It refers to businesses that are owned and operated by individuals who are members of minority groups or women. M/WBEs are often underrepresented in the business world and may face greater obstacles in accessing financing, securing contracts, and competing with larger, more established companies. To address this imbalance, many governments, corporations, and other organizations have implemented programs and policies to support and promote M/WBEs. Such programs can include providing funding, technical assistance, mentorship, networking opportunities, and preferential treatment in the awarding of contracts. The goal is to help M/WBEs grow and thrive, thereby creating more diverse and inclusive business ecosystems. Promoting M/WBEs can have multiple benefits, including boosting local economies, creating jobs, increasing competition, and fostering innovation. It can also help address systemic disparities and promote social equity.
Overall, M/WBEs play an important role in promoting economic growth and diversity, and supporting them is crucial to building a more equitable and inclusive society.
The City of Syracuse manages a participation program serving Minority/Women-Owned Business Enterprises (M/WBE) and Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Business (SDVOB) enterprises. The program is designed to increase opportunities for disadvantaged groups 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, this applies to construction and professional service contracts less than $50,000, and become more visible to prospective buyers, including agencies and private contractors seeking to purchase goods and services.
Apply to be a City-Certified M/WBE-SDVOB
A Minority-owned Business Enterprise (MBE) shall mean a business enterprise that is certified by the City every 3 years as satisfying the following criteria:
- At least 51% is owned and controlled by minority group members who are United States citizens or permanent resident aliens; or in the case of a publicly owned business, at least 51% of the stock of the business is owned by minority group members who are United States citizens or permanent resident aliens.
- The management and daily operations of the business are controlled by one or more of the minority group members who own it and,
- The business has its principal operation or has permanently staffed offices located within Onondaga County. The following definitions will apply within this general category.
Minority Person: an individual who is Black, Hispanic, Asian, American Indian or Alaskan Native.
Black Person: an individual having origins in any of the Black racial groups of Africa.
Hispanic: a person of Spanish culture whose place of birth was in Mexico, South or Central America, Cuba, Puerto Rico, regardless of race.
American Indian: a person having origins in any of the original peoples of North America and who maintains cultural identificatio
What does MWBE stand for?
MWBE means Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprise is a business that has a specific ownership composition of minimally 51%.
What is MWBE Certification?
MWBE Certification is the process by which an applicant's business minority or women ownership, management, and operational status as defined by the City of Syracuse Ordinance were validated.
What are the benefits of MWBE Certification with the City of Syracuse?
The City of Syracuse has MWBE utilization and Equal Employment Opportunity requirements for construction projects which are clearly indicated in the contract specifications. This includes those under the Joint Syracuse School Construction Project.
What are the City of Syracuse's MWBE goals?
The Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise participation goals for city construction and professional service projects is 30% (18% for Minority and 12% Women).
Once certified, can a firm be assured of getting contracts and subcontracts?
No. Certification does not guarantee work to any certified business. In addition, although certification enhances a firm's exposure to prime contractors and the business community, a certified firm still must market itself, its personnel and its services.
Will being certified as a MWBE firm allow me to bid on contracts issued by the City of Syracuse?
You do not have to be certified as a MWBE to bid on contracts. MWBE certification makes our firm available to prime contractors seeking to meet MWBE compliance requirements specified in their contract as well as increasing your firm's exposure to these businesses.
What are the benefits to a corporation to know that a minority owned business is certified?
Corporations benefit from the knowledge that a minority or women owned company is certified by:
- Expanding their existing and future customer base
- Increasing access to emerging markets in urban communities
- Meeting compliance with governmental requirements
- Contributing to the economic viability of MBE's and the communities in which they are located
How can I obtain a City of Syracuse MWBE Certification?
The process starts with completing of a certification application and submission of all required documentation.
Why do you ask for my financial information?
Financial information is critical in validating a company's business legitimacy and is kept confidential.
What is the cost of MWBE Certification?
There is no cost to the business aside from any cost incurred in completing the application and process (I.e., copies, mailing, etc.).
How long does certification take?
There is no way to predict how long it will take to become a certified MWBE with the City of Syracuse. The duration of the process is dependent upon how many variables (I.e., a complete application with submissions of all required documentation, scheduling site visit and interview, etc.), however the City is committed to expediting the process and targets a process not to exceed 90 days.
My business is a City of Syracuse certified MWBE...what's next?
You will receive a letter confirming your certification with the City with an M/WBE certificate.
You will now be added to the City of Syracuse's MWBE database. A certification listing is available on the MWBE directory webpage.
It is your responsibility to ensure that the information listed remains accurate.
Contact our office with any business information changes at MWBE@syrgov.net.
Stay informed about City of Syracuse bid notices. These notices are found on the City's website. Even if you are not interested in bidding as a prime contractor be aware that prime contractors will be looking for certified MWBE firms to meet contractual requirements.
Does the certification expire?
Yes. The certification is valid for 3 years from the issuance of the certification letter. Be advised that a City of Syracuse representative will conduct periodic reviews of business status. Certification may be immediately revoked if it is determined through review that the firm no longer qualifies as a Minority/Women Business Enterprise.
Are there other certifications I should know about?
Yes. Your company can possess more than one certification and some public contract compliance requirements identify specific certifications such as:
New York State MWBE Certification. If you are certified as a MWBE by NYS, the City of Syracuse will honor that certification in its process. You can find out more about NYS MWBE certification here. NYS MWBE certification is not a requirement for City of Syracuse certification.
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) certification. DBE certification is a federal program certification and is separate from the NYS MWBE program in that the DBE program has economic criteria; the MWBE program does not. The program only certifies small businesses that are independently owned and controlled by one or more socially and economically disadvantaged persons. You can find more information of DBE certification here.
Section 3 certification. Information about Section 3 can be found here.
What is a NAICS code?
Northern American Industry Classification System - is a 6-digit industry classification code developed jointly by the U.S., Canadian, and Mexican governments to be used as a North American coding system. Businesses need these codes, which describe their revenue-producing lines of business to:
- Register new business with the U.S. government.
- Subcontract from Defense Contractors or Government Agencies.
Visit the NAICS website for more information.
What is a Dun & Bradstreet Number?
The D&B D-U-N-S Number is a unique 9-digit identification sequence, which provides unique identifiers of single business entities, while linking corporate family structures together. D&B numbers are used by the world's most influential standards-setting organizations; it is recognized, recommended, and/or required by many industry and trade associations including the United Nations, the U.S. Federal Government, the Australian Government, and the European Commission. It is the standard for keeping tract of the world's businesses.
How can I do business with the City of Syracuse?
Information regarding conducting business with the City of Syracuse (I.e., RFP and bid information) can be found on the Department of Purchase section of the city webpage.