fbpx Supplier Clearinghouse and Certification FAQ - California Water Association

[learn_more caption=”What is the Supplier Clearinghouse?” state=”open”]The Supplier Clearinghouse is the depository of the database of certified WMDVLGBT Businesses. The Clearinghouse operator is contracted to verify the eligibility of women-, minority- and LGBT-owned business enterprises and issues a certificate of eligibility. The operator also maintains and provides access to the database of verified businesses and disabled veteran-owned enterprises (DVBE) to participating utilities.[/learn_more]

[learn_more caption=”Who do they certify and what are the eligibility requirements?”]The Supplier Clearinghouse certifies women-, minority- and LGBT-owned businesses that are at least 51% owned by women, minority and/or LGBT individuals, and whose management and daily business operations are controlled by women, minorities and/or LGBT individuals. (http://www.sdbnetwork.com/SDBNetwork/Affiliates/CPUC/verification_eligibility.php) Recognized minority groups include African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian Pacific Americans and Native Americans. Certification is limited to U.S. citizens or legal resident aliens. While The Supplier Clearinghouse maintains a database of disabled-veteran business enterprises (DVBEs), these applicants are certified by the DVBE Participation Program, a unit of the Department of General Services (http://www.dgs.ca.gov/dgs/tabid/1198/Default.aspx), not by The Supplier Clearinghouse.[/learn_more]

[learn_more caption=”What are the benefits of certification?”]The CPUC and participating utilities accepts certification of women- and/or minority-owned businesses (W/MBE) by The Supplier Clearinghouse, comparable agencies, and disabled veteran-owned enterprise (DVBE) certification by the DVBE Participation Program, a unit of the Department of General Services. Verified businesses are entered into a database that is utilized by participating utilities for sourcing opportunities. Additionally, there is no application fee and the Supplier Clearinghouse certification is valid for 3 years or through the comparable agencies’ expiration date.[/learn_more]

[learn_more caption=”What is the application process?”]

Applicants are usually certified within 45–90 days of receipt of a complete, notarized application package including application form and supporting documents. Site visits are sometimes necessary to make a determination to certify. Certified applicants receive a certificate that is valid for 3 years or that matches the comparable agencies’ expiration date. 90 days prior to the end of the certification period, a reverification application must be submitted for renewal. Application types and instructions can be found at http://www.sdbnetwork.com/SDBNetwork/Affiliates/CPUC/verification_eligibility.php.

Comparable agencies include the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC), the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) and the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC).

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