The mission of the Business Certification and Compliance Unit is to ensure equal opportunity access to and fair treatment in government contracting. The unit strives to achieve its mission by maximizing contracting opportunities through certification of minority-owned, women-owned and socially and economically disadvantaged businesses, certifying veteran-owned businesses, and enforcing the affirmative action laws and regulations required of contractors doing business with the State of Ohio.

Certification Programs

The unit has the responsibility for implementing the Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) program and the Encouraging Diversity, Growth and Equity (EDGE) program. Those responsibilities include:

• Certifying minority-owned, women-owned, and socially and economically disadvantaged businesses, making them eligible to participate in the state's socially and economically disadvantaged business initiative programs;
• Maintaining a searchable database of certified businesses;
• Monitoring businesses’ compliance with certification requirements; and
• Implementing program rules and conducting training.

The unit also has responsibility for certifying businesses into the Veteran-Friendly Business Enterprise (VBE) program.

Compliance Programs

The unit has the responsibility for implementing the Construction Compliance program. Those responsibilities include

• certifying contractors’ compliance with affirmative action programs and equal employment opportunity laws and regulations;
• reviewing and approving affirmative action plans;
• monitoring state and state-assisted contracts and construction project sites;
• implementing program rules and conduct training; and
• providing assistance to state agencies, colleges, universities and municipalities with the implementation of construction compliance programs.

Team Members Todd McGonigle, Program Manager

Kathy Dabney, EEO Contract Specialist
Paul Holliman, EEO Contract Specialist
Priscilla Smith, EEO Contract Specialist
Alonzo Webb, EEO Contract Specialist
Tim Collins, EEO Contract Officer
Brenda Hodge, EEO Contract Officer
Darryl Kershaw, EEO Contract Officer

Charles King, EEO Contract Officer
Michael Lester, EEO Contract Officer
Donald Stinson, Jr., EEO Contract Officer

THE MODERNIZED GATEWAY IS HERE!

We at EOD are excited to partner with the Ohio Business Gateway Modernization Project in an effort to make doing business with the State of Ohio easier and more efficient. Whether completing a Unified Application for the Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) or Encouraging Diversity, Growth and Equity (EDGE) program, applying for a new Certificate of Compliance or Affirmative Action Program Verification, or even completing your monthly Workhour Utilization Reports (I-29s), it is our hope that this improved process will be easy and drastically improve the way your business interacts with state government. 

The modernized Ohio Business Gateway is finally here! The State of Ohio is one step closer to making doing business in Ohio easier and more efficient. For more information and a look at the Gateway Modernization, check out the videos below and visit gateway.ohio.gov.