60A-9.0063. Application for Additional Areas of Certification

(1) Any business that is currently certified shall submit Form MBE 7502, Application for Certification of Amended Specialties, when requesting certification as a Minority Business Enterprise in additional specialty areas. Form MBE 7502 is incorporated herein by reference. The Form can be obtained from the Office.

(2) Upon receipt, all MBE 7502 forms shall be given an initial screening to ensure appropriate signature and completeness. Within thirty (30) days following initial receipt of the form, the Office will request the applicant business to furnish omitted or additional information. If all the requested information or items are not received by the Office within thirty (30) days from the date of the request, the Office will close the file on the applicant business certification as a Minority Business Enterprise in the requested additional specialty areas. The applicant may request a reactivation of the file for additional specialty areas within six months of closure date, and shall at that time provide current, update information for the file, as well as any outstanding requested information. If the applicant makes a request to activate the file six months after closure, a new and complete application must be submitted.

(3) The on-site verification review may be conducted by the Office upon receipt and review of the form. Failure to cooperate with the scheduling of the on-site review or during the on-site review shall result in the denial of certification in the requested additional specialty areas.

(4) Certification in the additional specialty areas shall be granted when the applicant business has complied with this rule and substantiates eligibility for Minority Business Enterprise status as set forth in Rules 60A-9.001 and 60A-9.005, F.A.C.

(5) Applicant businesses determined eligible shall receive a certification letter stating the length of time for which the business has been certified, all the specialty areas of the business, the minority status categories in which the business is certified, and the business’ responsibilities.

(6) Applicant businesses determined ineligible shall receive a letter stating the basis for the denial of certification in the additional specialty areas and shall not be eligible to submit a new application for certification in those additional specialty areas for six (6) months after the date of the notice of denial of certification or the Department’s final agency order denying certification.

(7) Submittal of a Form MBE 7502 or certification in additional specialty areas shall not extend the applicant business’ original certification period.

Rulemaking Authority 120.53, 287.0943 FS. Law Implemented 287.0943 FS. History–New 9-11-96, Formerly 38A-20.0063.