Wisconsin Administrative Code
Department of Administration
Chapter Adm 83 - Woman-owned business certification program
Section Adm 83.50 - Certification procedure for Wisconsin businesses

(a) Any Wisconsin business that meets the standards for certification may file a WBE certification application with the department.

(b) The applicant shall submit a valid, department-supplied application form; the 3 preceding years of business taxes; current business financials; and attestation to serving a useful business function, to the Department of Administration, Office of Women's Business, P.O. Box 7970, Madison, WI 53707-7970.

Note: The application form that is currently valid, and guidance for completing it, can be obtained by accessing the department's Web site at www.doa.wi.govand searching for the woman-owned business certification program. The form and guidance are also available from the department at P.O. Box 7970, Madison, WI 53707-7970.

(c) Each application shall include a fee of $50, and an additional payment of $100 for 2, one-year renewal fees. The department shall refund the $100 payment if certification is ultimately denied.

(d) Upon receipt of the application, the department shall review the application for completeness and for compliance with the requirements of s. 16.285(1), Stats., and s. Adm 83.20.

(e) The department may request, at any time that it deems necessary, that the applicant submit additional information or documentation for providing clarification or substantiation, or for resolving any ambiguities or inconsistencies in the application form. Failure to cooperate fully may result in denial of WBE certification.

(f) The department may impose a time limit of not less than 30 calendar days in which the applicant shall provide the requested information, except the department shall grant a time extension where good cause is shown by the applicant. Any request for a time extension shall specify the length of time for which the extension is requested and the reasons for the request.

(g) All information submitted shall become the property of the department.

(h) The department may conduct a scheduled or unannounced on-site visit of the applicant's operations. The visit may include, but is not limited to, the following:

(i) After completing a review of the application, the department shall send the applicant either a notice of certification - or a notice of intent to deny certification stating the reasons for denial and offering the applicant the opportunity for an informal hearing under s. Adm 83.70.

(j) The department shall maintain a WBE database that includes the name of the owner, business name, type of business industry, business owner e-mail address, sales volume and growth rates, number of full-time employees, and North American Industrial Classification or National Institute of Governmental Purchasing coding indicating the functional mission of the business.

(a) The department shall deny certification for any of the following reasons:

(b) Applicants shall have 30 calendar days from the date of a department notification of intent to deny certification, to submit a written request for an informal hearing.

(c) If no request for an informal hearing is made, the determination to deny certification shall become final, and the department shall send a final notice of denial to the applicant within 30 calendar days after expiration of the time period in par. (b). The notice shall state the reason for denial and notify the applicant of its appeal rights under ch. 227, Stats., and s. Adm 83.75.

(d) Each applicant denied certification may reapply for certification, no earlier than 12 months from the date of the final notice of denial of certification.