Certification Process & Procedures Michelle Holmes Certification Administrator 407-825-7132 michelle.holmes@goaa.org
Small Business Program Policies GOAA s Small Business Development Department administers six small business program initiatives. DBE Disadvantaged Business Enterprise ACDBE Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise LDB Local Developing Business MWBE Minority/Woman Business Enterprise SBE Small Business Enterprise SDVOBE Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business Enterprise
Certifications At-A-Glance DBE/ACDBE LDB MWBE SBE SDVOBE General Definition Is a for-profit small business that is at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. Is a for-profit small business domiciled in the Local Area that meets the Revenue Limitations. Is a business that is at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more socially disadvantaged individuals Is a business that is at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more socially disadvantaged individuals Is a business that is at least 51% owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans with a 10% disability; for 100% disabled veteran, by a spouse or caregiver of the veteran. PNW Cap $1.31M $750,000 None None $750,000 CM/CMAR $1.5M Business Size Standards Annual gross revenues or number of employees may not exceed the limits applicable to the type of business as defined by the SBA Size Standards. Construction Services -$5M GR Professional Services $2M GR Goods & Services $2M GP None Annual gross revenues or number of employees may not exceed 50% of the limits applicable to the type of business as defined by the US SBA Table of Small Business Size Standards. Construction Services-$5M GR CM/CMAR - SBA Size Standards Professional Services $2M GR Goods & Services - $2M GP Concessions - $7.5M GR Certification Area GOAA is a member of the FL UCP and is responsible for certifying firms in Brevard, Indian River, Lake, Levy, Marion, Orange, Osceola and Volusia Counties. Orange, Seminole, Osceola and Lake State of FL Out of state firms may be certified with proof of current home state certification United States State of FL Brevard, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Polk, Seminole and Volusia Counties Renewal Requirements Certification does not expire. However, it is contingent upon submitting a No Change Declaration on an annual basis. Certifications are granted for a 3 year period. A renewal application must be submitted 90 days prior to the expiration date. Certifications are granted for a 3 year period. A renewal application must be submitted 90 days prior to the expiration date. Certifications are granted for a 1 year period. A renewal application must be submitted 90 days prior to the expiration date. Certifications are granted for a two (2) year period. A renewal application must be submitted 90 days prior to the expiration date. For the purpose of certification all profit and revenue figures for all programs are averaged over the previous three (3) years.
Applying For Certification GOAA uses the Business Diversity Management System also know as B2Gnow to electronically process new certification and renewal applications. Manual submittals are still accepted. However, the processing time is greater than electronic applications. https://goaa.diversitycompliance.com
What is B2Gnow? A compliance and certification system used by 150 organizations across the country including: Florida Agencies City of Orlando City of Pensacola City of Tampa Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority Hillsborough County Jacksonville Transit Authority Leon County Miami Dade County Public Schools Palm Beach County Public Schools Airports Boston Login International Airport Chicago Midway Airport Chicago O Hare International Airport Dallas/Ft. Worth International Airport Denver International Airport Houston Hobby Airport Houston Intercontinental Airport Jackson Municipal Aviation Authority JFK International Airport Kansas City International Airport Kansas City International Airport LaGuardia Airport Los Angeles World Airports Memphis International Airport Nashville International Airport Newark International Airport Pittsburgh Airport Authority Raleigh Durham International Airport San Antonio International Airport St. Louis International Airport Used nationally to monitor $500 billion in contracts and manage 130,000 certified firms Designed to simplify contractor compliance reporting
https://goaa.diversitycompliance.com
Getting Started As part of the application process, you will be required to answer questions and provide documentation that is considered private and confidential. For this reason, you must use a user account to log into the system. Access to your application is strictly limited to the person that creates the application (you), any other specific company staff you authorize (always create new accounts for other employees, do not share accounts), and certification/support staff that you specifically authorize. The application system is secure. All communications between you and the system are encrypted, your company information is stored on computer servers in a secure facility, and confidential data is encrypted at all times.
