EZCertify.com in the Press

EZCERTIFY.COM DELIVERS SOFTWARE TO AUTOMATE THE APPLICATION PROCESS FOR SMALL, DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS CERTIFICATION

Woman-owned and other Small Businesses are Eligible for the First Time; Self-certification for Minority-owned Firms Eliminated

Washington, DC – August 17, 1999, EZCertify.com today announces EZCertify SDB Certification software, the first business development software designed to accelerate and simplify the application process for small businesses applying for small disadvantaged business (SDB) certification through the Small Business Administration (SBA). The software cuts the application time from months to hours for the Federal SDB program.

Successful applicants gain important competitive advantages through the SBA’s SDB program that levels the playing field for lucrative federal contracts. The benefits include price advantages to bids submitted by certified woman- and minority-owned and other disadvantaged businesses, meaning that these companies can win contracts without necessarily offering the lowest bids. SBA rules also provide a system of preferences and monetary incentives for large companies that use certified SDBs as subcontractors. Now, SDB-certified companies have an advantage in competing for the entire $200 billion in contracts awarded annually by the Federal Government.

"SDB certification is one of the most important investments any small business can make," said Richard J. Otero, President of EZCertify.com. "This is especially true for the 10 million business owners previously barred from applying for SDB certification, including women, the handicapped and others. The only thing preventing more businesses from pursuing certification is the daunting application process. With EZCertify SDB now reducing the cost, hassle and time involved, the decision to apply becomes a no-brainer for hungry entrepreneurs." Otero added that others are now eligible to join the more than 3 million minorities already presumed to be eligible by the SBA for these programs.

Fiona Best and Dorothy McClintock of Besteq Information Services, LLC had heard that as non-minorities they might have a difficult time proving their social disadvantage. "EZCertify significantly increased our confidence that we were submitting a successful, complete and thorough certification package." The information technology and communications company partners state, "EZCertify provided expert guidance and information that we were unable to find anywhere else. EZCertify simplified the data collection process."

In the past, self-certification was as simple as checking off a box in a government Request for Proposal. However, recent changes enacted by the SBA have eliminated this option, forcing small businesses to go through a complex and lengthy approval process that could take more than a year.

EZCertify SDB Certification software streamlines this process dramatically while saving customers thousands of dollars on outside consultants that many companies hire to guide them through the complex application process. This process can require more than 200 hours of dedicated time. Not only is that equivalent to five weeks of full-time work, but the majority of submitted applications are returned to applicants without being processed due to avoidable errors.

"I had decided against applying for certification because there was no guidance available without spending thousands of dollars with a consultant or attorney. My attorney said it would cost $10,000 to have him complete my application for me," said Lorne Prince, president of DynaTek Systems, Inc., a software application development firm. "Thanks to EZCertify I completed my application in less than a day."

EZCertify SDB guarantees a complete, error-free application -- often completed in less than one day. And even though EZCertify.com cannot guarantee government certification, the company offers both a free on-line EZCertify Pre-Qualifying Interview and an On-Line Advisor service to purchasers of its products. The Pre-Qualifying Interview quickly assesses a company’s likelihood of certification so that companies can skip the application process altogether if certification appears unlikely. The On-Line Advisor service is the equivalent of having a $500 per hour attorney at your side, to answer your specific questions, every step of the way.

Jorge Vargas, president of Win-Net Computer Technologies, had heard horror stories about the months it would take to complete a package for certification. "The software helped me identify problems with the enclosures to my SDB application that I would never have found by myself. It took me less than four hours to complete the EZ Interview."

To help companies manage the application process and complete it as efficiently as possible, EZCertify.com has taken a "TurboTax*" like approach to the cumbersome, time-consuming task. EZCertify.com’s software walks applicants through the process step-by-step, saving countless hours and thousands of dollars that many companies needlessly pour into their applications.

Price and Availability

EZCertify SDB Certification software, the EZCertify Pre-Qualifying Interview and the On-Line Advisor Service are available immediately. The Pre-Qualifying Interview is free of charge on-line at www.ezcertify.com. EZCertify 8(a)/SDB Certification software is available for $300.00. The On-Line Advisor service is available for free, by e-mail, for purchasers of EZCertify 8(a)/SDB.

About the SBA SDB Program

The SBA has expanded its SDB certification program to make it easier for business owners who aren’t members of designated groups to become SDBs by demonstrating their disadvantage. Once an SDB is certified, it will be eligible for price evaluation adjustments or proposal evaluation credits in fully competitive federal procurements.

About EZCertify.com

EZCertify.com is dedicated to assisting small businesses owned by women, minorities, the handicapped and other qualified individuals successfully apply for, and receive certification in federal and state small business contracting programs. The EZCertify.com staff has more than 100 years of combined experience working with small and disadvantaged businesses.

*TurboTax™ is a registered trademark of Intuit , Inc.
EZCertify.com is not affiliated with Intuit, Inc.

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