an account has already been created for your firm. Select Lookup Account beneath Option 2.

2. Type a few letters of your company name, in the business name field and click Search.

3. From the list of results select “Username/Password Reminder” and you will

immediately receive your username and password. 4. If you don’t see your e-mail address listed, contact the person who is listed or

contact METRO’s Office of Small Business.

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Login

1. If you have accessed this system before for certification or other related functions (contract/concession compliance, vendor registration) and know your username

and password, select Login beneath Option 3.

2. Type in your username and password into the designated fields. Click Login.

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The very first screen, you will see is Welcome page.

Please take the time to read the information on this page. Under help and support there

is a PDF that downloads the Vendor Quick Guide. This guide can be used as a quick

reference to the system. Click Continue and you will automatically be taken to your

Dashboard.

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Dashboard

From the Dashboard, you can link to anywhere in the system.

To start the certification process, click Apply for Certifications.

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The screen below will appear. Now you are ready to access your desired Certification

Application.

New SBE Applications - Page

Expedited SBE Certification - Page

SBE Recertification Application - Page

Once you click the application of your choice, you must fill in all required fields or you

will not be able to move to the next Section.

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NEW CERTIFICATION APPLICATION

Please read information below. All questions and fields must be answered, before the system

will allow you to move forward. Click Continue, after all questions are answered.

Click Continue. The METRO Personal Net Worth Statement will appear.

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Download Personal Net Worth Statement

Download the Personal Net Worth Statement Form. Fill it out and have it notarized.

Check the box and click Continue. (Note: You can download form and complete it at the end of your certification process. Please make sure you attach it electronically or send in hard copy documents after document has been notarized.)

Sample of a portion of METRO’s Personal Net Worth Statement: Complete a form

for each partner, who has 5% or more ownership of the company. When determining your net worth, EXCLUDE individual ownership interest in the applicants business and personal residence. If married use only ½ of marital assets. Round all numbers to the

nearest dollar.

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Under Sections and Documents there are 3 steps that must be completed, before you

can sign and submit your application. The steps do not have to be completed in order.

Fill in each Session below by clicking the Process buttons.

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Section 1 - Contact Information

Please answer all required fields and click Save & Return.

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Section 2 - Business Profile

Click Process .

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Document List

Click Process.

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Document Submission

Please select the format you will be using for submitting documents for this application:

Electronic or Hardcopy. Once you select the format, all documents for this application

must be provided in the selected format; all electronic or all hardcopy.

If you choose electronically, you will be able to upload all of your documents.

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Electronic Document Submission

Note that some documents are required due to the nature of your firm. Failure to submit

the attachments without an explanation as to why any such attachment was not

provided will result in a delay in processing and/or could result in denial.

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Hardcopy Document Submission

Hardcopy documents only. Mark each document as acknowledged or not applicable.

Click the Lock In button. Then click Return in each session.

You must indicate that you have reviewed and acknowledged each document that must

be included with your application or indicated that it is not applicable to your firm or

situation. Select the checkboxes and click Mark Selected As Acknowledged or click

Mark Selected as Not Applicable. Once all documents are marked as acknowledged

or not applicable, this section will be complete. Click Return in each session.

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To finalize your application, click Sign to submit your electronic signature.

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Type the owner’s name in the Signature box. Check the box. Click Sign

Application.

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This screen will appear. Check the box then click Submit Application. Your

application process is complete.

METRO has a 30 day certification process. The process will not begin until all

documents are submitted. Incomplete applications will be deleted after 90 days.

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EXPEDITED APPLICATION

This application is for firms that are currently Disadvantage Business Enterprise (DBE) certified by the following qualifying agencies:

o Texas Unified Certification Program (TUCP) o City of Houston- DBE o City of Austin - DBE

o Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority o North Central Texas Regional Certification Agency - DBE o South Central Texas Regional Certification Agency - DBE

o Texas Department of Transportation (DOT) approved DBE Certification

From the Dashboard..Click Apply for Certifications.

