PRELIMINARY ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
1. SBA CERTIFICATION
I understand, per U.S. Small Business Administration regulations, I may obtain WOSB or EDWOSB certification, at no cost, through the SBA at https://certifications.sba.gov/.
2. PRE-REGISTRATION ON SAM
I confirm that my business has a profile on the System for Award Management (SAM) - http://www.sam.gov/SAM/.
3. APPLICANT MUST SUBMIT AN APPLICATION TO SBA AT SBA's WEBSITE
I understand, to be eligible to compete for WOSB and/or EDWOSB set-aside contracts, my firm must submit an application to SBA at SBA’s website at https://certifications.sba.gov registering in SAM and submitting the required document in https://certifications.sba.gov/.
4. FAIR AND IMPARTIAL DETERMINATIONS
I acknowledge, that the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce is required to render fair and impartial EDWOSB and WOSB certification determinations. I understand that a conflict of interest occurs when a person or entity has an interest which makes it unable to render impartial assistance or advice, or the person's or entity's objectivity in performing is impaired, such as if the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce (or any individual reviewing this certification application) has a direct or indirect ownership or control or other financial interest in the Applicant being reviewed. I confirm that no such conflict of interest exists with my firm.
5. NON DESCRIMINATION
I acknowledge, the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce does not decline to accept or approve an application for EDWOSB or WOSB certification on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, or marital or family status.
6. CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT
I understand, the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce will safeguard the confidential information provided by SBA or the Applicant. I understand that the signature on this document by an executive leader of the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce constitutes the commitment of the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce to a confidentiality agreement with my firm and that the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce guarantees it will not release to anyone except my firm (and, as appropriate in the performance of their official functions, SBA and other government officials) any confidential information received from my firm.
7. CLEAR CERTIFICATION PROCESS
I understand, the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce has a written, clear and objective certification process for accepting, reviewing, and examining an application for WOSB or EDWOSB certification, as well as for declining and withdrawing WOSB and EDWOSB certifications. This process is available for viewing at uswcc.org/certification.
8. ADHERENCE TO REQUIREMENTS OF 13 C.F.R. PART 127
I acknowledge, the certification process requires my firm, as the Applicant, to provide the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce with sufficient information to evaluate whether my firm satisfies all of the requirements set forth in 13 C.F.R. part 127. These requirements include, but are not limited to:
The firm is:
a. A small business concern under SBA’s size standards for its primary industry classification;
b. At least 51 percent owned and controlled by one or more women who are United States citizens; and
c. In the case of a concern applying for EDWOSB certification, at least 51 percent owned and controlled by one or more women who are United States citizens and economically disadvantaged.
The U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce is required to examine my firm’s request for WOSB or EDWOSB certification based on the requirements set forth in 13 C.F.R. part 127 and only approve my firm’s request if the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce finds that my firm has satisfied all such requirements.
9. DOCUMENTS REQUIRED
I understand, at a minimum, my firm and my firm's owners will be required to provide the following documents (signed as applicable):
a. Birth certificates, Naturalization papers, or unexpired passports for owners who are women;
b. Copy of the joint venture agreement with any third party, if applicable;
c. For limited liability companies: (i) Articles of organization (also referred to as certificate of organization or articles of formation) and any amendments; and (ii) Operating or member agreement, and any amendments;
d. For corporations: (i) Articles of incorporation and any amendments; (ii) By- laws and any amendments; (iii) All issued stock certificates, including the front and back copies, signed in accord with the by-laws; (iv) Stock ledger; and (v) Shareholder or voting agreements, if any;
e. For partnerships, the partnership agreement and any amendments;
f. For sole proprietorships (and corporations, limited liability companies and partnerships if applicable), the assumed/fictitious name certificate(s);
g. Information to verify the business is small for its primary NAICS (see 13 C.F.R. part 121); AND
h. For EDWOSBs, in addition to the above, the two most recent personal income tax returns (including all schedules and W-2 forms) for the women claiming economic disadvantage and their spouses, unless the individual and their spouse are legally separated.
10. CLARIFICATION
I acknowledge, the certification process requires the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce to maintain the right, at its discretion, to request clarification of information contained in my firm's application including requests for written clarifications, access to my firm's physical location(s) (on-site evaluations of facilities, documents and personnel), products, or records at any time in the certification process. Further, I expressly acknowledge that the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce may request said clarifications and/or on-site evaluation any time my firm holds a WOSB or EDWOSB certification from the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce.
11. ELIGIBILITY AND CHANGES IN STATUTE OR REGULATIONS
I understand, the certification process requires the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce to ensure that all certified WOSBs and EDWOSBs meet the eligibility criteria of the program including any subsequent changes in statute or regulations.