Online Application Part 1 Accessing the System Access the online certification application system https://goaa.diversitycompliance.com Select one of the three options.
Which Option Do I Choose? Select Option 1 if you have accessed the system before for certification or other functions and know your username and password. Select Option 2 if you have never accessed this system before, but are currently certified by GOAA. An account has already been created for your firm. Select Option 3 if you are not currently certified by GOAA. You will be able to create a new account for your firm. During the process, if a match is found with an existing record, you will be alerted. Accessing the Application If you started with Options 1 or 3, you will be automatically directed to the list of available certification applications. Otherwise, click Apply for Certification after you login on the right side of the Dashboard.
Account Lookup On the Account Lookup page (Option 2), enter information about your firm into one or more fields and click Search. Click Username/Password Reminder in the Search Results for an immediate username/password notice. Search Tips Start with one parameter. Keep search parameters short. All searches are wildcard. The system ignores punctuation. Searches are not case sensitive.
Online Application Part 2 Applying for Certification Click here to start the certification process. The second link will allow you to sign up for a training class which you may find quite helpful if you are new to the system.
The system will then show you a list of all available GOAA certifications. After you have determined which certification(s) you wish to apply for scroll further down the page.
Firms seeking certification with GOAA for the first time should select the second link. Certified firms seeking to renew an existing GOAA certification should select the first link.
Additional statement links pop up for you to choose from. Path for new applicants whose firms are located in FL Path for new applicants whose firms are not located in FL Path for all firms currently certified by GOAA. Choose the link for the certification type you wish to apply for.
Once you have selected the certification you wish to apply for the system will ask you a series of questions to help prevent you from applying for the wrong and/or a certification you may not qualify for. Answer all questions and click continue.
If any question is answered unsatisfactorily, the system will indicate that you are Ineligible for Certification. Review the Reasons for Ineligibility. If you answered any question incorrectly, click Edit and Resubmit to correct your answer(s). If you answered all questions correctly, you are not eligible for the certification you ve attempted to apply for. Click cancel and review the criteria for other certifications you may wish to consider.
If questions are answered satisfactorily, the system will provide a Document List Preview for your review. Download any applicable documents. Check the box and click continue to start application process.
Click on each tab and answer all the questions.
Once all items are addressed in a section click the save & return button. Nothing may be left unaddressed. You may have to enter 0 or N/A to satisfy the system.
Documents Submittal You may submit the required documents electronically or via hard copy. All hardcopy documents must be received to our office before your application can be processed. To submit the documents electronically all required documents must be uploaded and locked in prior to submitting application.
If you cannot finish the application in one session you may exit and come back later. The system will save your work and you can pick up where you left off. Just click the process link when you return to your dashboard.
Once you have successfully answered all questions and uploaded the required documentation you get all green check marks as seen below. Click sign to enter you electronic signature and then submit. Your application has been submitted. If there is a red X and/or you cannot sign and submit your application that means something is wrong. Return to any section without a green check mark and make sure all questions are answered.
Sounds Complicated Part 3 Need Help? B2Gnow has many built in futures features available to help you navigate the certification process. These are great tools and should be utilized prior to growing frustrated with the system. Options Include: Download the Training Manual Sign up for online Training Webinar taught by live instructors Watch Video Tutorials For technical assistance you will need to use the Contact Support link. Issues typically resolved with 48 hours.
Webinars Video Tutorials
For more personalized assistance GOAA has set up a Certification Kiosk. If after exhausting the system resources, you find that you still need assistance, please call our office at 407-825-7136 to schedule an appointment. We will be happy to guide you thru the process. You may also make an appoint if you simply do not have access to the proper equipment and wish to submit your electronic application.
Questions?
Certification Process & Procedures Michelle Holmes Certification Administrator 407-825-7132 michelle.holmes@goaa.org