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Business Development
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WBE Frequently Asked Questions
The WBE certification provides credibility to women-owned businesses. Entities that chose to do business with women-owned businesses are confident that their reporting of dollars spent with women-owned businesses will be verifiable and credible. Certified women-owned businesses are eligible to be listed in the State of Wisconsin Directory of Women-Owned Businesses. Does it cost anything for a WBE certification? Each application shall include a $50.00 fee and an additional payment of $100 for two, one-year renewal fees. The total amount to be included with the application is $150.00. Does it cost anything to become certified if I already am DBE or MBE certified? The cost to already DBE or MBE certified businesses will be $100. The $100 is for two, one-year renewal fees. How long is the certification valid? The WBE certification is valid for three years, with a one year renewal review conducted by the department. How and when will the department notify the WBE certified business of their renewal? Prior to the end of the first two years of every three-year certification period, the department shall review any accumulated information for the WBE. As part of the review, the department may collect or require submittal of further information for the WBE. The review shall address whether the WBE is continuing to comply with Comm. 104. Unless the WBE certified business is notified by the department, the certification shall renew for the following year. What is required of a WBE certified business if they receive a department's notification of the intent to deny certification, renewal of a certification, to deny recertification or to decertify? The WBE certified business shall have 30 calendar days from the date of the department's notification to submit a written request for an informal hearing. If no request is made for an informal hearing, the determination to deny certification, renewal of certification, deny recertification or decertification shall become shall become final and the department will send a final notice of denial to the WBE. The WBE's name will be removed from the database of certified women-owned businesses. if the denial is upheld following an informal hearing, the DBE may appeal the decision by submitting a written request for a formal hearing to the department within 30 calendar days of the mailing of the notification of denial. What amount is refunded to the applicant should the WBE certification be denied by the department? The department shall refund the $100 two year renewal fees if the certification is ultimately denied. What amount is refunded to the applicant should the WBE renewal be denied by the department? If the WBE certified business is found to be ineligible in year two of the three year certification, the applicant will receive a refund of the third year renewal fee of $50.00. If the applicant is found to be ineligible in year three of the three year certification there shall be no refund. What amount is refunded to the applicant should the WBE certified business not wish to renew their certification in either year two or three of the three year certification period? The department will refund the renewal fee if the WBE certified business provides notification of its intent to the department prior to the end of each of the certification renewal dates. The department will refund $100.00 if notified of the intent before the renewal of the second year of the three year certification and $50.00 if notified before the renewal of the third year. What is meant by "relevant licenses"? Relevant licenses include any incorporated company or limited liability partnership that needs to be currently registered with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions. Any sole proprietor or general partnership trading under a trade name or assumed name needs a trade name issued by the Secretary of State's Office. In addition, relevant licenses can also include any locality's business licenses or trade licenses such as architects, CDL licenses, tax registration permits, etc. Why does the form have to be notarized and mailed? When a form is notarized, you are swearing and affirming that the information you have entered on the form is true, under penalty of perjury. Original signatures and the notary seal on a notarized document have to be mailed to the department or delivered by hand. What does "supporting documentation" mean? Supporting documentation means evidence that shows that what you have said in the application is true. The list of supporting documentation should be submitted with the application to prevent the delay in processing the WBE application. Most delays are caused by incomplete applications or missing documentation. Why do I have to provide the supporting documents and what is the department's policy regarding the confidentiality of the supporting documents? The department has to ascertain not only who owns the company, but also who controls and actively manages the company on a daily basis. Except as otherwised required by court order, legal process or other applicable Federal or Wisconsin law, including, without limitation, the Wisconsin Public Open Records Law (Wis. Stats. 19.31-19.39), the Department shall not reveal or disclose any financial or personally identifiable information without the written consent of the applicant. What is the bank authorization and signature card? The bank signature card is the application to open the account in the business name. It shows the authorized signatures of the person/people who own and control the bank account. This proves who actually controls the company on a day-to-day basis. If your bank will not give you a copy of that application form with signatures, ask them to write a letter of confirmation on their bank letterhead, stating who is the owner and signatory on the business account. Do I have to send the original documents? No. Please do not send us original documents, except the application form and affidavit. Send us copies only. I'm already a certified DBE or MBE but I want to be certified as a WBE, what is the process? The process is streamlined and the instructions will require an applicant to complete only questions one through five of the application, in addition to completing questions #15 and #18. The applicant should submit a copy of the DBE certification or MBE certification and submit the Affidavit on page 10. When / why does my certification expire? The certification expires in three years. The business may recertify their businesss for another three years. The reason for the recertification is to ensure that our database of certified firms is always current, with actual firms doing business and with correct contact information. Does certification guarantee that I will get state or other contracts? No. It is not a guarantee of contracts. You will still need to do marketing and networking. The certification is established in order to facilitate contracting capabilities for women-owned businesses with public and private sector entities. Certification doesn't give you anything in and of itself. Like any marketing tool, it's your strategy and plan that gets you the business. As a woman-certified company, you pitch your value with the vendor's awareness that you're a "diversity supplier" as a certified WBE. What is the purpose of an on-site visit? The main purpose is to confirm what was written in the application and the supporting documentation. It gives the department a chance to see the business facilities, understand the daily management process and answer any remaining questions we have about a company's eligibility. The on-site visit is at the discretion of the department. How long does the WBE certification process take? Certifications generally takes four to six weeks. Any deficiency in receipt of required information and documents may delay the certification process. What do I need to do to stay in the Program when my certification expires? The department shall send a recertification application form to each WBE at least 60 calendar days prior to the certification expiration date. Does the business need to be in operation at least a year in order to be eligible for WBE certification? The WBE rule states that a business operating less than one year may creates the presumption that an applicant does not or cannot satisfy the eligiblity standards for certification as a WBE. In such cases, the applicant has the burden of establishing to the department's satisfaction that the business meets the eligibility standards despite being formed within one year prior to an application for certification. Stock transferred from a male-owned business to a woman within preceding year also creates the presumption of ineligibility. For additional information on the certification program contact an Economic Development Consultant at 608-267-0297. |
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