The United States government is constantly working to ensure further inclusion and diversity both in the public and the private sectors.
In this sense, one of the best approaches is the issuance of a minority-owned business certification to ensure the representation of all communities. Nonetheless, having a company officially recognized as a minority-owned business required a formal process of application and certification.
In this article, you will find out how a business can attain certified minority business status in Florida.
How do I Become a Certified Minority Business in Florida? – The Basic Steps
In Florida, the Office of Supplier Diversity (OSD) is a specialized team within the Division of State Purchasing that is responsible for the process of certification of minority-owned businesses.
In this sense, this department’s goal is to help improving business opportunities for women-owned, veteran-owned, and minority-owned small businesses established in Florida.
In this context, Florida’s Office of Supplier Diversity has a wide array of strategies to achieve its goal, which includes:
- Assisting with applicable state certification/recertification
- Increasing the outreach of opportunities specific to minority-owned business needs
- Supporting business events targeted to minority-owned businesses
- Helping to increase the use of minority-owned businesses both at the state and local government procurement contracts
Becoming a Certified Minority Business in Florida – Eligibility Requirements
The certification process includes identifying and certifying eligible small businesses established in Florida by conducting in-depth reviews of the required documentation. To attain a certified minority-business status in Florida, entrepreneurs must meet the minimum eligibility requirements.
Under Florida law, the requirements regarding minority-owned business certification are provided by Florida Statutes at Chapter 287.0943(2)(e) and Chapter 295.187, as well Florida Administrative Code Chapter 60A-9.
If you want to obtain a minority-owned business certification, the main requirements provide that your company must:
- Be established in Florida
- Be legally registered to do business in Florida as a for-profit organization under the Department of State
- Be owned and managed by an individual(s) resident in Florida
- Be 51% owned and managed by a woman, veteran, or minority who is either a US citizen or permanent resident alien
- Be currently doing business (active)
- Be officially registered in Florida’s eProcurement system – MyFloridaMarketPlace
- Also, the company must have a net worth of less than $5 million and possess 200 or fewer full-time permanent employees.
If required by the business’s segment, the company must have a professional license in the owner’s name, either a woman, a veteran, or a minority entrepreneur.
Ultimately, these are the basic eligibility requirements for certification, so make sure to consult with an expert business attorney in Florida to assess your situation in detail.
How do I Become a Certified Minority Business in Florida? – Certification Process
The first step to obtaining a minority-owned business certification is registering as a new vendor on the state’s procurement website, MyFloridaMarketPlace.com.
During the creation of your VIP registration, the website will prompt you to indicate whether you are seeking a minority business certification. Then, you can click the “Yes” option to proceed with your registration.
Next, you will have to review the types of designations available from the OSD, which includes woman-owned, veteran-owned, or minority-owned businesses. Choose the category that applies to your business and continue until the registration process is complete.
If your business is already registered at MyFloridaMarketPlace.com, you can proceed to the next step, which is reviewing and gathering all the required documentation. At this phase, it is crucial to work with an expert attorney to help you organize the paperwork.
Once you finish gathering the necessary documentation, you can mail the paperwork to the Office of Supplier Diversity. It is also possible to scan and email all the supporting documentation.
How Long Does Becoming a Certified Minority Business in Florida Take?
Typically, the Office of Supplier Diversity in Florida reviews files within 15 business days of receipt. Also, the OSD can request additional information within the same time threshold.
Notice that the OSD will not review a certification request until the applicant’s registration process in MyFloridaMarketPlace is complete. Additionally, the OSD will not review a certification request until they receive all the mandatory documentation.
If the applicant meets the qualifications, the DOS will send a certificate via email after the staff’s determination that the company is eligible to attain certified minority business status in Florida.
We Can Help Your Company to Become a Certified Minority Business in Florida
At Jurado & Farshchian, P.L., we have a team of expert attorneys to help through the process of becoming a certified minority business in Florida. Call Attorney Romy B. Jurado at (305) 921-0976 or send us an email at [email protected] to schedule a consultation.
