1. The certification program can give your company a competitive edge when bidding on County procurement/contracts. As a Certified County Based Enterprise you receive bid credits for County funded contracts. Why? Because Wayne County is committed to encouraging and rewarding businesses that contribute to the county's economy.
   
   
2. As a Certified Small Business Enterprise (SBE) you are eligible to participate in the SBE program, operated by the Wayne County Purchasing Division. This program endeavors to foster small-business development by designating commodities and/or projects to SBE bidders only. This process provides Certified SBEs an equal opportunity to compete for contracts with much larger vendors.
   
   
3. The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) is a federal program established by the United States Department of Transportation. Government agencies (like Wayne County) receiving at least $250,000 in direct federal transportation funding are required to establish a DBE program, which targets historically disadvantaged groups/women. Agencies are required to set a DBE benchmark (federal goal is 10 percent), thus an effort to utilize DBE Certified Vendors. Prime contractors are also required to partner with DBEs. An example of such agencies is the Wayne County Airport Authority and Michigan Department of Transportation.
   
   
4. Once your company is certified with Wayne County, you are added within your commodity/product to the Wayne County Purchasing Division's Direct Solicitation List. In addition, being certified entitles the vendor to an array of ancillary services.

Note: Being proactive and becoming certified in any of the three certifications (with Wayne County) can place you a step ahead of the competition in the procurement process. Being certified helps your company get prepared when opportunities arise.

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Once the application is completed and supporting material attached, return the application to the Human Relations Division, 600 Randolph (5th floor) Detroit, Mich. 48226. Allow 4-6 weeks to learn the application status.

A vital part of the overall certification process is making sure your company is FEP compliant. Fair Employment Practice compliance is mandated by the Wayne County Charter and enforced by the Human Relations Division. All Wayne County contractors and subcontractors must be FEP compliant prior to the award of any contract over $50,000 (Download forms & applications) - $100,000 for construction. It is the responsibility of the prime contractor to ensure subcontractors are FEP compliant.

FEP applications are available via the Human Relations Division or online at Human Relations Forms/Applications download page and download and print the application. In an effort to better serve vendors may be certified up to three years. Once a company receives its FEP certificate, a copy must be submitted with every bid.

Note: It is the goal of the Human Relations Division to provide swift and courteous service to vendors and to assist in ensuring efficiency in the procurement process.

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