Apply to Be a City Certified M/WBE-SDVOB

The City of Syracuse’s Minority- (MBE), Women- (WBE), and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business (SDVOB) Participation Program is designed to increase opportunities for minority, women, and service-disabled veteran entrepreneurs to access government contracts and grow their businesses. When eligible businesses are certified with the City of Syracuse, they qualify as subcontractors to contribute towards achievement of equity requirements for applicable City-funded contracts (construction and professional service contracts <$50,000) and become more visible to prospective buyers, including agencies and private contractors seeking to purchase goods and services.

 

Supplemental Information

 

 

Apply to be a M/WBE - SDVOB Vendor 

 

Benefits to becoming a City-certified M/WBE–SDVOB vendor, include:  

  • Free advertising in the online directory of certified businesses. 

  • Hands-on assistance with forms related to the City Certification Process. 

  • Updates and resources related to conducting business with the City of Syracuse and RFP and bid opportunities. 

  • Monitoring contracting activities and ensure overall compliance with the local, state, and federal laws governing M/WBE-SDVOB and DBE compliance. 

  • Ongoing information on networking events and technical assistance aimed to support the growth and success of Minority-, Women-, and Service-Disabled Veteran-owned Businesses. 

 

  

Online

Step 1.Verify Your Eligibility

The City of Syracuse’s M/WBE certification requires that businesses are:  

  1. At least fifty-one percent (51%) ownership by one or more eligible owners (minority group members or women). 

  2. Actively managed by one or more eligible owners. 

  3. Located within, or has its principal operations, within Onondaga County.

For SDVOB certification, the City requires that businesses are:  

  1. At least fifty-one percent (51%) direct ownership by one or more eligible owners - meaning, the veteran owner(s) have experienced a service-connected disability as determined by the U.S. VA, Department of Defense (DoD), or the NYS Division of Veteran Services, equal or greater to a compensation rating of ten percent (10%). 

  2. Actively managed and operated by one or more eligible owners, who hold the highest officer position(s) and independently control the day-to-day business decisions of the enterprise.

  3. Located within, or has its principal operations, located within Onondaga County and is authorized to do business in New York State. 

  4. A small business as defined by Small Business Administration (SBA).

Step 2.Prepare the Information Needed

The City of Syracuse will need the following information to certify your Minority and/or Women Business: You can find a copy of this checklist linked here(PDF, 1MB).  

  • Completed M/WBE-SDVOB Certification Application 

  • Signed and notarized Verification Form 

  • Demonstration of Business Residence or Operations in Onondaga County (examples: previous year’s federal income tax resumes with all applicable schedules; contracts of rented or leased facilities; active/completed contracts in Onondaga County) 

  • Proof of Citizenship or Permanent Resident Alien Status of All Principal Owners (examples: birth certificates, visas, U.S. passport, etc.) 

  • Detailed resumes of Owners, Principals and Shareholders 

  • Most recent EEO-4 Form 

  • For SDVOB: Copy of Benefit Summary Letter from the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, U.S. Department of Defense, or NYS Division of Veteran Affairs 

  • For expedited application: Copy of active NYS M/WBE or SDVOB certificate

  • Optional supporting documentation:  

  • Copies of Stock Ledger, Articles of Incorporation, By- Law 

  • Stock Certificates 

  • Proof of Business Organization (examples: DBA, LLC paperwork, etc.) 

  • Partnership Agreements and All Amendments 

  • Federal Income Tax Returns with All Applicable Schedules 

  • Examples of work experience (examples: contracts as a prime contractor or subcontractor with government agencies or school districts, etc.)

Step 3.Complete Your Application  

  1. Click the "Apply Online" button below.
  2. Under Vendor Certification select "Apply for / Renew Certification".
  3. Under New Certification select "Create Account".
  4. Follow prompts to provide information.

Step 4.Submit Your Application

You will receive confirmation on the email associated with your vendor account.

APPLY ONLINE 

In Person

Step 1.Verify Your Eligibility

The City of Syracuse’s M/WBE certification requires that businesses are:  

  1. At least fifty-one percent (51%) ownership by one or more eligible owners (minority group members or women). 

  2. Actively managed by one or more eligible owners. 

  3. Located within, or has its principal operations, within Onondaga County 

For SDVOB certification, the City requires that businesses are:  

  1. At least fifty-one percent (51%) direct ownership by one or more eligible owners - meaning, the veteran owner(s) have experienced a service-connected disability as determined by the U.S. VA, Department of Defense (DoD), or the NYS Division of Veteran Services, equal or greater to a compensation rating of ten percent (10%). 

  2. Actively managed and operated by one or more eligible owners, who hold the highest officer position(s) and independently control the day-to-day business decisions of the enterprise. 

  3. Located within, or has its principal operations, located within Onondaga County and is authorized to do business in New York State. 

  4. A small business as defined by Small Business Administration (SBA).

Step 2.Prepare Your Documents

The City of Syracuse will need the following information to certify your Minority-, Women-, and/or Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business. You can find a copy of this checklist linked here(PDF, 1MB).

  • Completed M/WBE-SDVOB Certification Application

  • Signed and notarized Verification Form

  • Demonstration of Business Residence or Operations in Onondaga County (examples: previous year’s federal income tax resumes with all applicable schedules; contracts of rented or leased facilities; active/completed contracts in Onondaga County) 

  • Proof of Citizenship or Permanent Resident Alien Status of All Principal Owners (examples: birth certificates, visas, U.S. passport, etc.) 

  • Detailed resumes of Owners, Principals and Shareholders 

  • Most recent EEO-4 Form 

  • For SDVOB: Copy of Benefit Summary Letter from the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, U.S. Department of Defense, or NYS Division of Veteran Affairs 

  • For expedited application: Copy of active NYS M/WBE or SDVOB certificate 

Optional supporting documentation:  

  • Copies of Stock Ledger, Articles of Incorporation, By- Law 

  • Stock Certificates 

  • Proof of Business Organization (examples: DBA, LLC paperwork, etc.) 

  • Partnership Agreements and All Amendments 

  • Federal Income Tax Returns with All Applicable Schedules 

  • Examples of work experience (examples: contracts as a prime contractor or subcontractor with government agencies or school 

Step 3.Visit the Budget Office

Division of Equity Compliance and Social Impact Office is located within the Department of Budget and Management. 

Suite 213, Office of Management and Budget  

City Hall 

233 E. Washington S 

Syracuse, New York 13202 

Step 4.Complete Application Sections

  1. Ask to meet with a representative from the Division of Equity Compliance and Social Impact.

  2. Request a paper M/WBE-SDVOB application. 

  3. Complete all application sections and attach all of the required documentation for your application type.

Step 5.Notarize your document

Ensure your document is signed in the presence of a notary. The Division of Equity Compliance and Social Impact should have a notary available to assist you.