Apply to Be a City Certified MWBE-SDVOB

The City of Syracuse’s Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE), and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business (SDVOB) Participation Program aims to create more opportunities for minority, women, and service-disabled veteran entrepreneurs to secure government contracts and grow their businesses. Certified businesses with the City of Syracuse can act as subcontractors that help meet required equity goals for eligible City-funded contracts (construction and professional service contracts at or over $50,000) and gain visibility with potential buyers, including agencies and private contractors looking to purchase goods and services.

Benefits to becoming a City-certified MWBE–SDVOB vendor, include:

Free advertising in the City's online directory of certified businesses.
Hands-on assistance with forms related to the City's MWBE-SDVOB Certification Process.
Updates on new RFP and bid opportunities.
The City monitors contracting activities and ensures overall compliance with the local, state, and federal laws governing MWBE-SDVOB and DBE goals.
Updates on upcoming networking events and technical assistance aimed at supporting the growth and success of Minority, Women, and Service-Disabled Veteran-owned Businesses.

Supplemental Information

MWBE-Certification-Paper-Application.pdf(PDF, 2MB)

Verify Eligibility

Before you begin the application, please verify that your business is eligible for an MWBE-SDVOB certification with the City of Syracuse

The City of Syracuse’s MWBE certification requires that businesses are:

At least fifty-one percent (51%) owned by one or more eligible owners (minority group members or women).
Actively managed by one or more eligible owners.
Located within, or has its principal operations, within Onondaga County.

For SDVOB certification, the City requires that businesses are:

At least fifty-one percent (51%) direct owned by one or more eligible veteran owners who have experienced a service-connected disability as determined by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Department of Defense (DoD), or the NYS Division of Veteran Services, equal or greater to a compensation rating of ten percent (10%).
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.
Located within, or has its principal operations, located within Onondaga County and is authorized to do business in New York State.
A small business as defined by Small Business Administration (SBA).

Prepare Your Documents

Completed MWBE-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(PDF, 191KB)
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 MWBE 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.)

Online

Step 1.Complete Your Application

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

Step 2.Submit Your Application

You will receive confirmation of your submission at the email associated with your vendor account.

APPLY ONLINE

In Person

Step 1.Visit the Budget Office

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

City Hall Suit 213

233 E. Washington S

Syracuse, New York 13202

Metered street parking is available. Enter City Hall through the doors on Market Street. All building visitors will need to go through the main floor security screening.

Step 2.Complete Application Sections

Ask to meet with a representative from the Division of Equity Compliance and Social Impact.
Request a paper MWBE-SDVOB application from the office or print at home.
Complete all application sections and attach all of the required documentation for your application type.

Step 3.Notarize Your Document

Ensure your document is signed in the presence of a notary. The Division of Equity Compliance and Social Impact may have a notary available to assist you, please contact us to schedule in advance.