EDGE Certification >

EDGE FAQs
for
State Agencies

1. What does the acronym "EDGE" stand for?

Encouraging Diversity, Growth and Equity

2. What is the purpose of the EDGE program?

EDGE is a small business assistance program for economically and socially disadvantaged business enterprises.

EDGE establishes goals for state agencies, boards and commissions in awarding contracts to certified EDGE-eligible businesses. EDGE applies to procurements of goods and services, professional services, information technology services, construction, architecture or engineering.

3. What businesses are eligible for EDGE certification?

EDGE participants must be small socially and economically disadvantaged businesses owned and controlled by U.S. citizens and Ohio residents.

4. What are the benefits for EDGE-certified businesses?

The EDGE program offers contract assistance, bond guaranty and mentor-protege programs for certified program participants.

5. What procurement opportunities are covered under the EDGE program?

EDGE goals apply to all categories of procurements -- goods and services, professional services, information technology services, construction, architecture or engineering.

6. What are the responsibilities of state agencies under the program?

Projections

Each agency is responsible for reviewing its annual procurements in order to determine and project which purchases could be made from certified EDGE participants.

Goal setting

EDGE participation goals will be based on contractor availability and will be set initially at approximately 5 percent of all eligible agency procurements. Each agency will be responsible for determining which of its purchases made under its direct purchasing authority are EDGE eligible. Contractor availability will be a major factor in determining eligible procurements.

Reports

Once goals are established each agency's Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) staff is responsible for monitoring and reporting program compliance to the Ohio Department of Administrative Services' Equal Opportunity Division.

Removal of barriers

Every cabinet-level state agency is to take appropriate steps to foster, support and encourage the participation of certified EDGE businesses by examining and removing any unnecessary barriers such as policies or procedures that adversely impact small business participation. Practices that should be reviewed include unnecessary or excessive bonding and licensing requirements, excessive experience requirements, use of proprietary specifications and the unbundling of massive procurements when feasible and practicable.

7. How do I set EDGE goals for my agency's direct spending contracts?

The initial goal for all agencies is 5 percent of the eligible annual direct expenditures in the areas of construction, supplies and services. It is up to the discretion of the agency to determine how to best meet the 5 percent goal. The goal can be met through required subcontracts, preferences under a Request For Proposal (RFP) process, voluntary goals or any combination of these methods.

8. How can I get a list of EDGE vendors?

Visit the EDGE certification Web site at www.das.ohio.gov/EDGE for the latest list.

9. How will future procurement goals be set?

The initial baseline procurement goal will be 5 percent. After a year of program operation the initial agency goal will be reviewed by the Ohio Department of Administrative Services (DAS) with the agency and adjusted accordingly based on EDGE-contractor availability and eligible agency procurements.

10. What is the difference between the EDGE program and the Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) program?

Both programs assist economically disadvantaged businesses. MBE certification is limited to members of four statutorily designated racial groups. MBE procurement involves sheltered market or set-aside contracts let by virtually all state agencies. EDGE certification is open to any Ohio-based small business that has been certified as socially and economically disadvantaged. EDGE procurement does not involve sheltered markets or set-aside contracts.

11. How will EDGE and MBE goals be reconciled?

Both the EDGE and MBE programs will assist economically disadvantaged business enterprises and some businesses will be eligible for certification under both programs. When projecting MBE and EDGE procurements agencies may realize that it is possible for the procurement to be made from a vendor under either program. Should this occur, the larger 15 percent MBE goal should be met first and in doing so the 5 percent EDGE goal will be indirectly met. On the other hand, when possible, EDGE procurements should be made first from vendors that are EDGE-only certified to help ensure that both MBE and EGDE participants are utilized by agencies.

12. How will EDGE spending be tracked in the Central Accounting System (CAS)?

EDGE vendors will be flagged in CAS, similar to MBE vendors.

13. How will the program be monitored?

The state EEO coordinator and agency EEO officers will be primarily responsible for program monitoring and accountability. Agency EEO officers or other designated personnel will be trained and given an enhanced role and responsibility for individual agency compliance. In addition to monitoring agency compliance and submitting reports to DAS, EEO officers will receive complaints, investigate disputes and review agency waivers. DAS will be responsible for overall program oversight and annual reports to the governor.

14. How will disputes be resolved?

When possible, disputes involving agencies and certified vendors will be mediated through the alternative dispute resolution process. Vendors or agencies that experience problems with utilization or compliance may file a complaint with DAS or the contracting agency EEO officer. Once received, the complaint or dispute will be reviewed, investigated and resolved or referred to alternative dispute resolution when appropriate. However, certification disputes must be appealed to the DAS Equal Opportunity Division, the division responsible for certification.