SCS Certification FAQ

• For-profit and independently operated business
• Federal Tax Identification Number (TIN)
• Washington State Unified Business Identification (UBI) number
  • All applicants for SCS certification must be registered with Washington State and have a valid UBI number to be eligible for SCS certification. Applicants who need a state UBI number can register online with the Department of Revenue.
• The business size not to exceed the SBA's current size standards
  • The gross receipts averaged over the most recent three-year tax period must not exceed the small business size standard set by U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for your company’s primary line of business. Size standards are set by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and can be found at Table of Size Standards. Using the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes, the SBA has determined the gross receipts or number of employees a business can have and still be considered small. The certification reviewer will use the NAICS code most relevant to the company’s primary line of business to evaluate its business size.
  • An overall business size standard cannot exceed $30.4 million in gross receipts over a three-year average.
• Primary Owner(s) personal net worth not to exceed $2.047 million
  • The majority and controlling owner(s) must complete a Personal Financial Statement. An eligible owner's personal net worth cannot exceed $2.047M. This calculation will exclude the owner's primary residence and the value of their ownership in the applicant business. This calculation will include any other assets, properties, or businesses held by the owner.

Fast-Track Application Process

Small businesses that are state certified by the Washington State Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises (OMWBE) with one of the certifications listed below automatically qualify for SCS certification and are not required to complete an SCS application. The following OMWBE certifications qualify for Fast-Track SCS Certification:

• Minority Business Enterprise (MBE)
• Woman Business Enterprise (WBE)
• Minority Women Business Enterprise (MWBE)
• Combination Business Enterprise (CBE)
• Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (SEDBE)

To opt-out of SCS Certification:

• Send an email to SCSCertification@kingcounty.gov requesting to opt-out of SCS certification.
• By choosing not to participate in the SCS fast-track certification program, your firm will not be eligible for the associated benefits available to SCS certified firms.

Standard Application Process

To apply for Small Contractor and Supplier (SCS) certification, please complete the DCMS online application at kingcounty.diversitycompliance.com. In this online platform, you will be able to download the required financial forms. After you complete the required documents, you will need to upload the completed documents to the online certification portal.

There are two options for providing the required financial documents for certification as a Small Contractor and Supplier (SCS).

Traditional Method

• Download and complete a Personal Net Worth Statement (Excel spreadsheet) for the majority owner(s). Once completed, upload the spreadsheet to the SCS application portal.
  • If business owners are married to each other, a separate Personal Net Worth Statement is required for each spouse.
  • If a question on the Personal Net Worth statement does not apply to you, enter N/A. Do not leave the answer space blank.
• Federal Tax Returns - Upload the company's federal tax returns for the previous three years, including all schedules.
  • If you have been in business for less than three years, submit the Federal Business Tax Returns for each year filed.
  • If your business is new, submit a document stating that your business is new and has not yet filed a federal tax return.

CPA Method

• Download the CPA Affidavits for company size verification and the majority owner(s)' personal net worth verification. Provide these affidavits to a licensed CPA who will review your company tax statements and all documents required to determine each owners' personal net worth. The affidavits will need to be signed by the licensed CPA and notarized. Once each affidavit is completely filled out, upload the documents to the application portal.
  • Businesses seeking this option must use a third party licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
  • King County does not endorse or offer assistance in seeking a licensed CPA to complete this review. Any costs associated with the business size or personal net worth review by an independent licensed CPA is the sole responsibility of the business owners seeking certification.
  • It is the responsibility of a licensed CPA to request any and all documents needed to perform a complete and thorough personal net worth evaluation for each owner of the business seeking SCS certification.
  • In the case of multiple owners, each owner is not required to use the same CPA for verification of personal net worth.
  • Only notarized affidavits will be accepted by King County.

Keep a copy of the completed application and all documentation submitted to BDCC for your records.

If you require an alternative submission method for your SCS application, please send an email to SCSCertification@kingcounty.gov.

Note: King County will not process incomplete application packets. If you do not answer all the application questions and attach all the required documentation, you will be notified via email of missing documentation. In addition, the certification review process will stop until the BDCC office receives the information and all supporting documentation requested.

If Washington State requires a professional license for the type of work your company performs, the eligible owner must possess the applicable professional license to be certified by King County.

For example, in order for a firm to be certified to do electrical work, the eligible owner must be a licensed electrician. However, if a firm is seeking certification to provide IT consulting services, the eligible owner does not need to possess any professional licenses because Washington State does not require an IT consultant to be professionally licensed.

This rule also applies if a professional license is required to operate any equipment necessary for the firm's activities. For example, the eligible owner of a dump trucking firm must possess a Commercial Driver's License.

No. Startup businesses are welcome to apply, as well as businesses that have been in operation for many years.

In order to apply for certification, your business must be ready to operate. This means that your business must be licensed fully and properly to conduct business in Washington State. You must also have all equipment, insurance, and other resources necessary for your business to provide the goods and/or perform the services should it be awarded a contract today. Startup businesses are welcome to apply, as well as businesses that have been in operation for many years.

Yes, as long as your company meets the eligibility requirements for certification.

Applications and supporting documentation are considered public records and subject to public disclosure. Certain personal and financial information is protected from public disclosure by state and federal laws.

• If you are a startup business, you are not required to submit tax statements. Indicate "new business" next to this item on the application.
• If you have been in business for less than three years, you are only required to submit tax statements for the years that your company has been in business.
• If you have filed an extension for taxes with the IRS, submit a copy of the filed extension in lieu of the filed tax return. Note: You will be required to submit a copy of the filed tax return once it is filed.
• If you have not filed taxes or filed an extension for taxes, submit a signed statement that explains your situation.

The following processing times apply once a complete application packet has been received.

• CPA Affidavit Method: ten business days
• Traditional Method: 15 to 30 business days

Rush requests are accepted to meet procurement deadlines, however there is no guarantee that an applicant business will be certified prior to an RFP/ITB submittal deadline. To request a rush review, provide a cover sheet to inform the reviewer you are requesting a rush review and include the following solicitation details: agency name, contract number, and submittal due date.

All application packets are prescreened for completeness. King County will not process any application packet that does not include a fully completed application and all required documentation. The applicant will be notified via email of the missing documentation. The applicant must obtain the missing documentation and resubmit the application.

Once an application is determined to be complete, a review is conducted to determine if it satisfies all of the program eligibility criteria. In some instances the review process may include an on-site interview, job site visit, and interviews with owner(s) or third parties to verify the information submitted. The applicant may be asked to provide additional information/documentation at any time while the application is being processed.

Certification does not guarantee that you will receive a contract. You are responsible for marketing your business and finding and bidding on contracts.

• Advertise that your business is an SCS certified firm in your marketing materials.
• Attend SCS orientation events and other outreach events to ensure that you have current contracting information for each participating agency.
• Let agency buyers and project managers know that your firm is certified as an SCS.