CERTIFICATION RESOURCES

Click below to view additional resources:

CERT Program
Minnesota Midwest Supplier Development Council
Procurement Technical Assistance Center
MEDA
Minnesota Department of Transportation
SBA Minnesota
Women Venture

The Minnesota Department of Administration

Targeted Group/Economically Disadvantaged (TG/ED) Small Business Program
The Materials Management Division (MMD) operates a program for Targeted Group and Economically Disadvantaged small businesses. The program has been in effect since July 1, 1990.

Businesses eligible to participate in this program must first of all be Minnesota-based small businesses. MMD sets variable size standards by industry in order to determine what is a small business. In setting the size standards, nationally published data on businesses in each industry is analyzed to determine the size of businesses that dominate that particular market. Using this approach, MMD has set a size limit that for some industries is $1 million in annual gross sales, for other industries the limit may be as high as $10 million or more in annual gross sales.

The commissioner of Administration periodically designates businesses that are majority-owned and operated by women, persons with a substantial physical disability, or specific minorities as targeted group businesses within purchasing categories as determined by the commissioner.

Targeted Group small businesses must be certified as such by MMD in order to participate in the program. By being certified with the MMD, the business may also be eligible to participate in similar state-funded programs operated by the Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) and several Metropolitan Agencies.

To be certified as a Targeted Group small business, the business must be at least 51% owned by a woman, racial minority, or person with a substantial physical disability. In addition, the business must be operated and controlled on a day-to-day as well as long-term basis by the qualifying owner. In other words, ownership is not enough; operational control is also required.

Once certified, Targeted Group small businesses may be eligible for up to 6% preference in selling their products or services or bidding on construction projects to the state in accordance with the Commissioner's designation of eligible businesses. In addition, we have the authority to set goals which require prime contractors to subcontract a portion of the work to certified Targeted Group businesses on contracts for construction or consulting services.

To be certified as an Economically Disadvantaged small business, the business must be located (or the owner must reside) in an Economically Disadvantaged Area in Minnesota. These areas include labor surplus areas, as designated by the federal government, and low income counties in Minnesota. Economically Disadvantaged small businesses must be certified as such by MMD in order to participate in the program.

Certified Economically Disadvantaged small businesses may be eligible for up to 6% preference in selling their products or services to the state, and may be eligible for up to 4% preference on construction projects.

Once certified, TG and ED vendors are added to the state's vendor list, and are listed in the Directory of Certified TG/ED Vendors.

Additional eligibility criteria for the above programs are contained in Minnesota Rules, Chapter 1230. You may obtain a copy by calling the MMD HelpLine at 651.296.2600.

An application form is available for download here. Additional information about the program and state purchasing can be obtained by contacting our HelpLine at mmdhelp.line@state.mn.us or 651.296.2600

Metropolitan Council

U.S. DOT Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program 

The Metropolitan Council uses the U.S. DOT DBE program with federally funded transit-related projects.

The Metropolitan Council's Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program and goal request for fiscal year 2009 has been submitted to the Federal Transportation Administration (FTA), pursuant to Part 26 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Chapter 49. When approved, the Council's overall DBE goal of 15% for DOT-assisted contracts will be effective from October 2, 2008 through September 30, 2009. This goal and a description of how it was set are available for inspection during normal business hours at the Council offices for 45 days from the date of this notice. Comments, which are for information purposes only, may be sent to the Director, Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity, Metropolitan Council, 390 Robert Street North, St Paul, MN 55101; or the U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 7th St., SW, Washington, DC 20590.

The Council's DBE Program confirms its commitment to utilize businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals in our procurement and contracting efforts.

The directory of Disadvantaged Business Enterprise contractors, consultants and concessionaires is compiled and certified by the Minnesota Unified Certification Program (MnUCP). The MnUCP consists of staff from the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC), the Metropolitan Council and the Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT). The MnUCP assumes no responsibility for determining the competence and financial responsibility of any DBE Subcontractor. The Prime Contractor shall ascertain that any proposed DBE is experienced and equipped for the intended work.
Contact Information

MAC's Office of Diversity - 612-726-8193
Metropolitan Council's Office of Diversity - 612-349-7463
Mn/DOT's Office of Civil Rights - 651-366-3015