MBE/WBE

Log Out | Topics | Search Moderators | Register | Edit Profile

Author Message Robin E. Snyder Senior Member Username: robin Post Number: 626 Registered: 08-2004 Posted on Sunday, March 06, 2016 - 10:17 pm:    Any independents certified as a MBE/WBE/DBE or similar? If so, through what agency? Have you found it to be advantageous in getting work? Anyone that does NOT have it that has lost work because they haven't had it? ken hercenberg Senior Member Username: khercenberg Post Number: 993 Registered: 12-2006 Posted on Sunday, March 06, 2016 - 11:44 pm:    We are currently looking for an MBE/WBE/DBE in the state of New York and occasionally look for spec consultants in other locations to team with on government projects. If you are an MBE or WBE, or know of any, please let me know John Bunzick, CCS, CCCA, LEED AP Senior Member Username: bunzick Post Number: 1669 Registered: 03-2002 Posted on Monday, March 07, 2016 - 01:12 pm:    In Massachusetts, there is an agency set up specifically to certify MBE and WBE firms. It used to be called the State Office for Minority and Women Business Assistance (SOMWBA), but it now is known as the State Diversity Office (SDO). I would imagine this is the case in other states as well. I don't know whether it helps one get work, but I can't see how it wouldn't. I suppose it depends on how much work you'd get versus how much hassle there is in getting certified. Guest (Unregistered Guest) Unregistered guest Posted on Tuesday, March 15, 2016 - 11:22 pm:    Robin and Ken, I am a specifier and a certified MBE/DBE. If you can please post your e-mail address, I will contact you off-board. Thanks. [or send it to me - colin@4specs.com to forward] Colin Gilboy Senior Member Username: colin Post Number: 425 Registered: 09-2005 Posted on Wednesday, March 16, 2016 - 09:03 am:    Dumb - I do not have the guest poster's email. If they would send it to me, I'll pass the response to Ken. Colin Colin Gilboy Publisher, 4specs.com 435.200.5775 - Utah 800.369.8008 ken hercenberg Senior Member Username: khercenberg Post Number: 994 Registered: 12-2006 Posted on Wednesday, March 16, 2016 - 01:41 pm:    It was nice of you to offer Colin. My email is Kenneth.hercenberg@aecom.com Anyone with access to the CSI member database can find me pretty quickly. Best regards, Ken Guest (Unregistered Guest) Unregistered guest Posted on Thursday, March 17, 2016 - 10:15 pm:    Colin, you are gracious - as usual! Ken, I will touch base with you soon. Thanks much, Ken and Colin. Vivian Volz, AIA, CSI, CCS Senior Member Username: vivianvolz Post Number: 156 Registered: 06-2004 Posted on Wednesday, April 20, 2016 - 04:32 pm:    Robin, I'm running a WBE and registered through the Supplier Clearinghouse. It was a bit of a pain to set up, but since I'd just gone through incorporating the practice, I had all the stuff at hand. Basically, I had to prove that I'm considered female (passport or birth certificate) and that I own the majority of the company (financial evidence of responsibility) and swear and affirm. I don't think it cost me anything except time and a notary fee. I think it has been instrumental in getting some office projects with a large utility company. But really, it feels more like a favor to my architect client, as they would probably have used me either way, but needed some MBE/WBE teammates in order to get considered for the job. If I'm helpful to them in getting jobs, I'm sure that's helpful to me, or at least to my relationships at that firm. As for whether I really want to be working for this utility, that remains to be seen... Ken, I doubt that my Supplier Clearinghouse certification is useful to your New York clients, since it's designed to respond to a California Public Utilities Commission requirement. I think John's probably correct that these are mostly set up by state. However, when I look up certified businesses in NY on Supplier Clearinghouse's web site I get 60 results, so apparently some businesses there are clamoring to sell widgets and services here.