Mid-South Minority Business Council
"Bridging Partnerships...Maximizing Business Growth"

158 Madison Avenue, Suite 300  .  Memphis, Tennessee 38103  .  (901) 525-6512

 

What is the Uniform Certification Agency?
What is Certification?
How to Apply for Certification
Re-certification
Benefits of UCA Certification
Services Provided to Members
Certification Application

 

What is the Uniform Certification Agency?

The Uniform Certification Agency (UCA) was formed in 1994 under the auspices of the Mid-South Minority Business Council. The UCA was formed to reduce the time and paperwork required for minorities, women and locally owned small businesses to become certified; and to reduce the cost and burden of certification for Corporate Members. Certification through the UCA is accepted all MMBC Corporate Members. For a list of Corporate Members, contact the UCA at (901) 525-6512.

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What is Certification?

Certification is a qualifying process that ensures the corporate buyer that an individual business is truly minority/woman/local small business owned and controlled.

Certification is important for three reasons:

1. It helps to weed out "false front" operations taking advantage of loopholes in the law.

2. It totally eliminates the need to have your buyers screen suppliers to determine minority/woman/local small business ownership and control.

3. It complies with federal regulations, which require the provision of subcontracting opportunity for minority-owned business under Public Law and other executive orders.

The certification process requires a thorough investigation of a company's operations including, but not limited to: financial statements, by-laws, charter, stock certificates, lease agreements, salaries of owners, number of employees, licenses/authorities, etc.

Each applicant undergoes a personal interview with a member of the Uniform Certification Agency's staff and may receive a site visit. Minority firms certified under guidelines developed jointly by the MMBC and UCA in accordance with federal regulations (49 CFR).

Rejection of a supplier for certification does not necessarily mean the business is not minority/woman owned and controlled. Failure of a business to become certified means the applicant has failed to meet the criteria established by the UCA, its Board of Directors and federal regulations (49 CFR).

How to Apply for Certification

A UCA Application may be obtained by downloading the UCA Application Form and print or call (901) 525-6512 and request that an application be faxed or mailed.  The completed application must be notarized and submitted with other requested documentation as outlined in the application.

LSB Application Form

PLEASE NOTE: The M/WBE application provides the opportunity to seek certification as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) for federally funded projects through the Memphis/Shelby County Airport Authority (MSCAA) and the Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA).  DBE Certification is optional.  Applicants who do not wish to seek DBE Certification must submit the Non-DBE Affidavit, notarized, along with the UCA Application and required documents.  The completed application will consist of the UCA Application along with the DBE Documents or the Non-DBE Affidavit and all required documents based on the structure of the company.  If you have questions regarding the application you may call:

• (901) 525-6512 Ext. 16  for the following industries: Construction, Cleaning/Janitorial Supplies/Services, Landscape/Lawn Services, Pest/Termite Control, Architecture/Engineering Related Services,

• (901) 525-6512 Ext. 18  for the following industries: Advertising/Marketing/Promotional Services, Communication Equipment/Services, Computer Supplies/Services, Finance/Insurance, Industrial Equipment/Supplies, Manufacturer, Products, Retail Wholesale trade, Transportation, Food Services, Medical Supplies/Services, Printing Supplies/Services, Professional Services. 

• (901) 525-6512  Ext. 12  for the following industries:   Services (Includes: Security, Staffing, Couriers, Environmental Consultants, Consulting Services,  Interior Design, Signs, Photography, etc.)

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Re-Certification

Companies certified by the Uniform Certification Agency are certified for a period of one year.  Certified companies wishing to maintain their certification status must submit Annual Affidavit Updates on a yearly basis.  This annual update must be submitted thirty (30) days prior to the expiration date shown on the MBE/WBE/LSB certificate.  This is a must to avoid interruption in your company’s current certification.  You may obtain the Annual Affidavit Update  LSB.  This document must be completed, signed and notarized and returned to the Uniform Certification Agency along with the company’s most recent Tax Return and most current financial statement.   

Members whose companies certified as Disadvantaged Business Enterprises are certified for a three (3) year period (see date on DBE Certificate).  DBE paperwork must be re-submitted thirty (30) days prior to the expiration date shown on the DBE Certificate.  You may obtain Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE) Paperwork by clicking on the following links.   Please return this paperwork along with your past three (3) years Individual Tax Returns to : The Uniform Certification Agency, P. O. Box 3060, Memphis, TN   38173 . For Courier and/or Overnight Deliveries: The Uniform Certification Agency, 158 Madison Avenue, Suite 300, Memphis, TN  38103 

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 Benefits of UCA Certification

• Certification through the UCA provides your company immediate access to state, local and federal governments, as well as major corporations.

• UCA is a one-stop shop for certification. UCA certification is accepted by participating agencies and most local and state agencies.

• Certification assures governments and/or corporations that those purchasing dollars earmarked for minority or woman owned businesses indeed go to minority or woman owned businesses.

• Assigned Specialist

• Certified members have the opportunity to become members of MMBC by becoming Gold Members and participating in the benefits of Gold Membership in addition to the benefits of Certification.  See MMBC Gold Membership 

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Services Provided to Members

• The Mid-South Minority Business Council provides a Minority/Woman-Owned Business Directory to major corporations and governmental agencies nationwide. This electronic directory outlines detailed information on certified minority and woman owned businesses across the country, and is updated daily.

• Certified business owners will have access to bid and proposal requests from local, state, and federal agencies as well as major corporations.

• Management and technical assistance is also provided to certified business owners via the Technical Assistance and Developmental Pool (TADP) .

• Seminars and workshops which provide information and critical thinking for the growth and development of small businesses.

• Buyers/purchasing agents* can immediately expand their database of qualified suppliers by accessing the UCA database (available on-line and in hard copy format).

* Corporate members of MMBC and UCA only

Corporations interested in becoming Corporate Sponsors of the Uniform Certification Agency may contact one of the following:

UCA Director at (901) 525-6512 Ext. 15

MMBC President at (901) 525-6512 Ext. 17

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