Get Certified
There’s no better time to explore new opportunities.
Getting certified is the first step in being recognized as a Diverse Supplier. Once certification is achieved, you increase your opportunities to bid on work that might otherwise have been unavailable to you. Certification does not mean that you’ll automatically be awarded contracts, but it may just give you the edge you need through.
Some of the benefits:
- Exposure to top Canadian corporations who are very interested in doing business with Certified Diverse Suppliers.
- Your company profile in the IWSCC database used by our Corporate Members when they are sourcing new suppliers.
- Unique networking and relationship opportunities with the top procurement personnel in our member corporations.
- Webinars, workshops and programs developed to help make your certification work for you.
- Introductions to many other business owners within the unique and very supportive Supplier Diversity world.
- Opportunities to do business with other Certified Suppliers.
- Support in the development of your own Supplier Diversity Program.
- Mentorship and coaching opportunities offered by our member corporations.
- Access to the training, conferences and networking events offered by the IWSCC.
- Invitations to the many networking and procurement events that are offered by our Corporate Members as well as our Partner Organizations.
For Veteran-owned and disabled-owned businesses, certification is well worth your time and attention to the details of the application and verification process.
The Certification Process:
Our audit process is designed to verify 51% or more ownership, management, control and independence by a Veteran(S) or a disabled person(s). It consists of:
- Business verification and owner ID(s) resumes
- Legal documentation proving Veteran status and/or disability
- Corporate organizational structure
- Operational Management
- Financial Statements and CCRA NOA status
- Site Visit
We have a staff member dedicated to assisting with certification to help make the process as simplified as possible.
Once a business owner has made the decision that certification is a good fit, an application is completed – including a one time fee of $200,. The completed application, along with required supporting documentation is then submitted to the IWSCC. The business is reviewed initially by the Certification Committee and then a site visit is scheduled. Once the site visit is complete, the Certification Committee does a final review and takes a vote. The business owner is advised of the results within five business days.
Every measure is taken to ensure business owners understand the process and requirements for certification, to limit rejection.”
The certification process consists of a one-time $200 (plus taxes) administrative fee (100$ if site visit not required) due with the submittal of the application. An annual fee of $500 (plus taxes) will maintain your eligibility as a Certified Supplier and is to be paid on the anniversary of the approval of your certification.
Certified business are reviewed annually to ensure compliance with the requirements for certification.