0073 - All About Certification for Small Business

UGA SBDC Training

Course Description

Are you a small business owner in Georgia looking to pivot into federal, state, or local contracting - as a prime or subcontractor? If so, are there relevant contracting assistance programs or socio-economic certifications you can leverage? Public sector examples include WOSB, SDB, 8(a), HUB Zone, VOSB/SDVOSB, DBE, etc. Or, is your business looking to expand into (major) corporate contracting by leveraging supplier diversity initiatives - with a WBE and/or MBE certification? What do these acronyms mean?

This introductory class provides an overview of notable contracting assistance programs and socio-economic certifications for small business, core eligibility requirements, and keys to leveraging such programs or certifications.

Course Outline

Overview of public sector vs. private sector procurement for small business.
How can contracting assistance programs and socio-economic certifications help?
Navigating key eligibility and registration requirements:
- Public sector: federal, state, local. Examples include WOSB, SDB, 8(a), HUBZone, VOSB/SDVOSB, DBE, some local/county or municipal approaches, etc.
- Private sector: MBE and WBE certifications.
- Pointers on leveraging certifications: some business development considerations.

Learner Outcomes

Gain an understanding about notable contracting assistance programs and socio-economic certifications in the public and private procurement sectors such as:
- Public sector: WOSB (Women-Owned Small Business), SDB (Small Disadvantaged Business) and the 8(a) Business Development Program, HUB Zone (Historically Underutilized Business Zones), VOSB/SDVOSB (Veteran-Owned Small Business), DBE (Disadvantaged Business Enterprise), etc.
- Private sector: WBE (Women's Business Enterprise) and MBE (Minority Business Enterprise).

Learn the key differences between the featured programs
Learn about the eligibility requirements for all the programs

Notes

A Public Service and Outreach Unit of the University of Georgia. Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All programs of the UGA SBDC are open to the public on a non-discriminatory basis. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance.

Testimonials

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