Minnesota runs its own small business certification, the Targeted Group, Economically Disadvantaged and Veteran-Owned (TG/ED/VO) program, alongside a four-agency DBE program, giving small firms several routes into public contracts. As a government contracting consultant for Minnesota businesses, GERC helps small businesses in Minneapolis, Saint Paul, Rochester, Duluth and Bloomington get registered, get certified and win bids. We are based in California and serve Minnesota clients remotely, as part of our nationwide practice.
Federal work: government contracting consultant services for Minnesota businesses
- SAM.gov registration, UEI and annual renewal
- SBA 8(a), WOSB, HUBZone and SDVOSB certification
- GSA Schedule offers, federal proposals and capability statements
- Targeting Minnesota’s federal buyers, including U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, Minneapolis-St. Paul Air Reserve Station (934th Airlift Wing), Minneapolis VA Health Care System and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Midwest Region headquarters (Bloomington)
Minnesota state contracting
- SWIFT Supplier Portal: where businesses register as state suppliers; solicitations are run by the Office of State Procurement in the Department of Administration
- TG/ED/VO small business certification through the Office of Equity in Procurement, for targeted group, economically disadvantaged-area and veteran-owned small businesses
- DBE certification through the Minnesota Unified Certification Program (MnDOT, Metropolitan Council, Metropolitan Airports Commission and City of Minneapolis) under the new U.S. DOT rules requiring an individual showing of disadvantage (see DBE certification)
Minneapolis, Saint Paul and Rochester local contracting
- Central Certification Program (CERT) – MBE/WBE/SBE, managed by the City of Saint Paul and recognized by Ramsey and Hennepin counties, Metropolitan Council Underutilized Business Program (MCUB) and City of Minneapolis Small and Underutilized Business Program (SUBP): vendor registration and bid opportunities
- Subcontracting with the prime contractors that serve U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District and other federal sites
- Airports, transit agencies and school districts, each with its own vendor list (see vendor registration)
How our government contracting consultants help Minnesota businesses
- Free readiness call: what you sell, who buys it in Minnesota and what you are missing
- Registrations: SAM.gov, the SWIFT Supplier Portal and city and county portals
- Certifications: SBA programs, state certification and DBE
- Bid targeting and subcontracting research, using our market research for government contractors
- Proposals written to score, through our bid writing services
Example: how a Saint Paul environmental engineering firm would get started
This is an illustration of our process, not a client story.
A Saint Paul environmental engineering firm wants work with the Corps of Engineers St. Paul District and the Minneapolis VA Health Care System. First, we register it in SAM.gov, confirm its NAICS codes and check SBA certifications. Next, we research how those buyers purchase from small businesses and which contracts are coming up. After that, we register it in the SWIFT Supplier Portal and prepare TG/ED/VO certification if it qualifies.
Frequently asked questions
Can a California-based government contracting consultant help my Minnesota business?
Yes. Because registrations, certifications and proposals are all filed online, we can work with clients nationwide by video call.
Who certifies DBEs in Minnesota?
DBE certification is handled through the Minnesota Unified Certification Program (MnUCP), made up of MnDOT, the Metropolitan Council, the Metropolitan Airports Commission and the City of Minneapolis. This is separate from the state’s TG/ED/VO certification run by the Office of Equity in Procurement.
Do Minnesota federal buyers set aside work for small businesses?
Yes. Federal agencies and military bases in Minnesota buy through small business set-asides, and their prime contractors have small business subcontracting goals. SAM.gov registration and the right SBA certifications put you in position for both.
Win government contracts in Minnesota
Book a free 15-minute readiness call and we will map the registrations, certifications and bids that fit your business.
Related: SAM.gov Registration · 8(a) Certification · DBE Certification · GSA Schedule Consulting · Bid Writing Services · All service areas