Women's Business Enterprise (WBE) and Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Certifications
Getting certified as a women owned, minority or small disadvantaged business can significantly help your business gain access to government contracts. It helps by "leveling" the playing field to successfully compete and win. There are numerous government agencies at the local, state or federal level which certify companies like yours. Whether you are just starting or in a growth stage, you can benefit from these "set aside" programs designated to help small disadvantaged businesses.
Obtaining a WBE/DBE/MBE certification can be a complex and arduous process. Staub Anderson can help you navigate the WBE/DBE/MBE certification process by:
- Helping you to understand the certification requirements.
- Helping you to determine the appropriate WBE/MBE certifying agency for you to submit your application.
- Helping to document the necessary corporate ownership and management structure for a successful MBE or WBE application.
- Reviewing the completed application for certification as an MBE or WBE, including the documents and exhibits needed to support the application.
- Assisting in understanding and responding to feedback on the application received from the certifying agency.
- Assessing any denial of the application from the certifying agency and, if needed, assisting preparation of an appeal of the denial.
Useful resources for women's and minority businesses:
Here are some resources we have found that provide information which can be useful to you as the owner of a women's business enterprise or minority business enterprise:- SBA Office of Women's Business Ownership (OWBO)
- Minority Business Development Agency - U.S. Department of Commerce
- SBA Contracting Support for Small Business - Contracting support for women-owned small businesses interested in doing business with the federal government
- Women's Business Development Center - a not-for-profit organization established in 1986 to work with women to launch new businesses and strengthen existing businesses in the Chicago area
Applications for certification for women's and minority businesses:
Illinois Department of Transportation - one of the five state agencies participating in the Illinois Unified Certification Program (IL UCP)
Cook County Illinois MBE/WBE/VBE Certification Process
City of Chicago MBE/WBE Certification Forms and Documents
WBENC Certification Application Process
For information on the services we offer to women-owned and minority-owned business, please call David Staub at (312) 345-0545.