¿Qué tipos de certificaciones están disponibles para las empresas?

---

Los diferentes tipos de certificaciones incluyen:

Nacional - Típicamente requerido por las empresas que cotizan en bolsa para cumplir con los Proveedores de Programas de Diversidad

Federal - Requiere el registro de SAM incluye contratos de proveedor único

DOT - Carreteras, Autopistas, Puentes, Aeropuertos y Concesiones en Aeropuertos

Estado - Algunos Estados, pero no todos, tienen Certificaciones para Mujeres y/o Minorías

Local - Algunos condados y ciudades tienen un proceso de certificación local

Contacta con nosotras

---

¿Qué son las certificaciones?

---

Diferentes certificaciones tienen diferentes acrónimos. Por Ejemplo:

WBE = Women Business Enterprise (Empresa de Negocios de Mujeres)

MBE = Minority Business Enterprise (Empresa de Negocios de Minorías)

DBE = Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (Empresa de Negocios de Desfavorecidos).

LGBTE = Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Enterprise (Empresa lesbiana, homosexual, bisexual y transgénero)

WOSB = Woman Owned Small Business (Negocios Pequeños Perteneciente a Mujeres)

DOBE = Disabled Owned Business Enteprise

Los Estados y Ciudades pueden tener otras siglas de certificación, incluyendo la combinación de ellos, como WMBE o M/WBE.

Esta no es una lista completa, pero pretende darle una idea de lo que usted y su empresa pueden conseguir si califica.

Contacta con nosotras ​​​​​​​

---

¿Qué certificación es adecuada para mí y mi empresa?

---

Depende, La mejor manera de decidir es determinar qué certificación o certificaciones son aceptadas por sus clientes actuales. Si va tras clientes diferentes o diversos como parte de su estrategia de mercado puede optar por buscar una certificación específica para satisfacer las necesidades de este nuevo mercado.

Por ejemplo: si desea vender al Gobierno Federal, y usted es una mujer, debe considerar el WOSB. Si actualmente vende al Gobierno Federal, ¡entonces sin duda deberías seguir el WOSB!

Contacta con nosotras ​​​​​​​

---

¿Califico para la certificación?

---

Quizás….

Usted debe ser un Individuo que califique. Un Individuo que califique es generalmente una mujer o una minoría reconocida que posee, administra y controla el 51% o más de la Compañía.

Tenga en cuenta:

• Lo que califica como minoría puede variar de una certificación a otra.
• También debe poseer la capacidad de dirigir su empresa independientemente de un individuo no calificado.
• Algunas certificaciones requieren ciudadanía estadounidense, mientras que otras requieren residencia legal.
• Alrededor del 60% de la información requerida para la certificación es la misma para casi todas las certificaciones, pero puede haber una gran variedad de documentación requerida.
• La documentación requerida es mínima, para ser considera para la certificación.
  • Esté preparado para proporcionar más de la documentación mínima requerida y para poder responder a cada incoherencia con la documentación de apoyo.

Nota: Aun si cumple con los criterios como individuo calificado, es posible que el modelo de negocio de su empresa no sea elegible para la Certificación.

*Los requisitos y la elegibilidad pueden variar de certificación en certificación.

Contacta con nosotras

---

¿Califica mi empresa para una certificación?

---

No todos los modelos de negocio califican para certificación. Cada certificación tiene sus propios requisitos, pero generalmente, su empresa debe producir un bien o servicio a menos que sea estándar en la industria.

Por ejemplo: Un agente inmobiliario no es propietario de la propiedad que está vendiendo, pero sí aporta valor añadido a la transacción y es el modelo de la industria en bienes raíces. No puedes bajar a la esquina y comprar una propiedad. También es irrazonable para un agente de bienes raíces poseer realmente toda la propiedad que está vendiendo.

Por lo general, los corredores y las sociedades de cartera no son elegibles. Hay restricciones en las franquicias.

Contacta con nosotras

---

¿Por qué debo obtener la certificación?

---

La certificación es una herramienta de mercado (comercialización). No te ayudará a menos que usted lo uses. Usted debe considerar la certificación si usted tiene un B2B (los negocios entre empresas) y….

• Si su Producto o Servicio está dirigido a Corporaciones o Comercio.
• Si su Producto o Servicio está dirigido a Agencias Federales, Estatales o Locales.
• Usted trabaja con o para el Departamento de Transporte de su Estado (DOT).
• Desea ser incluido en los bases de datos de búsqueda para empresas y agencias gubernamentales que tienen requisitos de diversidad de proveedores.
• Si sus clientes han solicitado una certificación específica.

