Central CERT: Did You Know?

I wanted to give some information regarding the Central CERT program that you may not be aware of this month. As the programs are ever changing, it is important to keep up with what is new. As many of you know, the CERT program management has been outsourced to Strong & Starlike Consulting. If you have questions about your certification, please contact them directly via email here.

Recertification: When you are due to renew your CERT, you no longer are sent a recertification application automatically. Businesses are responsible for completing and submitting their renewal application through B2Gnow. The system typically sends a notification when your renewal period is approaching, and the renewal application is accessible within your B2Gnow account. Please stay up to date on your certification.  KNOW when your CERT expires in the event your notification goes to spam. To find certified firms that are SBE, WBE, MBE, or ESBE you can search the Central CERT Directory here.

Emerging Small Business Sizes Implemented: Central CERT has implemented a two-tier Emerging Small Business Enterprise or ESBE designation. After an extensive data analysis of certified business sizes, the new tiers were implemented:

General Contracting Firms:

Tier 1 ESBE: Up to $5.0 Million
Tier 2 ESBE: Up to $9.5 Million

Specialty Contracting Firms:

Tier 1 ESBE: Up to $4.0 Million
Tier 2 ESBE: Up to $8.0 Million

The designations are automatically applied to your certification based on the financials you submitted in your cert/recert process. For more information on how the ESBE is being utilized within Hennepin County, visit their Contracting with Diverse Vendors page here.

Minneapolis moved to recognizes CERT.

The SUBP program in Minneapolis has moved to the CERT program after the recent DBE program changes. Starting June 1, 2026, only firms certified as Minority-owned Business Enterprise (MBE) and/or Women-owned Business Enterprise (WBE) through the Central Certification Program (CERT) are eligible to meet SUBP goals on newly advertised City projects. This update is intended to increase opportunities for locally owned and operated small businesses to participate in City work.

MnUCP-certified firms (DBEs) will no longer be accepted to meet SUBP goals on new contracts bid after June 1, 2026. If there is an active project that was utilizing MnUCP certified firms, those firms will still count towards the SUBP goals set on that project.

CERT- certified MBE/WBE firms should review and fully understand SUBP contract requirements, as non-compliance may result in financial impacts. Three key requirements are:

• • • A firm can only be approved to meet SUBP goals for the specific scope(s) of work you are CERT certified to perform.
    • Your firm will receive SUBP credit only for the work it performs with its own equipment, labor, and resources. If you subcontract any portion of the work, you must notify the prime contractor, and that subcontracted work will NOT count toward SUBP goals unless it is subcontracted to a CERT-certified MBE/WBE.
    • All City construction and development projects require payment of prevailing wages. Workers must be paid the prevailing wage rate associated with the work they are performing. Please make sure your bids reflect prevailing wage rates using accurate work classifications.

It is important to know your certifications and stay current. It is also important that you update your information. New office address – update it. New service/NAICS code – update it. Make sure you are current and ready for contract opportunities that may arise due to your certifications.

 —B