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​Small Business Self-Certification & Small Diverse Business Verification FAQs

Where do I go to self-certify as a Small Business?

Go to http://bdisbo.prismcompliance.com > Self-certify or Recertify as a Small and/or Small Diverse Business > Start Application  > Start Application. Enter your company's Tax ID (without spaces or dashes) and 6-digit Vendor ID (SAP #) and click Find Me. Once your company has been located, click on SB to complete the application as a Small Business only or SB & SDB to begin the Small/Small Diverse Business application process. You must hold a current certification through one of the approved third-party certifiers to verify as a Small Diverse Business. View the Small Business Application Guide for step-by-step instructions and screenshots of the application process.


Where do I go to verify as a Small Diverse Business?

You will verify as a Small Diverse Business using the same application required for self-certification as a Small Business. Go to http://bdisbo.prismcompliance.com > Self-certify or Recertify as a Small and/or Small Diverse Business > Start Application  > Start Application. Enter your company's Tax ID (without spaces or dashes) and 6-digit Vendor ID (SAP #) and click Find Me. Once your company has been located, click on SB & SDB to begin the Small/Small Diverse Business application process, or if your company is already self-certified as a Small Business, click Yes to enter additional information for verification as a Small Diverse Business. View the Small Business Application Guide for step-by-step instructions and screenshots of the application process.


I don't have a 6-digit Vendor ID (SAP #). How do I get one?

Go to www.pasupplierportal.state.pa.us > Supplier Registration to register to do business with the Commonwealth.


My company is certified as a Disadvantaged Business through the Unified Certification Program (UCP) or the Small Business Administration 8(a) program but it is not minority or woman owned. Can the company be verified as a Small Diverse Business?

Small Diverse Business is a designation that includes Minority, Woman, Veteran, Service Disabled Veteran, Disability-Owned, and LGBT Business Enterprise only. To meet the requirements for SDB verification, a company must

  1. Be certified as a small business through the Small Business Contracting Program, and
  2. Hold a certification from an approved third party organization.

When the third party certification, such as that offered through the Unified Certification Program or the Small Business Administration 8(a) program, is for disadvantaged business, the company must provide proof of the owner's race or gender during the verification process. If the company is not at least 51% minority or woman owned, the company may not be verified as a Small Diverse Business.

Please see the Statement of Policy to review the eligibility requirements.


What is considered a full-time employee? What types of employees should be counted toward the 100 full time employee limit for small business self-certification?

All full time, part time, and temporary employees working for the business must be counted against the applicable employment limitation of 100 full time or full time equivalent employees. This also includes owners and management personnel for all facilities, including those outside the Commonwealth. The full-time equivalent (FTE) calculation is:

All Hours Worked by All Employees
Total Hours in a Full-Time Schedule

 


My company doesn't meet the threshold for the average three-year gross revenues and/or 100 Full Time Employee equivalent for small business certification, but I don't want to certify my company as a small business. I want to verify it as a Small Diverse Business. How can I do this?

Eligibility for Small Diverse Business verification begins with self-certification as a small business. A company cannot be verified as an SDB unless it meets the small business eligibility requirements.


What are the approved third party certifications that are accepted for Small Diverse Business verification?


My company was certified or verified as a minority, woman, veteran, service disabled veteran, disability, or LGBT-owned business by the Department of General Services in the past but is not now. Nothing has changed within the company since then. Can the company be verified as a Small Diverse Business (SDB) without a third party certification?

No. A company must hold a current certification from an approved third party to be verified as a Small Diverse Business.



How do I submit my third party certification for verification?

View the Small Business Application Guide for step-by-step instructions.


I want to verify as a Small Diverse Business (SDB), but my application with the third party is still in process. Can I still verify as an SDB?

To verify as an SDB, you must submit proof of a current third party certification. There is no guarantee that a third party certifier will approve an in-process application. The Commonwealth can only verify what has already been approved.


My company is already self-certified as a Small Business, but now I have my third party certification. How can I submit this for verification?

Follow the instructions above under Where do I go to verify as a Small Diverse Business? to submit your third party certification for verification.


How do I reverify as a Small Diverse Business (SDB)?

Your SDB expiration date is tied to your small business certification expiration date. 30 days prior to your expiration, you will receive an automatic email forwarded to the primary email address listed on your certification. The email will notify you that the renewal period is now open.

View the Small Business Application Guide for step-by-step instructions to access and navigate the application.

That's it. A reviewer will look over the information for verification and notify you if anything more is need. If nothing more is needed, you will receive an email notifying you that your verification has been approved, and you will find a link to the new certificate. The process can take approximately three weeks.


How do I update my contact information (address, phone, fax, email, etc.)?

Log on to your company's PRiSM profile at http://bdisbo.prismcompliance.com. See the Small Business Application Guide for instructions on navigating the application.


How do I get my certificate?

Log on to your company's PRiSM profile at http://bdisbo.prismcompliance.com. Click on Administration > Manage Vendor Records > Certifications to view current certifications and download certificates. See the Small Business Application Guide for instructions on navigating the application.