US Small Business Administration 8(a) Program


On October 26, 2011, GeoNorth received certification as a participant in the United States Small Business Administration’s (SBA) 8(a) Business Development Program.  The SBA 8(a) Program is awarded to small, disadvantaged businesses in order to compete in the marketplace.  Based upon this certification, GeoNorth is now eligible to bid on federal projects set aside specifically for 8(a) recipients.  

State of Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program


The Alaska Unified Certification Program (AUCP), which is mandated by the US Department of Transportation and administered by the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (ADOT&PF) Civil Rights Office (CRO), is a certification process providing firms with an opportunity to participate as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) on projects funded by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) that are let by numerous agencies throughout the State of Alaska.  GeoNorth has received their certification as of October 27, 2011.

The primary objectives of the Alaska DOT&PF DBE Programs are:

  • ensuring DOT contractors comply with DBE laws and regulations
  • ensuring the DOT that DBE’s compete fairly for federally funded transportation-related projects
  • ensuring that only eligible firms participate as DBE’s

 

National Minority Supplier Development Council


The National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC), headquartered in New York City, is an organization comprised of a network of 37 affiliate regional councils across the country, all of whom provide minority business certification and business development opportunities.  GeoNorth has met the requirements set forth in this national program, and is now a certified supplier for the Council, it’s members and affiliates, and clients who utilize the program to seek out and secure vendors capable of providing services sought.  The Council represents business segments such as technology, construction, marketing, manufacturing, logistics, industrial, electrical, and engineering services, as well as information technology consulting services.   

Northwest Minority Supplier Development Council


The Northwest Minority Supplier Development Council is the regional council within the National program that has approved GeoNorth as a certified participant in their minority supplier development program.  With a main office in Tukwila, Washington, the Northwest Minority Supplier Development Council represents the states of Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Montana, and Idaho.  Since 1972, the goal of the Northwest and National Minority Supplier Development Councils has been to provide the direct link between corporate America and minority-owned businesses.  NMSDC has over 3,500 corporate members and more than 15,000 certified minority-owned businesses in its network.        

BP Supplier Diversity Program


The BP Supplier Diversity Program provides an opportunity for minority-owned businesses to offer their services to the global network within BP, and to their US Procurement and Supply Chain Management (PSCM) team.  Certified organizations information is transferred into BP’s Supplier Diversity database used as a sourcing tool to identify diverse companies that are capable of providing products and services necessary to meet BP’s supply chain needs.  In the summer of 2011, GeoNorth received our certification into the BP Supplier Diversity Program.

State of Washington Department of Transportation Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program   


The Disadvantaged Minority and Women's Business Enterprise (DMWBE) Unit administers the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program and the Washington State’s Minority and Women Business Enterprise (MWBE) program. The purpose of the DBE program is to ensure a level playing field and foster equal opportunity for firms owned and operated by disadvantaged individuals on USDOT-assisted contracts and procurements. The purpose of the MWBE program is to provide maximum practicable opportunity for firms owned and operated by minorities and women in public works projects and procurement.

The primary functions of this unit include:

  • Setting Condition of Award (COA) or Voluntary goals on applicable projects.
  • Assist the construction office in the administration of project advertising and awards as it relates to DMWBE participation.
  • Monitoring DMWBE participation levels on contracts.
  • Conducting Commercially Useful Function (CUF) reviews of DBE subcontractors and contract compliance reviews of prime contractors and DBE subcontractors on WSDOT USDOT-assisted contracts.
  • Providing assistance in resolving DBE compliance disputes and complaints.
  • Providing program guidance to Regional EEO Officers and Project Engineers.
  • Providing DMWBE program training for WSDOT personnel, local agencies, contractors, and other interested parties.
  • Monitoring the administration of consultant contracts as it relates to equal opportunity and the participation levels of DMWBE firms.
  • Assisting in the management of certification and supportive services contracts and in conducting program management reviews.