Need help?
Do you need help applying for the small or minority business enterprise certificate? We have resources available to assist you!
See below for links to virtual, in-person, and one-on-one support options. We have also provided a detailed FAQ section.
Explore Support Resources
Click on the links below to find virtual, in-person, and one-on-one assistance for applying to the supplier diversity program.
FAQs
Click on the topics below to see a list of frequently asked questions and answers regarding the Small/Minority Business Enterprise certificate.
No, the company’s principal place of business must be located in Connecticut.
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.
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.
Yes, visit SAM.gov to register for All Awards as a small business.
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.
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.
The certificate is valid for a period not to exceed two years.
Yes, visit the SMBE Supplier Diversity Directory.
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.
Bidding opportunities can be found on the state contracting portal CTsource.
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.
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.
