The U.S. Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency’s (MBDA) mission is to foster the growth and global competitiveness of minority business enterprises (MBEs). MBDA accomplishes its mission by funding and working cooperatively with Business Centers that assist clients that are socially or economically disadvantage, regardless of race or ethnicity, by facilitating transactions thrdough referrals, business consulting, contract bid/proposal preparation, loan packaging, and/or matching contract opportunities and capital sources (i.e., loans, equity, bonding, etc.). In addition, Business Centers help clients to achieve their growth objectives by connecting them with prospective strategic partners through business-to-business matching, teaming arrangements, joint ventures, or other strategic advisory services.
By completing this form,your company is engaging with the MBDA for business consulting or other services. MBDA does not guarantee any particular outcome or business result on behalf of the client or associated third parties and is not liable for any outcomes or business decisions made by the client or associated third parties.
Certification
Under this agreement, the client certifies under penalty of perjury that it is a minority business enterprise (MBE), as defined by the MBDA Act. 15 U.S.C. §§ 9501(9), (15). A minority business enterprise (MBE) under the MBDA Act is a business enterprise majority-owned and controlled by at least one socially or economically disadvantaged individual. 15 U.S.C. § 9501(9). A socially disadvantaged individual is an individual who has been subjected to racial or ethnic prejudice or cultural bias because of the identity of the individual as a member of a group, without regard to any individual quality of the individual that is unrelated to that identity. 15 U.S.C. § 9501(15). An economically disadvantaged individual is an individual whose ability to compete in the free enterprise system been impaired due to diminished capital and credit opportunities, as compared to others in the same line of business and competitive market areas, because of the identity of the individual as a member of a group, without regard to any individual quality of the individual that is unrelated to that identity. 15 U.S.C. § 9501(15). An individual of any race or ethnicity may meet the definition of socially or economically disadvantaged under the MBDA Act.
Privacy Disclosure and Information Use
By submitting this form, your company agrees to allow the Business Center and/or MBDA to share this document, information contained therein, and any supplementary material provided by your company (collectively “Client Engagement Form”) on an as needed basis, with United States Government agencies to carry out appropriate due diligence and more effectively advocate for your interests. The Client Engagement Form also may be used by MBDA and Business Centers for the purposes of conducting research, studies, and analysis consistent with the MBDA mission as stated in the MBDA Act. The Client Engagement Form is considered business confidential and will not be shared with any other person or organization outside the U.S. Government unless MBDA is given permission to do so by your company. All business confidential information will be protected from disclosure to the extent permitted by law.
Public Burden Statement
According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no person is required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a valid Office of Management and Budget control number. Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 10 minutes per response, including time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering, and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Your response is voluntary. Send comments regarding the burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to the:
Minority Business Development Agency
Office of the Chief Operating Office
Attention: Information Management Division:
1401 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Room 5612
Washington, DC 20230