---

¿Por qué me negarían una certificación?

---

Alrededor del 20% de nuestros clientes han sido previamente negados y son mujeres o empresas de propiedad minoritaria que administran y controlan su empresa. La documentación que presentaron o las respuestas que proporcionaron en la visita al sitio o en la solicitud no cumplían con los requisitos para la certificación.

Recuerde que la integridad de cada certificación es de gran importancia para el Organismo Certificador. No importa cuán grande, cuán pequeño, qué edad, cuán joven, o cuánto o poco su empresa tiene en ingresos, cada empresa tiene que cumplir requisitos estrictos de certificación, ¡sin excepciones!

Cada Organismo Certificador externo (tercero) es muy bueno para asegurar que solo aquellas empresas que califican y cumplen con estos requisitos, obtengan su Certificación.

Quieres ayda contacta con nosotras

---

How Long Does It Take To Get Certified?

---

It depends. When you submit your Certification Application, it typically takes 60-120 days for the Third Party Certification body to review your application. Most will set up a Site Visit and come out to interview you at your office or work site. Usually you receive a response 2-14 days after your Site Visit. Once you decide to pursue a Certification, it usually takes 4-8 weeks for a company to obtain and assemble the application and required documentation. The total time is typically 4-6 months from Kickoff to you receiving a Certification Determination. HIT Executive Consulting manages your Certification Project, reviews and completes the application, and reviews and assembles the required documentation for submission as part of our Certification Services. We also make sure you are applying for the certification that meets your business needs and that you are aware of the different certifications that are available to you and your company.

---

What Is The Process After Application Submission?

---

1. Your application is received by the certification body and put into a queue. Someone will then review your application to ensure it is complete

a. If it is not complete, they will request the missing documentation. b. If it is complete, but they need additional documentation, they may request it from you. 2. Your application is placed into a queue for a review by a reviewer or a committee. a. Some committees only meet once or twice a month, others more frequently. 3. The Certification Committee/Reviewer will review you application more thoroughly. a. At this point, you may be denied based upon the review of your application and/or supporting documentation. b. The Committee/Reviewer may ask for more information, an explaination, or more supporting documentation. c. Typically this is no more than a couple of questions, although it can be 10 more questions, back and forth, before the Committee makes a decision about a Site Visit. 4. An initial Determination is reached. a. A formal Site Visit and interview is arranged with the qualifying individual. OR b. A Denial Letter is sent out, usually with 1-3 rationales for denial, sometimes with supporting documentation from the specific regulation or requirement that you or your company did not meet. 4. An final Certification Determination is reached. a. You are granted Certification, typically 2-14 days after the site visit. OR b. A Denial Letter is sent out, usually with 1-3 rationales including the site visit interview, that led to the denial, with supporting documentation from the specific regulation or requirement that you or your company did not meet.

---

What Happens If I Am Denied Certification?

---

If you receive a Certification Denial letter you must wait a period of time before attempting to reapply. This timeframe can vary between the different Certification Bodies, but typically is between 6 months to 1 year. If you wish to appeal the Certification Decision, you will have 10-90 days, depending upon the Certification Body, to inform them that you are appealing. You will then be given a specified number of days to provide supporting documentation or information not included in the original application. Keep in mind, each Certificaiton Body has their own rules and requirements around the Certification Denial Appeal process, but typically you are not able to make changes to previously submitted documentation and additional supporting documentation may also have restrictions.

---

What Documentation Is Required For Certification?

---

The Certification Required Documentation is about 50% the same for all certifications. In general, you must provide: Statement of Affidavit of being a qualified member (Woman, Minority, Veteran, etc.) Proof that you are a qualified individual (birth certificate stating minority/race/ethnicity/gender) Proof of legal residence (some certifications require US Citizenship) State and/or Federal Tax Returns for the Company W2, 1099, K1 for all owners State and/or Federal Tax Returns for the Qualifying Individual Corporate Governance Documentation (varies by business structure) Bank Documents Proof of Equity Investment (How you obtained your ownership) Personnel Documentation Management Information, Agreements, ESOP's, Trusts and Other Agreements SAM Status W3 941 Some certifications will also require vehicle information, title, insurance, DOT numbers, etc. Your Certification Application, supporting documentation, and any available public information can be used to make the certification determination. In addition, the Certifying Body may ask for information above and beyond what is simply "required". Contact Us today for more information and how we can help you with the Certification Process!

