King County SCS Certification FAQs:
1. What types of certification do you offer?
Business Relations and Economic Development (BRED) administers the Contracting Opportunities Program:
- Certification as a Small Contractor and Supplier (SCS)
2. What is the criterion for certification?
-
Federal ID number
-
Washington State Unified Business Identification (UBI) number
If you do not have a UBI number you can register with the state online at the following link: https://fortress.wa.gov/dol/mls/default.aspx in many cases a UBI number can be obtained within two days from the time you submit the required documents. You must be registered with the state prior to being certified as an SCS firm.
-
The business size must not exceed 50% of the SBA's current
Size standards are set by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and can be found at Table of Small Business Size Standards. Using the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes, the SBA has determined the gross receipts or number of employees a business can have and still be considered small. To determine your firm's size standard, you must first determine which NAICS code applies to your firm. During the evaluation process the SBA's size standard is cut in half to determine the King County size threshold.
-
Each Owner(s) personal net worth must not exceed $750K
Each owner must complete a Personal Financial Statement. The eligible owner's personal net worth cannot exceed $750,000. This calculation will exclude the owner's primary residence and the value of their ownership in the applicant business. This calculation will include any other properties or businesses held by the owner.
-
Business Development Training Requirement:
The Contracting Opportunities Program is a small business development program that requires all participants to complete 15 hours of business training during the fist year of enrollment.
Types of training include, but are not limited to:
- Vendor training
- Continuing education courses
- Online business courses
- Business seminars / Workshops
- University / Technical Institution classes
- Business or outreach forums
3. How do I submit an Application?
Download the application (Excel Format)
Complete all the questions on the application electronically using a computer. Print out the application and personal net worth forms then sign the forms. If the owner indicates that community property applies in section one of the personal net worth form then the spouse must sign as well.
Select "not applicable" if a question does not apply to you or the business. Do not leave the answer space blank.
Attach the past three year's business tax statements (if applicable)
Send by Mail:
Business Relations and Economic Development
400 Yesler Way, Suite 510
Seattle, WA 98104-7097
delivery option:
Bring your complete application packet in to BRED's office located at:
Downtown Seattle - Yesler Building(5th and Terrace) Floor 5, Suite 510
Keep a copy of the completed application and all documentation submitted to BRED for your records.
Important note:
KingCounty does not process incomplete application packets. If you do not answer all the application questions and attach all the required documentation, you will be notified via email of missing documentation.
4. Am I required to have a professional license to be certified?
- If Washington State requires a professional license to do the type of work your firm wants to be certified to do, the eligible owner must possess the applicable professional license.
- For example, in order for a firm to be certified to do electrical work, the eligible owner must be a licensed electrician. However, if a firm wants to be certified to provide IT Consulting services, the eligible owner does not need to possess any professional licenses because Washington State does not require an IT Consultant to be professionally licensed.
- This rule also applies if a professional license is required to operate any equipment necessary for the firm’s activities. For example, the eligible owner of a dump trucking firm must possess a Commercial Driver’s License.
5. Do I have to be in business for a certain length of time before I apply for certification? What must I do before I can apply for certification?
In order to apply for certification, your business must be ready to operate. What this means is that your business must be fully and properly licensed to conduct business in Washington State, and you must have any equipment, insurance, and any other resources that your business would need were it to be awarded a contract today. Start-up businesses are welcome to apply, as well as businesses that have been in operation for many years.
6. I am from out of state. Can I still be Certified as an SCS?
Yes, any firm can be certified as long as the eligibility requirements are satisfied.
7. Who has access to the information I provide with my application?
Applications and supporting documentation submitted to BRED for the contracting opportunities program are considered public records and subject to public disclosure. Certain personal and financial information is protected from public disclosure by state and federal law.
9. I don't have three years of taxes. What should I do?
- If you are a start-up business, you are not required to submit taxes. Indicate “new business” next to this item on the application.
- If you have been in business for less than three years, you are only required to submit taxes for the years you have been in business.
- If you have filed an extension for taxes with the IRS, submit a copy of the filed extension in lieu of the filed tax return. Note: You will be required to submit a copy of the filed tax return once it is filed.
- If you haven’t filed taxes and haven’t filed an extension for taxes, submit a signed statement explaining your situation.
10. How long does it take to get certified?
Typical processing time once a complete packet has been received: 10 Business Days
Rush requests are accepted to meet procurement deadlines; however there is no guarantee that an applicant will be certified prior to an RFP/ITB submittal deadline. To be eligible to an SCS incentive which has been established on a King County Procurement or to be deemed RESPONSIVE in meeting an SCS REQUIREMENT all firms listed on in the proposal or letter of intent MUST be certified prior the procurement submittal deadline.
When applications are received, they are prescreened for completeness. Any application packet that does not include a complete application and all required supporting documentation will not be processed. The applicant will be notified via email of the missing documentation and may then include the missing items and resubmit the application.
Once an application is determined to be complete, a review is conducted to determine if it satisfies all of the program eligibility criteria. In some instances the review process may include an on-site interview, job site visit, and interviews with owner(s) or third parties to verify the information submitted. The applicant may be asked to provide additional information/documentation at any time while the application is being processed.
11. How soon after I am certified will I receive a contract?
Certification does not guarantee that you will receive a contract. You are responsible for marketing your business and finding and bidding on contracts. King County will post any opportunities it receives on the Procurement website listed under Solicitations. We advise all of our certified firms to sign up on the Vendor Registration.
12. How do I get work as a certified firm? How do I use the certification to get work?
|
