FAQs - CT Small Business Certification Program

FAQs: Small Business Certification Program

FAQs

Click on the topics below to see a list of frequently asked questions and answers regarding the Small/Minority Business Enterprise certificate.

Eligibility

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

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

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) Small Business Certification Program?

No, you will need to apply for the Department of Administrative Services’ (DAS) Small Business Certification Program. The Connecticut Department of Transportation Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program is governed by federal regulations and the DAS Small Business Certification Program is governed by state statutes.

Application

How do I determine if my company qualifies as small?

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.

Do I need to register with the System for Award Management (SAM) prior to applying for the Small or Minority Business certification?

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

Can I print a hardcopy of the online application?

Yes, open your application in CT Gateway and click on Print/Preview Application in the left-hand menu. Then click on the print button located in the bottom left-hand corner of the page.

Certification

How do I obtain my Small or Minority Business Enterprise certificate?

When the application is approved, you will receive an email with a link to print the certificate from your computer. You may also view and print the certificate from your dashboard in CT Gateway.

How long is the certification period?

The certificate is valid for a period not to exceed two years.

Is there a directory of companies certified through the Small Business Certification Program?

Yes, visit the SMBE Small Business Directory.

Is the Small Business Enterprise and Minority Business Enterprise certification the same as the Prequalification certification?

No, these are separate programs with different purposes.

The Small Business Certification Program certifies Connecticut-based businesses as a Small Business Enterprise (SBE) or Minority Business Enterprise (MBE).

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.

Bidding Opportunities

How may I find out about bidding opportunities for companies certified in the program?

Bidding opportunities can be found on the state contracting portal CTsource.

Which state agencies participate in the Small Business Certification Program?

All executive branch state agencies with a budget of more than $10,000 are required to participate.

What is a microbusiness preference?

The microbusiness preference (C.S.S. 4a-59) is not part of the Small Business Certification 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 DAS.Procurement@ct.gov. Questions about the Veteran’s microbusiness certification should be directed to the DVA.