12. ELIGIBILITY AND CHANGES IN CIRCUMSTANCES
I understand, the certification process requires my firm to promptly inform the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce of any changed circumstances that could adversely affect my firm's eligibility for the program (including a change in the WOSB or EDWOSB, as well as a change in SBA regulation) and requires the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce to consider any changed circumstances for my firm occurring subsequent to application and which adversely affect eligibility. I understand, should there be any changed circumstances, the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce will consider whether such changed circumstances are grounds to decline or withdraw my firm's application.
13. DECISION TO APPROVE OR DECLINE
I understand, the certification process requires the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce decision to approve or decline WOSB or EDWOSB certification to be in writing and state the specific reasons for decline.
14. ACTIONS REQUIRING DECLINE
I understand, the certification process requires the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce to decline my firm's application for WOSB or EDWOSB Certification if:
a. There are any deficiencies from one or more certification criteria identified in 13 C.F.R. part 127, and my firm fails to address the deficiencies in a timely and acceptable manner (as determined by the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce).
b. My firm unduly delays, limits, or denies the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce access to the establishment, products, or records needed to verify compliance with certification criteria.
c. The U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce discovers that my firm, or any of its officers or employees, engages in any improper actions in connection with the certification process, such as providing false information to the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce or SBA.
d. My firm is currently debarred or suspended from Federal Government Contracting.
15. QUALITY ASSURANCE
I understand, the certification process requires the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce to maintain a written quality assurance program identifying the review/audit process, our documentation, methods of internal review, identification of staff position(s) performing the reviews, and at least annual review.
16. THE CERTIFICATION DOCUMENT
I understand, valid WOSB or EDWOSB certifications awarded by the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce will meet the following requirements:
The certification:
a. Will be based on circumstances existing on the date of application or any subsequent certification (i.e. a re-certification) and identify such date on the certification.
b. Will state on the certification that “This WOSB Certification will be effective for three years from the date identified on the certification letter. The identified small business must attest annually to meeting the WOSB or EDWOSB eligibility requirements. If there is a change in SBA’s regulations that makes the WOSB or EDWOSB ineligible or if there is a change in the WOSB or EDWOSB that makes the WOSB or EDWOSB ineligible, this WOSB or EDWOSB Certification is immediately invalid.”
c. Will require the WOSB or EDWOSB to promptly inform the Third Party Certifier and SBA of any changed circumstances, including a change in SBA’s regulation or a change in the WOSB or EDWOSB, that could make the WOSB or EDWOSB ineligible for the WOSB program or of any intended changes that may affect certification in the future. The certification process must show that the Third Party Certifier will consider whether such changed circumstances are grounds for withdrawal.
d. Will provide that failure to inform the Third Party Certifier of any such changed circumstances constitutes good cause for which the certification may be withdrawn or grounds for decline of the application for certification.
e. Will be dated and state that: “The identified small business is an eligible WOSB or EDWOSB for the WOSB Program, as set forth in 13 C.F.R. part 127 and has been certified as such by an SBA approved Third Party Certifier pursuant to the Third Party Certifier Agreement, dated , and available at https://certifications.sba.gov.”
f. Will state that “The WOSB or EDWOSB must not misrepresent its certification status to any other party, including any local or State government or contracting official or the Federal government or any of its contracting officials.”
17. CERTIFICATION WITHDRAWAL
I understand, the certification process requires the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce to immediately withdraw my firm's certification and notify the Small Business Administration if:
a. The WOSB or EDWOSB no longer satisfies any of the requirements in 13 C.F.R. part 127 of SBA’s regulations.
b. The WOSB or EDWOSB unduly delays, limits, or denies the Third Party Certifier access to the establishment, products, or records needed to verify compliance with the certification criteria.
c. The WOSB or EDWOSB, or any of its officers or employees, engages in any improper actions in connection with the certification process, such as providing false information to the Third Party Certifier or SBA.
D. A concern that voluntarily withdraws from the WOSB program may immediately apply for certification, if it believes that it is currently eligible per regulations at § 127.305(c).
18. PROMPT NOTIFICATION OF NEW CONDITIONS
I understand, the certification process requires my firm to promptly notify the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce in writing of any new conditions that could cause my firm to no longer satisfy the requirements set forth in 13 C.F.R. part 127 or of any intended changes to that may affect certification in the future.
19. WITHDRAWAL NOTIFICATION AND EXPLANATION IN WRITING
I understand, the certification process requires the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce to immediately notify SBA in writing if my firm's certification has been withdrawn, as well as the basis for withdrawal.
20. WITHDRAWAL DETAILS
I understand, the certification process requires the withdrawal letter to my firm to explain the following:
a. The business concern is withdrawn as a certified WOSB or EDWOSB under the WOSB Program, effective on the date stated;
b. The business concern will not submit an offer on or receive award of any WOSB or EDWOSB contract under the WOSB Program starting from the date of the withdrawal;
c. The business concern will no longer be represented as a WOSB or EDWOSB in the System for Award Management (SAM);
d. The business concern is obligated by contract to complete all previously awarded WOSB or EDWOSB contracts, including modifications within the scope and price options which may be exercised.