---

I Was Denied And Wish To Reapply, What Should I Do?

---

A Certification body typically chooses 1-3 reasons for denial and sends it out to the applicant. However, they do not provide a comprehensive list of all of the issues they may have found. Depending on the volume of Certfication Applications, the reviewer may stop after 1 or 2 reasons even though your application may have many more issues! Just "fixing" the denial reasons typically leads to another denial... and another 6 months to 1 year wait to reapply. HIT Executive Consulting helps Companies who were previously denied. Almost 20% of our Clients have been previously denied. Contact Us and we can map out a strategy to ensure a successful Certification Application and Decision!

---

I Was Recently Denied Certification. What Can I Do?

---

Keep in mind that the Certifiers job is to ensure that the requirements and integrity of the Certification are upheld and it is not a personal attack to be denied. 98% of Certification Denials are upheld upon appeal. The reason is that most Denials have to do with one or two things. 1. Something you submitted did not meet the requirements. 2. Something you said during the site visit did not meet their requirements. a. In the case of "he said, she said", the Site Vistor will typically win. However, there are situations that occur that can lead to an appeal being successful. 1. A piece of supporting documentation that was submitted is overlooked and not considered. 2. The Site Visitor does not fully understand your business model. 3. The Site Visitor happens to be a competitor (yes it has happened). 4. The Site Visitor has a bad day or is not professional. If you feel that you have been improperly denied, please Contact Us for a Denial Review. We will discuss your portential options, including appeal, and provide recommendations and a successful plan of action for you and your company.

---

Why Were 2% Of Your Clients Denied? (98% Approval Rate)

---

Our Clients have had some of the most challenging business situations including Start Ups, Succession Planning, Husband/Wife, Buy/Sell, Trusts, Multiple Owners, Missing or Incomplete Corporate Documentation and more. We will also tell you if we cannot help you due to your business model, situation, or objectives. Since 2011, HIT Executive Consulting has helped almost 250 clients recieve over 300 Certifications. (Some clients apply for more than one certification) These Certifications include: MBE, WBE, DBE, WOSB, State MWBE, City and County Certifications. Our Clients have had a total of 5 denials, but we have successfully appealed 2 of those denials at no additional cost to our client. Here are the 5 denials: 1. National WBE Montana - Approved for the DBE in 2 states, she was denied because the site visitor could not understand the company's business model. Successfully appealed at the national level. 2. National WBE Georgia - Initially denied because of "public appearance" of the company not being woman owned. Successfully appealed at the national level using publicly available information. 3. State TBE Minnesota - Nationally WBE approved, this client did not do well on the site visit despite the review session and a successful site visit on the national level. This was not appealable. 4. National WBE California - MBE approved, the documentation did not support woman control and the owner would not change it out of respect for her father. This was not appealable. 5. DBE Texas - National WBE Certified, this client was denied because of a perceived lack of business knowledge and education. This is being appealed in Washington, DC as the site reviewer did not take into account the owners Bachelor Degree in Finance and Accounting and other documentation! Contact Us for Certification Application Preparation, Supporting Documentation Review and Revision, Preparation for Site Visit, and Mentorship and Guidance to give you and your company the best opportunity to succeed!

---

What Happens If I Am Denied Certification?

---

If you are denied Certification you must wait a period of time before attempting to reapply. This timeframe can vary between the different Certification Bodies, but typically is between 6 months to 1 year. Contact Us for the best opportunity of success. If you are denied after using our services (98% success rate) in error, we will appeal your application, including supporting documentation, at no additional cost to you.

---

Why Did I Get Denied?

---

It's hard to say, but roughly 30-40% of companies who apply for Certifications are denied every year. It is thought to be highest with the DBE Certification process (roughly 50%). The documents you submitted or the answers you provided on the site visit or in the Certification Application did not meet the requirements for Certification. A few, but not necessarily all, of the denial reasons may be pointed out in your Denial Letter. The integrity of the Certification is of great importance to each Certifying Body. No matter how large, how small, how old, how young, or how much or little your company has in revenue, every company has to meet the stringent requirements, no exceptions! About 20% of our clients are women or minority owned companies that were previously denied. We have a 100% success rate getting these companies certified! Remember, there are a lot of contracts, bids, jobs and ultimately money on the line for certified companies. The Third Party Certifying Bodies are very good at ensuring only those companies who qualify and meet the requirements, earn their Certification. If you would like assitance with your Certification Application process, please Contact Us today!

---