Minority Limo Group Launches New Certification Program

The Minority Limousine Operators of America (MLOA) Nov. 24 launched a new support and education program that helps owners navigate the requirements for 8a certification through the Small Business Administration (SBA).

SBA certification is designed to help small, disadvantaged businesses compete in the federal marketplace helping socially and economically disadvantaged entrepreneurs gain access to the economic mainstream of American society. Generally, to be approved into the 8(a) program and become certified, your small business must be owned and controlled at least 51% by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals who are American citizens.

Open to MLOA members only, the program assists minority owners with preparing the required company documents, financial information, and applications required to be certified and eligible for government request-for-proposal (RFP) contract participation.

The webinar program, which will run in four-week intervals every other month, begins Jan. 12. The next program begins in March, and then continues throughout the calendar year. MLO Executive Director, Dr. Yvonne LaMar, a specialist in grant, proposal, and certification processes, directs the program and intends to increase the percentage of minority-owned operators gain new business through lucrative government contracts, and also with companies that set aside contract work specifically for minority businesses.

The four-week program addresses the following topics:

• Week 1: Review of required documents.
• Week 2: Preparation your company’s narrative for certification.
• Week 3: How to prepare all required charts and tables.
• Week 4: Preparing your application and following instructions for final submission.

An added benefit of participating in the certification program includes notification by email of ongoing federal contract opportunities.

Editor’s Note: A comprehensive article on the new certification program will appear in the January 2015 issue of LCT Magazine.