June 25, 2013
Wendell Point, Ph.D.
Civil Rights Program Consultant
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Presentation Questions to Address:
 What are the SWaM and DBE Programs and which
agencies are authorized to certify companies?
 Which firms are eligible for the certifications?
 What are the benefits?
 What is the certification process for each?
 How can the GEC assist your firm with the certification
process?
 What is the Web address to learn more about the Virginia
MegaProjects?
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What is the Virginia
MegaProjects Program?
 Regional Private Public Partnership (PPP) projects.
 Bundle of projects include:
 495 Express Lanes
 Dulles MetroRail Phase I
 I-95 Fourth Lane Widening
 BRAC Phases I-IV
 95 Express Lanes
 Total project cost ranges is in excess of $5 Billion.
 Each project has a DBE participation goal.
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Why Certify?
 To better market your firm via Virginia
Department of Minority Business Enterprises'
(VDMBE) on-line database to private entities that
may be interested in hiring your company.
 To increase access to work on certain projects with
inclusion goals.
 To gain access to State/local resources.
 To expand networking opportunities.
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SWaM Program Overview
SWaM is the acronym for Small, Women- and Minorityowned businesses.
 Executive Order 33, August 10, 2006, established the
SWaM procurement initiative to enhance business
opportunities for small, women-owned, and minorityowned businesses.
 The 40% state discretionary spending procurement
(SWaM) goal is to ensure a level playing field for all
small businesses in Virginia.
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SWaM Eligibility Requirements
 An independently owned and operated business which, together
with affiliates, has 250 or fewer employees, or average annual gross
receipts of $10 million or less averaged over the previous three years.
 Service Disabled Veterans are able to obtain certification as a SWaM
upon receipt of the “Service Disabled” certification by the
Department of Veterans Services and by meeting the eligibility
requirements of the SWaM Program.
 Firms certified by either of the Virginia Minority Supplier Diversity
Council or the Women President’s Educational OrganizationDC/WBENC are only required to complete the on-line application
and submit a copy of the signed on-line application along with its
certification letter to complete the process.
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Important SWaM Eligibility Notice!
 Businesses from the following states are not eligible to
participate in the Virginia SWaM Program because of
Certification restrictions in their home states:
Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut,
Florida, Iowa, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, New
Mexico, Ohio, Texas, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia
 Non-Virginia businesses not listed above should be
prepared to send their Home State certification as a
Small, Woman or Minority-owned business.
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SWaM Application Steps
 Complete the on-line application for SWaM
certification found at:
http://www.dmbe.virginia.gov/swamcert.html.
 Print, sign, and date the completed application form.
 Mail the signed application and the required
supporting documents to VDMBE within 10 days.
Important notice: You must mail your signed application
with the required supporting documents or your
application will not be processed!
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Disadvantaged Business
Enterprise (DBE) Program
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DBE Program Overview
 The Federal Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE)
program exists for companies that are doing business in the
transportation sector and are looking to win contracts which
are funded by Federal dollars from the US Department of
Transportation.
 Companies typically include heavy construction companies
building roads and bridges, engineering firms, railroad
industries, Port Authorities, and airport design and airport
concessions companies.
 The DBE Program is governed by the Federal Regulations in
49 CFR 26 and 23.
 Virginia recognized DBE certifying agencies are MWAA and
VDMBE. There is no need to submit an application to both
agencies.
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DBE Eligibility Requirements
 51% owned and controlled by one or more socially and
economically disadvantaged individuals (women and/or
minorities). This includes management of daily business
operations.
 Disadvantaged owner(s) must be a U.S. citizen or
a lawfully admitted permanent U.S. resident.
 Firm must meet SBA small business size standards and
cannot exceed $22.41 million in average annual gross
receipts (3 year average).
 Firm must be organized as a for-profit business.
 Home State first (must be certified by home state certifying
agency).
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DBE Certification Process
 Print out and complete the Uniform Certification
Application, the Gross Receipts Survey and the Personal
Net Worth Statement.
 Get the Application Form (Affidavit of Certification) and
the Personal Net Worth Statement notarized.
 Collect copies of the supporting documentation on the
checklist at the end of the application form. Make sure
tax returns are SIGNED.
 Firms whose home office is located outside of Virginia
must first seek DBE certification in their home state!
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DBE Certification Process Cont.
 Send the application forms package plus supporting
documents to either MWAA or VDMBE. This
depends on whose Uniform Certification
Application you start with!
 Site visit/interview with principal owner(s).
 Request for additional information/clarification (if
necessary).
 Render final decision (within 90 days of receipt of full
application including additional requested
information).
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Web Addresses of Interest
 Virginia Department of Minority Business Enterprise
http://www.dmbe.virgina.gov
 Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority
http://www.mwaa.com/business_information/contr
acting_opportunities/equal_opportunity_programs
/ldbe_dbe_certification
 Virginia Department of Transportation -
Prequalification
http://virginiadot.org/business/const/prequal.asp
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Visit these Mega Projects for
Contracting Information
 Dulles Metrorail Extension Project
www.dullestransitpartners.com
 I-495 Capital Beltway HOT Lanes Project
www.virginiahotlanes.com
 Fairfax County Parkway Extension Project
www.fairfaxcountyparkway.org
 I-95 Widening Project
http://www.virginiadot.org/projects/northernvirginia/i95_fourth_lane_widening.asp
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CONTACT INFORMATION
Wendell Point, Ph.D.
Civil Rights Program Consultant
Virginia MegaProjects Program
6363 Walker Lane, Ste 500
Alexandria VA 22310
Phillip Burks
DBE/SWaM Manager 95 Express Lanes
6621 Electronic Dr. # U
Springfield Va. 22151
[email protected]
(c/o) 540.847.8935
[email protected]
(O) 703-839-7228
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THANK YOU!
QUESTIONS ?
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