As I set up as a vendor with my first client, I was asked if I qualified for a number of different categories. As I looked at the long list, I did qualify – as a veteran owned and minority owned business.
Why would you “check the box?” Upon researching it further, it became pretty clear:
- There are government set-asides for these classifications
- Corporate entities want to do business with other companies that carry these certifications
- There are support opportunities, like networking, mentoring and lead generation, through the VA, small business administration and other groups
Checking out the requirements, it looked like a daunting list. Here’s what I found:
- For veteran owned businesses, as a start up, you need:
- To own at least 51% of the business, and run it
- Incorporation documents (if you are one – I’m a corporation, and the documents were sent by the state Secretary of State)
- Resume for principals (that means you)
- A DUNS number (it’s a database, takes 5 minutes to fill out the form, and they promise turnaround in 1 business day)
- An EIN or your social security/taxpayer ID number
- Be in the VA database – they refer to it as BIRLS – if you’ve registered for VA benefits at any time, you’re in it. I also think it is part of your outprocessing.
- At least 60 days to process
- There were counseling services and pre-application information available. I checked out the pre-application resources – very helpful.
- It’s free
- For minority owned business certification, you need:
- To own at least 51% of the business, and run it
- Many of the above documents
- Business cards of the principals of the organization, with titles
- At least 90 days to process, and there is a periodic recertification
- There’s a fee, but I haven’t gotten that far in the process yet
As I continue down the path, I’ll post my progress. Right now, I’m waiting for my DUNS number, and then I’ll start the VA process.
UPDATE: I got my DUNS number in 8 hours. Emailed to me overnight. Fantastic.
Have you gone through this process? Any tips, or tricks?
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