Q: WHAT IS CERTIFICATION?
A: Certification is the process through which BNA examines the ownership, control, management, and independence of the businesses seeking designation as a small, minority or woman-owned business enterprise (SMWBE) in BNA’s local certification program; as a disadvantaged business enterprise (DBE) in the state of Tennessee’s federal program or as an airport concession disadvantaged business enterprise (ACDBE) in Tennessee’s federal program.
The certification process requires a thorough investigation of the company’s owner including, but not limited to, financial statements, by-laws, charter, stock certificates, lease agreements, salaries of owners, number of employees, licenses/authorities etc.
- All businesses seeking certification must be already established and have a business license.
- Businesses must be ready, willing and able to provide the product or service as described.
- The firm must meet all ownership criteria.
- The firm must be willing to participate in annual reviews and updates, as required.
- An on-site visit with firm’s owner, will be performed as part of all firms seeking certification.
Firms seeking certification in MNAA’s SMWBE program will be designated as in one of the following categories:
- SBE – Small Business Enterprise (Caucasian Male)
- MBE – Minority Business Enterprise (Minorities can be Male and Female)
- WBE – Women Business Enterprise (Caucasian Female)
Firms seeking designation as DBE or ACDBE must meet the federal definitions of socially and economically disadvantaged. Women and certain minorities are presumed to be socially disadvantaged, but applicants must prove economic disadvantage.
Business Size Determination– A firm (including its affiliates) must be a small business as defined by SBA standards. It must not have annual gross receipts over $23.98 million in the previous three fiscal years. ($56.42 million for airport concessionaires in general with some exceptions, $75.23 million for car rentals)
Personal Net Worth– Only persons having a personal net worth of less than $1.32 million can be considered as a potential DBE/ACDBE or SMWBE. Items excluded from a person’s net worth calculation include an individual’s ownership interest in the applicant firm, and his or her equity in their primary residence.
Q: IS THERE A COST TO BECOME CERTIFIED?
A: No. There is no cost.
Q: HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO BECOME CERTIFIED?
A: MNAA must make a final certification decision on applications for certification within 90 days of receiving the applicant’s, complete certification application.
Q: WILL THE CERTIFICATION APPLICATION BE PROCESSED IF INCOMPLETE?
A: No. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed until a complete application is submitted. It is important to submit all required information and answer questions accurately and completely.
Q: IS THERE A GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION REQUIREMENT FOR SMWBE CERTIFICATION?
A: Yes. Firms seeking SMWBE certification must be located within the state of Tennessee.
Q: IS THERE A GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION REQUIREMENT FOR DBE/ACDBE CERTIFICATION?
A: If your firm is located outside the state of Tennessee you must be certified in your home state first, before seeking certification within the state of Tennessee. Once your firm is certified in your home state you become eligible to apply for Interstate Certification with MNAA or Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT).
Q: HOW LONG DOES CERTIFICATION LAST?
A: The certification is valid until the firm is deemed decertified by BNA, TNCUP, or USDOT. All firms certified by MNAA are required to submit documentation relative to continued eligibility in the SMWBE, DBE, or ACDBE annually on the anniversary date of certification. Reminder notifications are sent by MNAA, usually 45-days in advance of the annual certification anniversary date.
Q: DOES BNA ACCEPT RECIPROCITY BY OTHER ENTITIES?
A: Yes. BNA only accepts reciprocity from member agencies of the Tennessee Uniform Certification Program.
Q: WHERE CAN I VERIFY OR VIEW A COPY OF THE SMWBE DIRECTORY OF CERTIFIED BUSINESSES?
A: A current listing of certified SMWBEs is available on BNA’s website, flynashville.com
Q: WHERE CAN I VERIFY OR VIEW A COPY OF THE DBE/ACDBE DIRECTORY OF CERTIFIED BUSINESSES?
A: Visit Tennessee Department of Transportation website at https://www.tdot.tn.gov/applications/dbedirect/ Click on TNUCP Listing.
Q: DO I HAVE TO BE CERTIFIED TO DO BUSINESS WITH BNA?
A: No. A business is not required to be certified to do business with BNA; however, any work performed as a prime contractor or subcontractor will not be credited as meeting the established contract goal.
Q. WHAT IF MY APPLICATION/CERTIFICATION IS DENIED OR REVOKED?
A: The firm has one of three options:
- Request an informal appeal hearing within 30-days of receipt of denial letter.
- Waive informal hearing and make a written appeal submission within fifteen days of receipt of denial letter.
- Do not request a hearing or make further submissions and allow the determination decision to stand. The decision is good for one year and the firm is not eligible to apply for certification for one full year.
Q: WHO SHOULD I CONTACT FOR ASSISTANCE WITH CERTIFICATION QUESTIONS?
A: Certification questions can be emailed to BDD.Certification@flynashville.com or call our Certification Specialist at 615-275-1620 for certification questions and assistance.
Q: WHO SHOULD I CONTACT FOR ASSISTANCE WITH ADDING OR MODIFYING NAICS QUESTIONS?
A: Questions can be emailed to BDD.Certification@flynashville.com or call our Certification Specialist at 615-275-1620 for certification questions and assistance