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Click Expedited SBE Certification.

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Please read information below. All questions and fields must be answered before the system will allow you to move forward. Click Continue after all questions are

answered.

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Document List Preview

Check the box below and click continue to start the application process. (Only

Disadvantage Business Enterprise (DBE) firms can fill out the Expedited SBE

Certification).

DBE Firms do not have to complete the Personal Net Worth Statement.

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Section 1 - Contact Information


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Section 2 - Business Profile

Click Process.

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Document List

Click Process.

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Document Submission





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Hard Copy Document Submission

Hardcopy documents only. This document checklist is for informational purposes.

Mark each document as acknowledged or not applicable. Click the Lock In button.

Then click Return in each session.






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Type the owner’s name in the Signature box. Check the box. Click Sign Application.

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This screen will appear. Check the box. Click Submit Application. Your application

process is complete.

METRO has a 30 day certification process. The process will not begin until all

documents are submitted. Incomplete applications will be deleted after 90 days.

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RECERTIFICATION APPLICATION

From the Dashboard, you can link to anywhere in the system.

To start the certification process, click Apply for Certifications.

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The screen below will appear. Now you are ready to access your desired Certification

Application.

New SBE Applications - Page

Expedited SBE Certification - Page

SBE Recertification Application - Page

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Once you click the application of your choice, you must fill in all required fields or

you will not be able to move to the next Section.

RECERTIFICATION APPLICATION

Please read information below. All questions and fields must be answered, before the system

will allow you to move forward. Click Continue after all questions are answered.

Click Continue. The METRO Personal Net Worth Statement will appear.

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Download Personal Net Worth Statement

Download the Personal Net Worth Statement Form. Fill it out and have it notarized.

Check the box and click Continue. (Note: You can download form and complete it at the end of your certification process. Please make sure you attach it electronically or send in hard copy documents after document has been notarized.)

Sample of a portion of METRO’s Personal Net Worth Statement: Complete a form for each partner, who has 5% or more ownership of the company. When determining your net worth, EXCLUDE individual ownership interest in the applicants business and

personal residence. If married use only ½ of marital assets. Round all numbers to the nearest dollar.

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Section 1 – Contact Information

Answer all required fields and click Save & Return.

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Section 2 – Business Profile

Click Process.

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Answer all required fields and click Save & Return.

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Document List

Click Process.

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Document Submission





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Hardcopy Document Submission

Hardcopy documents only. Mark each document as acknowledged or not applicable.

Click the Lock In button. Then click Return in each session.






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Type the owner’s name in the Signature box. Check the box. Click Sign

Application.

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This screen will appear. Check the box then click Submit Application. Your

application process is complete.

METRO has a 30 day certification process. The process will not begin, until all

documents are submitted.

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GLOSSARY

Small Business Enterprise (SBE) – a firm for which the gross revenues or number of

employees averaged over the past three years, inclusive of any affiliates as defined by

13 C.F.R. § 121.103, does not exceed the size standards as defined pursuant to

Section 3 of the Small Business Act and for which the net worth of each owner does not

exceed $1.32 Million Dollars. Certified Disadvantaged Businesses are defined herein to

be a Small Business.

Small Business Enterprise (SBE) – a firm, regardless of race or gender, whose personal

net worth does not exceed $1.32M and meets Small Business Administration Industry

Size Standards.

Certified Small Businesses – a small business, as defined herein whose application to

participate in the Program has been received and approved and is eligible for

participation in the Program.

Certified Disadvantaged Business – disadvantaged business, as defined herein, whose

application to participate in the Program has been received and approved and is eligible

for participation in the Program. A Certified Disadvantaged Business must meet the

requirements for a Small Business defined herein.

Certified SBE/DBE Business – a small business or disadvantaged business, whose

application to participate in the Program has been received and approved and is eligible

for participation in the Program.

Disadvantaged Business or Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) – DBEs are for-profit small business concerns where socially and economically disadvantaged individuals own at least a 51% interest and also control management and daily business operations.

