Learn about the MWBE and SDVOB Business Participation Program

1. Overview

MWBEs (Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises) are businesses owned and operated by individuals from minority groups and/or women. These businesses often face challenges such as limited access to financing, difficulty securing contracts, and competition with larger, more established companies. To address these barriers, governments, corporations, and other organizations have introduced programs to support and promote MWBEs. These initiatives may include funding, technical assistance, mentorship, networking opportunities, and preferential treatment in contract awards. The aim is to help MWBEs grow, contributing to a more diverse and inclusive business environment.

Promoting MWBEs offers numerous benefits, including stimulating local economies, creating jobs, increasing competition, and encouraging innovation. It also helps address systemic inequalities and fosters social equity. In essence, MWBEs play a vital role in driving economic growth and diversity and supporting them is key to building a more equitable and inclusive society.

 

2. Apply for City Certification

The City of Syracuse manages a participation program serving Minority/Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBE) and Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Business (SDVOB) enterprises. The program is designed to increase opportunities for disadvantaged groups to access government contracts and grow their businesses. When eligible businesses are certified with the City of Syracuse, they qualify as subcontractors to contribute towards achievement of equity requirements for applicable City-funded contracts, this applies to construction and professional service contracts less than $50,000, and become more visible to prospective buyers, including agencies and private contractors seeking to purchase goods and services.

Apply to be a City-Certified MWBE-SDVOB

 

3. Key Terms

A Minority-Owned Business Enterprise (MBE) is defined as a business that meets the following criteria and is certified by the City of Syracuse every three years:

  • At least 51% of the business is owned, operated, and controlled by minority group members who are United States citizens or permanent resident aliens. For publicly owned businesses, at least 51% of the stock must be owned by minority group members.
  • The management and daily operations of the business are controlled by one or more minority group members.
  • The business’s primary operations or a permanently staffed office is located within Onondaga County.

The following definitions apply to the minority groups within this category:

  • Black: Persons with origins in any of the Black racial groups of Africa.
  • Hispanic: Persons of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Dominican, Cuban, Central or South American descent, regardless of race.
  • Asian-Pacific: Persons from the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Pacific Islands.
  • Asian-Indian Subcontinent: Persons with origins in the Indian subcontinent.
  • Native American or Alaskan Native: Persons with origins in any of the original peoples of North America.

 

4. Program Facts

What does MWBE stand for?

MWBE means Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprise is a business that has a specific ownership composition of minimally 51%.

What is MWBE Certification?

MWBE Certification is the process by which an applicant's business minority or women ownership, management, and operational status as defined by the City of Syracuse Ordinance were validated.

What are the benefits of MWBE Certification with the City of Syracuse?

The City of Syracuse has MWBE utilization and Equal Employment Opportunity requirements for construction projects which are clearly indicated in the contract specifications. This includes those under the Joint Syracuse School Construction Project.

What are the City of Syracuse's MWBE goals?

The Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise participation goals for city construction and professional service projects is 30% (18% for Minority and 12% Women).

Once certified, can a firm be assured of getting contracts and subcontracts?

No. Certification does not guarantee work to any certified business. In addition, although certification enhances a firm's exposure to prime contractors and the business community, a certified firm still must market itself, its personnel and its services.

Will being certified as a MWBE firm allow me to bid on contracts issued by the City of Syracuse?

You do not have to be certified as a MWBE to bid on contracts. MWBE certification makes your firm available to prime contractors seeking to meet MWBE compliance requirements specified in their contract as well as increasing your firm's exposure to these businesses.

What are the benefits to a corporation to know that a minority owned business is certified?

Corporations benefit from the knowledge that a minority or women owned company is certified by:

  • Expanding their existing and future customer base
  • Increasing access to emerging markets in urban communities
  • Meeting compliance with governmental requirements
  • Contributing to the economic viability of MBE's and the communities in which they are located

How can I obtain a City of Syracuse MWBE Certification?

The process starts with completing of a certification application and submission of all required documentation.

Why do you ask for my financial information?

Financial information is critical in validating a company's business legitimacy and is kept confidential.

What is the cost of MWBE Certification?

There is no cost to the business aside from any cost incurred in completing the application and process (I.e., copies, mailing, etc.).

How long does certification take?

The time it takes to become a certified MWBE with the City of Syracuse can vary and depends on several factors, such as submitting a complete application with all required documentation and scheduling a site visit and interview. However, the City is committed to streamlining the process. For new certifications or renewals, the process typically takes up to 72 hours, while NYS reciprocal certifications generally take 30-45 minutes. Overall, the City aims to complete the entire certification process within 90 days.

My business is a City of Syracuse certified MWBE...what's next?

You will receive a letter confirming your certification with the City with an MWBE certificate.

You will now be added to the City of Syracuse's MWBE database. A certification listing is available on the MWBE directory webpage.

It is your responsibility to ensure that the information listed remains accurate.

Contact our office with any business information changes at MWBE@syrgov.net.

Stay informed about City of Syracuse bid notices. These notices are found on the City's website. Even if you are not interested in bidding as a prime contractor be aware that prime contractors will be looking for certified MWBE firms to meet contractual requirements.

Does the certification expire?

Yes. The certification is valid for 3 years from the issuance of the certification letter. Be advised that a City of Syracuse representative will conduct periodic reviews of business status. Certification may be immediately revoked if it is determined through review that the firm no longer qualifies as a Minority/Women Business Enterprise.

Are there other certifications I should know about?

Yes. Your company can possess more than one certification and some public contract compliance requirements identify specific certifications such as:

New York State MWBE Certification. If you are certified as a MWBE by NYS, the City of Syracuse will honor that certification in its process. You can find out more about NYS MWBE certification here. NYS MWBE certification is not a requirement for City of Syracuse certification.

Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) certification. DBE certification is a federal program certification and is separate from the NYS MWBE program in that the DBE program has economic criteria; the MWBE program does not. The program only certifies small businesses that are independently owned and controlled by one or more socially and economically disadvantaged persons. You can find more information of DBE certification here.

Section 3 certification. Information about Section 3 can be found here.

What is a NAICS code?

Northern American Industry Classification System - is a 6-digit industry classification code developed jointly by the U.S., Canadian, and Mexican governments to be used as a North American coding system. Businesses need these codes, which describe their revenue-producing lines of business to:

  • Register new business with the U.S. government.
  • Subcontract from Defense Contractors or Government Agencies.

Visit the NAICS website for more information.

What is a Dun & Bradstreet Number?

The D&B D-U-N-S Number is a unique 9-digit identification sequence, which provides unique identifiers of single business entities, while linking corporate family structures together. D&B numbers are used by the world's most influential standards-setting organizations; it is recognized, recommended, and/or required by many industry and trade associations including the United Nations, the U.S. Federal Government, the Australian Government, and the European Commission. It is the standard for keeping tract of the world's businesses.

How can I do business with the City of Syracuse?

Information regarding conducting business with the City of Syracuse (I.e., RFP and bid information) can be found here: Active Bids

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