Interested in becoming Certified?
Learn the difference and value-add that certifications can make to your business. Basically, a whole lot of paperwork that serves as a vetting process to “allow” said diverse businesses the opportunity to network with public and private entities that have supplier diversity goals and initiatives. I like to compare the process of buying a home and getting a college degree for your business credentials.
Many business owners aren't aware of the benefits of certification (women-owned, minority-owned, veteran-owned, and LGBTQ- owned) for growth opportunities and value-add to current clients.
Go 2 Girl works with clients in document discovery to collect/review the necessary paperwork to submit applications for multiple platforms for certification as applicable including local, federal, state, and third-party entities. You can never be over-certified!
Certification is a minimum 3-month process and can be a stand-alone service but is typically bundled with business development.
We are proud to report 98% awarded rating with our certification submission. While we can’t guarantee approval, we have proven turn-key experience.
Go 2 Girl begins within these areas:
Federal Certification
3rd Party Certification
Local Certification
State Certification
Did you know?
Federal agencies are legally required to set aside 23% of all contracts for small businesses. These agencies are also required to set aside a specific number of contracts for business owners who meet specific socioeconomic criteria:
5% of prime and subcontracts for women-owned small businesses
5% of prime and subcontracts for small disadvantaged businesses
3% of prime and subcontracts for HUBZone small businesses
3% of time and subcontracts for service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED
Item | Explanation | Local | State* | Federal | Third Party** |
Proof of certification by governmental entities | If your business has been certified with SBA as an example. This may not be applicable. | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Copies of certification denials, decertifications and appeal decisions | If you've tried before and have been denied, you'll need to be upfront. | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Proof of racial/ethnic minority or female status for each owner claiming racial/ethnic minority or female status | This is typically birth certificate | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Proof of U.S. Citizenship or Lawfully Admitted Permanent Resident status for each owner claiming racial/ethnic minority or female status | Social Security, Birth Certificate | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Documents indicating business entity status | This can be pulled from Secretary of State website | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Resumes or Curriculum Vitae for each owner claiming female or racial/ethnic minority status | Only provide resumes for owners | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Proof of contributions used to acquire ownership for each owner claiming female or racial/ethnic minority status | This is important. If you bought, started a new business, you will need to provide the bank statement transfers from personal funds to business account. If you don't have these records available, we'll need to write an explanation. | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Compensation Schedule to include: Annual salaries, owner draws, owner distributions, shareholder distributions and bonuses for all owners, controlling members, officers, managers and directors for the previous year | Your accountant or accounting system such as Quickbooks can provide this report. | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Proof of any transfers of assets to/from your business and/or to/from any of its owners over the past 3 years | If you have personally floated the business from marital joint bank account, critical to document and provide proof. | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
List of all employees, job titles, and dates of employment | Only employees, if single business owner, single member, you'll need to use standard template, not applicable. | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
List of all equipment (including office equipment) and vehicles owned, leased or otherwise made accessible to the business | Everyone uses a computer and phone, maybe a nice printer. You may have company car. Whatever is critical to run your business needs to be listed. | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Proof of company owned and/or leased real estate (title, warranty deed, tax or mortgage statement and/or signed leases) | If not applicable, use template. If you have a physical location, provide documents | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Proof of company owned and/or leased equipment (title, proof of ownership and/or signed leases) | If not applicable, use template. If applies, provide documents | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Titles or registrations to any company owned vehicles | If not applicable, use template. If applies, provide documents | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Signed loan agreements or promissory notes | If not applicable, use template. If applies, provide documents | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Relevant licenses | If not applicable, use template. If applies, provide documents. An example is a CPA, attorney or medical professional. Must be relevant to your business. | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
List of active contracts | Must show book of business with minimum of 2 active clients | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Business References | At least 3, could include banker, clients, colleagues for example | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Invoices and Purchase Orders | Must show paid invoices of active clients, not invoices you've paid to vendors | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Personal Tax returns and all related schedules for the past three (3) years (Schedule C, Profit or Loss From Business) | Make sure the returns are signed | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Assumed Name documents | If not applicable, use template. If applies, provide documents. For example, Go 2 Girl LLC is registered name, if I did business as G2G, then I'd need to show documentation | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Bank signature card | Your bank can provide a copy. | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Minutes of company meetings (past 3 years) | If not applicable, use template. If applies, provide documents | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Articles of incorporation (original and any amendments – include filing copy with state seal/stamp) | This can be pulled from Secretary of State website | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
By-laws (original and any amendments) | If not applicable, use template. If applies, provide documents | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Minutes of stockholders and board meetings (past 3 years) | If not applicable, use template. If applies, provide documents | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Stock certificates (both sides) | If not applicable, use template. If applies, provide documents | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Stock ledger (include names, certificate numbers, dates, transfers, cancellations) | If not applicable, use template. If applies, provide documents | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Corporate bank resolutions and/or bank signature card(s) | Your bank can provide a copy. | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Shareholders’ Agreement(s) | If not applicable, use template. If applies, provide documents | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Operating agreement (original and any amendments) | If not applicable, use template. If applies, provide documents | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
* State also includes what is required for DBE
** Third Party include WBENC, NMSDC, NWBOC. These are typically an additional annual fee