King County SCS Certification FAQs:

1. What types of certification do you offer

The Business Development and Contract Compliance Section administers the Contracting Opportunities Program:

• Certification as a Small Contractor and Supplier (SCS)
  
  

2. What is the criterion for certification?

• Federal Tax Identification Number (TIN)
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• 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. The certification reviewer will use the primary NAICS code shown on your the Federal Tax Statements for your company to evaluate its business size. If your company is a new business the determination of the business primary NAICS code will be obtained from the WA State Department of Revenue . During the evaluation process the SBA's size standard is reduces by 50% to determine the King County business size threshold.
  
  
•  Each Owner(s) personal net worth must not exceed $750K
  
  
• Each owner must complete a Personal Financial Statement. An 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 certification.
  
  
• Types of training include, but are not limited to: 
• Vendor training / Networking Events
• Continuing education courses 
• Online business courses
• Business seminars / Workshops
• University / Technical Institution classes
• Business or outreach forums
  
  

3. How do I submit an Application?

There are two options for getting certified as a Small Contractor and Supplier (SCS).

1. The Traditional Method - Complete the Business Application + submit a Personal Net Worth Statement (for each owner) + submit signed copies the Company's Federal Tax Statements for the previous three years.

• Complete all the questions on the application using a computer. Print the application and personal net worth forms. Sign the forms. If an owner indicates that community property applies in section one of the personal net worth form, than the spouse must also sign this document. (Only one personal net worth statement is required for married owners.)
• 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 Federal Business Tax Statements. If your business is new then submit a Federal Business Tax Statement for each year filed.
  
  

2. The NEW Method - Complete the Business Application then download the CPA Affidavits for company size verification and each owner's personal net worth verification. A licensed CPA must review your company tax statements and all documents required to determine each owners' personal net worth prior to signing and notarizing the affidavits. Once the application and each affidavit are completely filled out submit these documents to the address below.

• Businesses seeking this option must use a third party Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
• King County does not endorse or offer assistance in seeking a licensed CPA to complete this review. Any costs associated with the business size or personal net worth review by an independent licensed CPA is the sole responsibility of the business owners seeking certification.
• It is the responsibility of a licensed CPA to request any and all documents needed to perform a complete and thorough personal net worth evaluation for each owner of the business seeking SCS certification.
• In the case of multiple owners; each owner is not required to use the same CPA for verification of personal net worth.
• Only notarized affidavits will be accepted by King County.
  
  

Send by Mail:

ATTN: SCS Certification Submittal
Business Development and Contract Compliance
401 Fifth Avenue, 3rd Floor
M.S. CNK-ES-0350
Seattle, WA 98104

Delivery option:

Bring your complete application packet to the Business Development and Contract Compliance in Downtown Seattle, Chinook Building, 401 Fifth Avenue (located between 5^th Avenue and Jefferson Street) 3rd Floor

Keep a copy of the completed application and all documentation submitted to BDCC for your records.

Important note: King County will 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. In addition, the certification review process will stop until the BDCC office receives the information and all supporting documentation requested.

4. Am I required to have a professional license to be certified?

• If Washington State requires a professional license for the type of work your company performs, the eligible owner must possess the applicable professional license to be certified by the County.
• 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 is seeking certification 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. This means that your business must be licensed fully and properly to conduct business in Washington State. You must also have all equipment, insurance, and other resources necessary for your business to provide the goods and/or perform the services should it 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, as long as your company meets the eligibility requirements for certification.
  
  

7. Who has access to the information I provide with my application?

• Applications and supporting documentation submitted to BDCC 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 laws.
  
  

9. I don't have three years of tax statements. What should I do?

• If you are a start-up business, you are not required to submit tax statements. 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 tax statements for the years that your company has 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 have not filed taxes or filed an extension for taxes, submit a signed statement that explains your situation.
  
  

10. How long does it take to get certified?

• Current processing time once a complete application packet has been received: 30 Business Days
  
  
• Rush requests are accepted to meet procurement deadlines; however there is no guarantee that an applicant business will be certified prior to an RFP/ITB submittal deadline. To be eligible for an SCS incentive that has been established on a King County Procurement, or to be deemed RESPONSIVE in meeting an SCS REQUIREMENT, all firms listed in the proposal or Letter of Intent MUST be certified prior the bid or proposal due date.
  
  
• All application packets are prescreened for completeness. King County will not process any application packet that does not include a fully completed application and all required documentation. The applicant will be notified via email of the missing documentation. The applicant must obtain the missing documentation 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?

• Advertise that your business is an SCS certified firm in your marketing materials.
• Indicate that your company is an SCS certified firm on Solicitation Document Holders List once you register as a Vendor
• Check King County Procurement website weekly at https://procurement.kingcounty.gov/procurement_OVR/Login.aspx?ReturnUrl=/procurement_OVR/default.aspx : Updates are posed once or twice per week depending on Contract type.
• Goods and Service suppliers can visit the list of King County Buyers to see who handles the specific commodity you offer and email them to find out if the County has a need for your service.