Minority Business and GDOT Certification

Suppliers - Minority Business and GDOT Certification

Certification Process

A collaborative effort between the Georgia Department of Administrative Services (DOAS) and the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) provides a joint process for minority certification. Companies desiring to certify as a “minority business enterprise” or a “minority subcontractor” may do so by submitting an application to the GDOT. The GDOT Certification Application captures the required data used by DOAS. This eliminates duplication of effort for suppliers and provides greater exposure of certified minority companies to state and local procurement officials and private sector suppliers.

All minority-owned businesses are strongly encouraged to certify via GDOT’s Certification not only because it minimizes the duplication of effort in the certification process, but also suppliers will be listed on both GDOT’s list of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE) and DOAS’ list of Certified Minority Business Enterprises (MBE).

Certification provides greater exposure to larger companies (thereby increasing subcontracting opportunities) and to government procurement staff (thereby increasing opportunities to sell directly to government). Moreover, because GDOT receives federal funding for contracts, suppliers can participate in GDOT’s federal programs intended to increase participation of small, minority, women-owned and other elgible certified businesses.

Only suppliers who have successfully completed the unified certification process and Registered in Team Georgia Marketplace are listed as “Certified Minority Business Enterprises”. For more information on the certification process, contact the DOAS Helpdesk at 404-657-6000.

In accordance with O.C.G.A. § 48-7-38, when computing taxable net income of a Georgia based corporation, partnership, or individual, there shall be subtracted from federal taxable income or federal adjusted gross income 10 percent of the amount of qualified payments to certified minority subcontractors. For more information on filing only, contact the Georgia Department of Revenue at 404-417-2399.

Certified Minority Business Enterprise Listing

Getting Started

Complete the application and financial statement to begin the process of certification as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise or a Minority Business Enterprise/Minority subcontractor.

GDOT Certification Application

Personal Financial Statement

	Contact GDOT: Georgia Department of Transportation One Georgia Center 600 West Peachtree NW Atlanta, Georgia 30308 404-631-1990 Main Office
	Contact DOAS: DOAS Supplier Relations 200 Piedmont Avenue, S.W. Suite 1308, West Tower Atlanta, Georgia 30334-9010 404-657-6000
Note: The forms may not be faxed out or in because of the requirement to maintain originals.

Fact Sheet: MBE & Minority Subcontractor Certification Process

	What is different about the process?
	The process for certifying as a Minority Business Enterprise pursuant to OCGA 50-5-130 and as a Minority Subcontractor pursuant to OCGA 48-7-38 with the Georgia Department of Administrative Services (DOAS) has been streamlined. It now involves using the Georgia Department of Transportation's (GDOT) certification application and personal net worth affidavit as the central certification forms. This will result in dual certification with both DOAS and DOT.
	How does this process benefit minority suppliers?
	Minimizes duplication of effort for suppliers by consolidating the certification forms that can be used by both GDOT and DOAS; Enables suppliers to certify with two entities, DOAS and GDOT; Provides suppliers that certify with greater exposure to larger companies by listing on both the DOAS list of certified minority businesses and the GDOT list of disadvantaged business enterprises; Provides suppliers greater exposure to government procurement staff seeking minority suppliers to extend bid opportunities; and Allows access to Federal GDOT programs intended to increase participation of small, minority and woman-owned businesse;. Aligns certified minority subcontractors with Georgia corporations desiring to earn tax credits authorized through O.C.G.A. 48-7-38.
	How long will it take for a supplier to become certified?
	Suppliers can expect an evaluation period of 60 to 90 days. The certification process is very thorough and includes scheduled site visits, information exchange, document reviews, and transactions via the U. S. Postal Service.
	Is there any cost associated with certification?
	There is no cost to suppliers to apply for Minority Business Enterprise, Minority Subcontractor, or Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Certification.
	How long are certifications valid?
	The DBE/MBE certification process has been streamlined into an annual review process. Once a supplier becomes DBE and MBE certified, they maintain eligibility by submitting an annual affidavit to GDOT.