Nassau County Certification

How To Become A Certified Vendor by

Nassau County Minority / Women Business Enterprise Program

Who is Eligible For Certification?

An on-going independent business owned, operated, and controlled by minority group members and/or women is eligible. The ownership interest must be real, substantial, and continuing. The ownership interest must have and exercise the authority to independently control the business decisions of the enterprise. Generally, the business should have been in operation for at least one year. A vendor/supplier is eligible for certification as a Minority or Women-Owned Business Enterprise by Nassau County as defined below:

Minority Business Enterprise (MBE)

1. at least fifty-one percent (51%) owned by one or more minority group members; and
2. an enterprise in which such ownership is real, substantial, and continuing; and
3. an enterprise in which such minority ownership has and exercises the authority to control independently the day-to-day business decisions of the enterprise; and
4. an enterprise authorized to do business in this state and is independently owned and operated.

Minority Group Member shall mean a United States citizen or permanent resident alien who is and can demonstrate membership in one of the following groups:

• Black persons having origins in any of the Black African racial groups;
• Hispanic persons of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Dominican, Cuban, Central or South American descent of either Indian or Hispanic origin, regardless of race;
• Native American or Alaskan Native persons having origins in any of the original peoples of North America.
• Asian and Pacific Islander persons having origin in any of the Far East countries, South East Asia, the Indian subcontinent, or the Pacific Islands; or

Women-Owned Business Enterprises (WBE)

1. at least fifty-one percent (51%) owned by one or more United States citizens or permanent resident aliens who are women; and
2. an enterprise in which the ownership interest of such women is real, substantial, and continuing; and
3. an enterprise in which such women ownership has and exercises the authority to control independently the day-to-day business decisions of the enterprise; and
4. an enterprise authorized to do business in this state and is independently owned and operated.

How the Certification Process Works and How to become Certified?

• All interested vendors/suppliers must first register with Nassau County online
• A vendor/supplier that is certified as a Minority or Women Owned Business Enterprise by one or more of the following Nassau County designated comparable jurisdictions must complete the certification short form:
  • Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA)
  • New York City School Construction Authority (SCA)
  • New York State Empire Development Corporation
  • New York City Department of Small Business Services
  • New York/New Jersey Port Authority

Nassau County Office Of Minority Affairs--short form (PDF)

• A vendor/supplier that is not certified as a Minority or Women Owned Business Enterprise by one or more of the Nassau County designated comparable jurisdictions must complete the certification long form.

Nassau County Office of Minority Affairs – long form (PDF)

• All completed certification short and long forms must be returned to the Nassau County Office of Minority Affairs. 
• Upon receipt of the completed application the process of verification of the information on the application begins. The Office of Minority Affairs may ask you for clarification or for additional information. If your firm is rejected it generally means we are unable to process your application due to missing information.
• An interview is conducted by a member of our certification staff at your place of business or by phone.
• An analysis of your application and certification documentation is made and a determination to grant or withhold MBE or WBE status is made.
• Your firm is notified of the decision: Approved or Denied. You may review your certification status, once registered, within your vendor/supplier profile online

Why Get Certified in Nassau County?

The Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise program is designed to assist the growth and development of businesses owned and controlled by women and minority groups. An important activity of the program is to increase the participation of those businesses in the procurement activities within Nassau County government.

Nassau County Certification affords your business the opportunity to be listed in a Countywide Government Directory of Certified Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises used by County agencies and contractors. Because County government has been mandated by the Nassau County Executive and the Legislature to provide greater opportunity for participation by Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (M/WBEs) in County contracting, certification gives business owners an advantage when marketing goods and/or services to County agencies and authorities. The agencies and most of the prime contractors who do business with the County as well as many other corporations use the directory. Certification also allows a business the advantage of accessing a variety of loan and bonding programs as well as programs that provide technical assistance. These programs were specifically developed for historically under-utilized businesses that participate in the M/WBE program. Certification is your first link from "Disparity to Parity."

Who Performs Certification?

The Office of Minority Affairs is responsible for certification according to the Nassau County Local Law - 14 that calls for a Countywide Certification program. In October 2002, the County Executive took the lead and signed Local Law – 14. This Local- Law encourages meaningful participation of Minority/Women-Owned Businesses in contracts with Nassau County.

Out of State Businesses

Out-of state businesses may apply for Nassau County certification by writing for an application to

the Office of Minority Affairs. Additional information required to complete the application may vary depending upon your state of residence. You should be certified in your home state, if a similar process exists, before applying to Nassau County.

Out-of-state corporations must have authority to do business in New York State from the

Department of State, Division of Corporations (518) 473-2492.

After Certification

All certified companies are listed in the Nassau County's official Directory of Certified Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises. All County agencies and authorities use the directory as the primary source for identifying bona fide MBEs & WBEs for participation in Nassau County procurement. Most of the County's prime contractors and many corporations also use it. The directory is available to the public and is accessible via the Office of Minority Affairs website. Upon certification, you will also receive further information about doing business with Nassau County to assist you in marketing your business to agencies.

What if Your Application is Denied?

You may appeal the denial decision by notifying the Office of Minority Affairs in writing within thirty - (30) days of receipt of the denial letter. When your notice of appeal is received, an Independent Hearing Officer will schedule and conduct a hearing. After the hearing he/she will make a recommendation to the Executive Director. The Executive Director will issue a final order as the last step of the appeal process.

Definitions for Certification

Applicant. A business enterprise that has applied for certification as a minority and/or women-owned business enterprise.

Business Enterprise. Any entity, including a sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation which is authorized to and is engaged in lawful business transactions in accordance with New York State Law.

Certified Business. A business enterprise that has been approved by this Department for minority-owned business enterprise or women-owned business enterprise status subsequent to verification that the business is owned, operated, and controlled by minorities and/or women.

Directory. The directory of certified businesses prepared by the Executive Director for use by Nassau County agencies and contractors to comply with the provisions of Local Law NO. 14-2002, Title 53.

Independent Hearing Officer. An individual who has been designated by the Director to hear appeals of decisions denying or revoking certification.

For further information please contact:

Nassau County Office of Minority Affairs
One West Street ( Suite 136 )
Mineola, New York 11501
Telephone: 516-572-2240
Email Minority and Womens Business Enterprise Program

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