Supplier Clearinghouse FAQs:

This page contains a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) related to the verification applications to obtain certification as Minority and Women/Minority Business Enterprises from the Supplier Clearinghouse.  If you have additional questions, please contact us at 1(800) 359-7998, or visit our website www.thesupplierclearinghouse.com

“Women-owned business” is a business enterprise (a) that is at least 51% owned by a woman or women or (b) if a publicly owned business, at least 51% of the stock of which is owned by one or more women; and (2) whose management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more of those individuals.

“Minority-owned business” means (1) a business enterprise (a) that is at least 51% owned by a minority individual or group(s) or (b) if a publicly owned business, at least 51% of the stock of which is owned by one or more minority groups, and (2) whose management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more of those individuals.  

• Minority includes:

Black Americans:  persons having origin in any black racial groups of Africa

Hispanic Americans:  Persons having origin in Spanish culture, including Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, South or Central American, Caribbean, Spain, Portugal, and other Spanish cultures.

Native Americans:  Persons having origin in any of the original peoples of North America or the Hawaiian Islands, in particular, American Indians, Eskimos, Aleuts, and Native Hawaiians.

Asian Pacific Americans:  Persons having origin in Asia or the Indian subcontinent, including, but not limited to, persons from Japan, China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Korea, Samoa, Guam, the U.S. Trust Territories of the Pacific, Northern Marianas, Laos, Cambodia, Taiwan, India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.

Other groups:  Individuals found to be disadvantaged by the Small Business Administration pursuant to Section 8(d) of Small Business Act, as amended (15 U.S.C. 637 (d), or the Secretary of Commerce pursuant to Section 5 of Executive Order 11625.

“W/MBE” means a women-owned or minority-owned business enterprise, that meets the criteria described above, and is either a U.S. citizen or a legal alien with permanent residence status in the United States.

Verification is the process of validating or determining whether an applicant applying for women-owned business, minority-owned business, or women-owned/minority-owned business is truly a woman and/or minority business enterprise.

Certification is the issuance of a ‘certificate’ showing an applicant’s WMBE status, upon completion of the verification process.

1. What business structures can be certified?
   
   Sole proprietors, partnerships, corporations, LLCs, LLPs, and certain non-profit organizations operating in the United States may be certified.  If the business is a start-up, it must be operating and conducting business at the time it applies with the Clearinghouse.
   
   
2. Is there any restriction on the size of the business, or the owners’ personal wealth?
   
   No.
   
   
3. Does the business need to be located In California to be certified by the Clearinghouse?
   
   No.  The Clearinghouse certifies companies located in the United States.
   
   
4. Does the business need to be doing business in California?
   
   No.  Participating utility companies may operate in and outside of California, and they accept the Clearinghouse certification in those other states.
   
   
5. Who are the participating utilities?
   
   A list of the participating utilities is availability by visiting the "Participating Utility Companies" page on this web site.
   
   
6. How does a company get certified?
   
   Click on ‘Applications’ respond to the preliminary questions, and Click on the appropriate ‘Verification Application’ which fits your company.   Upon completing the Verification Application, sign and have the application notarized, and submit, by certified mail, with all the required documents to the address below.  If you have any questions, please call 1 (800) 359-7998.
   
   The Supplier Clearinghouse
   606 South Olive Street, Ste. 1120
   Los Angeles, CA  90014
   
   
7. What is the advantage of certification?
   
   Certification is not a guarantee to receiving contracts.  Certification is one tool that may lead to meeting majority companies in the private sector and government agencies seeking to do business with WMBEs.  Upon certification, your company is placed in a database which is accessible by participating utilities.  Participating utilities, as do many large businesses and government agencies, have WMBE Initiatives and Programs, which include ‘outreach’ to WMBEs, inclusion of WMBEs in their procurement solicitations, and specific goals for WMBEs.
   
   Your certification allows organizations to know they are dealing with genuine WMBEs..

8. How long is the certification process?
   
   Upon receipt of all required documents, the process takes approximately 45 days to 90 days.  Factors that delay the process include:
   1. Which Verification Process the applicant will use;
   2. Missing documents required in the verification process;
   3. Questionable or inconsistent information on the application that may require supplemental documents;
   4. Whether an on-site visit is necessary, or in the case of applicants outside of California, in lieu of an onsite visit, whether a comprehensive telephone interview with the applicant is necessary

9. Is the information on the application made public?
   
   Only general information such as company name, contact person, address, phone number, and services provided are posted on the CPUC’s website. 

10. Why can’t the application be completed online?
    
    The CPUC requires original signature on applications. 

What is Comparable Agency Verification (CAV)?

Comparable Agency Verification (CAV) is the verification process whereby an applicant for WMBE certification with the Supplier Clearinghouse may be accepted, if the applicant’s company has WMBE certification in good standing with the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) and/or the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC).  Only the NMSDC and WBENC are accepted as comparable agencies.   

The CAV verification process is more simple than the other verification processes, and in many cases, an applicant applying for WMBE certification from the Clearinghouse is required only to complete the CAV application, without having to submit other support documentation.  Acceptance of a CAV is not automatic, and in those instances where there may be doubt regarding the application, the Clearinghouse may request additional documents and/or may conduct a site visit or extensive telephone interview.

Upon approval of the applicant via the CAV process, the Clearinghouse certification expires on the same day as that of the comparable agency certification expiration date.  NOTE:  NMSDC and WBENC certification requirements differ, thus an  applicant certified by the Clearinghouse in certain cases may not be certified by NMSDC or WBENC.  Conversely, in certain cases, an applicant certified by NMSDC or WBENC may not be certified by the Clearinghouse.