§ 102-425. Certification.

(a)

Minority/female business enterprise (MFBE).

(1)

In order to be certified as a minority or female business enterprise (MFBE) a business must be at least 51 percent owned and controlled by one or more minorities.

(2)

The MFBE has a place of business registered in official documents filed with the Secretary of State, State of Georgia; and holds a valid business or occupational tax license.

(3)

All firms participating in this program as a MFBE are encouraged to be certified with the office of contract compliance.

(4)

Applications for certification will be available for completion and submittal online and will include, but will not be limited to, primary business location, evidence of ownership, control, operation, and experience. The application shall be in the form of an affidavit and shall be signed by the applicant, such signature to be notarized by an officer duly authorized to notarize signatures.

(5)

The office of contract compliance will have the ability to accept third party certifications as approved by the board of commissioners.

(6)

All certified MFBE firms will be required to update their listing online continually including changes of addresses, telephone numbers, change of ownership, control and operation.

(7)

The director of the department of purchasing and contract compliance or his/her designee shall grant certification of an approved MFBE for a period of two years. All companies must request recertification of their business. If an MFBE is denied certification on the basis of information submitted, the company cannot reapply for certification for period of one year from the date of the notice of denial, provided that such company shall have the right to appeal such denial and to be certified if such appeal is decided in its favor as provided herein.

(8)

Certification records will be maintained by the office of contract compliance.

(9)

Appeals of denials of certification shall be made pursuant to section 102-439 of this Code.

(b)

Service disabled veteran business enterprise (SDVBE).

(1)

In order to be certified as a service disabled veteran business enterprise (SDVBE) a business must be at least 51 percent owned and controlled by one or more service disabled veterans.

(2)

The SDVBE has a place of business registered in official documents filed with the Secretary of State, State of Georgia; and holds a valid business or occupational tax license.

(3)

All firms participating in this program as a SDVBE are encouraged to be certified with the office of contract compliance.

(4)

Applications for certification will be available for completion and submittal online and will include, but will not be limited to, primary business location, evidence of ownership, control, operation, and experience. The application shall be in the form of an affidavit and shall be signed by the applicant, such signature to be notarized by an officer duly authorized to notarize signatures.

(5)

The office of contract compliance will have the ability to accept third party certifications as approved by the board of commissioners.

(6)

All certified SDVBE firms will be required to update their listing continually, including changes of addresses, telephone numbers, change of ownership, control and operation.

(7)

The contract compliance administrator shall grant certification of an approved SDVBE for a period of two years. All companies must request recertification of their business. If an SDVBE is denied certification on the basis of information submitted, the company cannot reapply for certification for period of one year from the date of the notice of denial, provided that such company shall have the right to appeal such denial and to be certified if such appeal is decided in its favor as provided herein.

(8)

Certification records will be maintained by the office of contract compliance.

(9)

Appeals of denials of certification shall be made pursuant to section 102-439 of this Code.

(c)

Small business enterprise program (SBE).

(1)

The Department of Purchasing and Contract Compliance will have the ability to accept SBE Certifications from United States DOT and Small Business Administration, GDOT, MARTA, cities, and counties within the Atlanta MSA, or other appropriate agencies.

(2)

All certified SBE firms will be required to notify the county of any material changes and update their listing online continually, including changes of contact information, addresses, telephone numbers, and changes of ownership, control and operation.

(3)

Certification records will be maintained by the Department of Purchasing and Contract Compliance.

(Res. No. 13-0052, 1-23-13; Res. No. 16-0864, 10-5-16)

Note— Formerly Code, Pt. II, § 102-423(4).