21. DOCUMENT STORAGE AND MANAGEMENT
I understand, the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce will retain all of the documentation submitted by my firm for a period of six (6) years from the date of initial certification, as well as any recertification. The U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce will maintain such documents in a permanent and secure system and will not allow my firm (either before or after my firm's certification application has been considered) to withdraw or modify supporting documents once submitted (but will allow additional documents to be submitted if my firm indicates that modifications were made in already-submitted supporting documents).
22. PROMPT AND ORDERLY DISPOSITION
I understand, If the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce stops processing certification applications for any reason, any documents, materials or communications received after such stoppage will be collected and promptly, orderly, and efficiently delivered to the SBA.
23. PROVIDING OF DOCUMENTATION TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
I acknowledge and confirm, the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce has full authority to provide SBA or any Federal Government entity (e.g., the U.S. Government Accountability Office) with any documentation relied upon for certification upon request by SBA or any Federal Government entity in response to a status protest, eligibility examination, performance review, investigation or audit in the timeframe specified.
24. FULL ACCESS TO DOCUMENTATION AND FACILITIES BY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
I understand, the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce will supply, in a timely manner, all requested information, files and documents to SBA or any other Federal agency in the timeframe specified for any evaluation or review of the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce and its process or compliance, and also for the evaluation of any certified concern. The SBA or any other Federal agency has the right to review all requested information in any and all formats available, including electronic and hard copy. The SBA or any other Federal agency has the right to enter any facility in which such requested information, files and documents are kept and review such materials.
25. SBA RESERVES RIGHT TO AMEND THIRD PARTY CERTIFIERS
I understand, the SBA reserves the right to amend the requirements for the WOSB Program at any time. Revisions to the requirements may require termination of the approval of the U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce as a Third Party Certifier, modification of this Certification Form, re-approval of the U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce as a Third Party Certifier and/or re-certification of existing certified WOSBs or EDWOSBs.
26. CLARIFICATIONS AND SBA CONTROL
I understand, if the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce is uncertain about any requirement under 13 C.F.R. part 127, or SBA’s interpretation of any requirement therein, it will seek clarification from SBA. In the event of any conflict between SBA’s interpretation of its regulations and those of the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce, the SBA’s interpretation shall be the controlling interpretation.
27. EXAMINATIONS AND PROTESTS
I acknowledge and confirm, the SBA has the authority under 13 C.F.R. part 127 to conduct program examinations and protests on concerns that that have been approved by the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce and that SBA may find that these business concerns are not eligible.
28. FEES, APPLICATION, DOCUMENTATION, PROCESS, ACCESS TO ONLINE SYSTEM
I acknowledge and confirm the following:
a. The U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce charges for this certification service and annual attestation requirements and utilizes web-based systems for payment, application completion and signing of documents as well as collection (uploading) of required and requested documents. After signing and submitting this "Preliminary Acknowledgements" document, my firm will pay a non-refundable certification fee, complete a certification application, and submit all required and requested documents.
b. Failure by the Applicant to complete required application documents and/or provide/upload required or requested documents shall not constitute cause for refund of certification fees paid by applicant for certification services.
c. This “Preliminary Acknowledgements” document has been accurately and fully completed and executed and fees paid, U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce staff will review the payment and this document for completeness and accuracy prior to providing access to the “My Certification” online engagement system at http://womenowned.us/mycertification (or any future online engagement system provided by the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce to facilitate this process). The “My Certification” online system provides communications from the U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce as well as the tool to upload required and requested documents.
d. Electronic mail address notifications and updates (including decision letters) will be sent periodically to the electronic mail address provided for the Authorized Owner/Executive (as provided within this document) from certification@uswcc.com. I acknowledge the U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce will consider any communication and decision sent to this electronic mail address provided to have been received by the applicant concern. I further acknowledge, these electronic mail notifications are courtesy communications, and I will upload all required documents and periodically login at http://womenowned.us/mycertification (or any future online engagement system provided by the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce to facilitate this process) to view current communications regarding my application and status.
e. As the U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce is required by the SBA to retain all documentation and communications with my firm for a period of six (6) years. Consequently, all support communications will be in writing between both parties. Should I seek to engage with the U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce during this process, I will login at http://womenowned.us/mycertification and upload or post a question or statement using the “My Certification” online communication system (or any future online engagement system provided by the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce to facilitate this process).
f. All the statements and information provided in this form and any documents submitted are true, accurate and complete. If assistance was obtained in completing this form and the supporting documentation, I have personally reviewed the information and it is true and accurate. I understand that these statements are made for the purpose of determining eligibility as a Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) or Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB) under the WOSB Program.