African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, Asian-Pacific and Subcontinent Asian Americans, and women are presumed to be socially and economically disadvantaged. Other individuals can also qualify as socially and economically disadvantaged on a

case-by-case basis.

METRO Nondiscrimination Mandate – the policy of METRO to prohibit discrimination

based on race, color, sex, religion, national or ethnic origin, age or disability.

Discriminatory conduct by Contractors or Certified Small Businesses or Disadvantaged

Businesses in the operation of the Program violates this mandate.

METRO Small Business/Disadvantaged Business Program or SBE/DBE Program – the

goal-oriented Program to provide full and fair procurement opportunities to Certified

Small Businesses and Certified Disadvantaged Businesses at METRO.

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ANSWERS TO: MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

A company must be in business for a minimum of 6 months prior to becoming METRO

Small Business Enterprise (SBE) certified.

If a firm has been in business for less than a year and does not have company taxes, the owner(s) must provide 3 years of personal taxes. (An owner is anyone owning 5% or more ownership of the company).

Anyone owning 5% or more ownership of the certifying firm must fill out METRO’s Personal Net Worth Statement and have it notarized.

METRO’s Personal Net Worth Statement must be completed by each owner, even if the

owners are married.

METRO accepts the following certifications in addition to the METRO Small Business certification:

TUCP: Texas Unified Certification Program DBE Disadvantaged Business Enterprise

o City of Houston- DBE o City of Austin - DBE o Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority

o North Central Texas Regional Certification Agency - DBE o South Central Texas Regional Certification Agency - DBE o Texas Department of Transportation (DOT) approved DBE Certification

Unacceptable Certifications

Unfortunately we are not able to accept the following certifications due to the differences in certification criteria.

**HUB – Texas Historically Underutilized Business

**MBE Only Certification – Minority Business Enterprise **WBE Only Certification – Women Business Enterprise **City of Houston SB Only Certification (We only accept the City’s DBE’s)

Houston Minority Supplier Development Council

How to become DBE (Disadvantaged Business Enterprise) Certified? Only the City of Houston’s Office of Business Development provides the DBE certification in Houston, Texas. The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program

requires that any individual or group claiming ownership of a disadvantaged business enterprise must own at least 51% of the organization to be classified as eligible to participate. Applications for Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program certification

can be downloaded from the City of Houston website at www.houstontx.gov or picked up at the Office of Business Development at 611 Walker, Houston, Texas. If a company

http://www.dot.state.tx.us/business/tucp/default.htm

http://www.houstontx.gov/

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is currently certified as a DBE and is not part of the METRO SB Program, it can register in the METRO SB Program by providing a copy of the current DBE certificate.

What do I do, if I forgot my Password?

If you forget your B2GNow login and password, please visit the site at www.ridemetro.sbdbe.com and do the following:

1. Click on “Forgot Password.”

2. Click on “Look it up.” 3. Put in the name of your company. 4. Click on “Send a reminder.”

After you have done these steps; the B2G System will send your login name and your password to your registered e-mail account. If your e-mail account has changed and you are not able to access the B2GNOW account, please contact Shurronda Murray at

713-739-4845.

http://www.ridemetro.sbdbe.com/

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FORMS

METRO’s Personal Net Worth Statement

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OFFICE OF SMALL BUSINESS STAFF CONTACT

Main Number 713-739-4844

Kimberly Williams [email protected] FTA DBE Liaison Vice President of Small Business

713-739-4992

Karen Hudson [email protected]

Director of Small Business Compliance 713-739-6048

Tiko Hausman

[email protected] Compliance & Program Advisor Manager 713-739-6032

Shurronda Murray

[email protected] Small Business Certification Specialist 713-739-4845

Stanley Jones [email protected] Small Business Compliance Specialist

713-739-4854

Kamesha Guidry [email protected]

Small Business Coordinator 713-739-4688

Toinette Wright [email protected]

Executive Assistant IV 713-739-6041

mailto:[email protected]





