FAQs

• My company is based in another state, but I have a field office in Connecticut. Is my company eligible for certification?
  Answer:

  No, the company’s principal place of business must be located in Connecticut.

• What is a microbusiness preference?
  Answer: The microbusiness preference (C.S.S. 4a-59) is not part of the Supplier Diversity Set-Aside Program. Companies whose gross revenues are less than $3,000,000 are considered microbusinesses and may be eligible for a preference. The Contracting Agency may give a 10% price preference to microbusinesses when evaluating bid responses and a 15% price preference to veteran-owned microbusinesses certified by the Connecticut Department of Veteran’s affairs (DVA). Questions about microbusiness preferences should be directed to DAS Contracting Staff at 860-713-5095. Questions about the Veteran’s microbusiness certification should be directed to the DVA.
• How long is the certification period?
  Answer: The certificate is valid for a period not to exceed two years.
• What State agencies participate in the Supplier Diversity Program?
  Answer: All executive branch state agencies with a budget of more than $10,000 are required to make a good faith effort to set aside 25% of their purchases for certified small or minority business enterprises.
• Is there a directory of companies certified through the Supplier Diversity Program?
  Answer: Yes, visit the SMBE Supplier Diversity Directory.
• Is the Small Business Enterprise and Minority Business Enterprise certification the same as the Prequalification certification?
  Answer: No, these are separate programs with different purposes.

  • The Supplier Diversity Program certifies Connecticut-based businesses as a Small Business Enterprise (SBE) or Minority Business Enterprise (MBE). This enables them to compete for contracts set aside for SBE and MBE companies only.
  • The Construction Contractor Prequalification program is designed to pre-screen certain criteria of Construction Contractors enabling them to bid on public works projects >$1,000,000.  
• How may I find out about bidding opportunities for companies certified in the program?
  Answer: Bidding opportunities can be found on the state contracting portal CTsource.
• If my company is certified with the Connecticut Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program, will it automatically be eligible for the Department of Administrative Services’ (DAS) Supplier Diversity Program?
  Answer: No, you will need to apply for the Department of Administrative Services’ (DAS) Supplier Diversity Program. The Connecticut Department of Transportation Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program is governed by federal regulations and the DAS Supplier Diversity Program is governed by state statutes. 
• Are there separate applications for initial certification and recertification as there have been in the past?
  Answer: No, there is only one application. The online application will save your company information from year to year including certification history and required documentation.
• Can I print a hardcopy of the online application?
  Answer: Yes, access your application online and you will find an option to print in the menu to the left of the application.
• Once the certification process is complete, how do I obtain my Small or Minority Business Enterprise certificate?
  Answer: When the application is approved, you will receive an email with a link to print the certificate from your own personal computer. You may also view and print the certificate from your dashboard in CT Gateway.
• Do I need to register with the System for Award Management (SAM) prior to applying for the Small or Minority Business certification?
  Answer:

  Yes, visit SAM.gov to register for All Awards as a small business. 

• How do I determine if my company qualifies as small?
  Answer:

  The System for Award Management will determine if your business is small using the SBA’s Table of Small Business Size Standards. Size standards are matched to industries described in the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). Each NAICS code has a small business threshold based on revenue or number of employees. Find your NAICS code here.