Verification and certification allows government agencies and businesses to know they're dealing with a genuine woman- and/or minority-business enterprise (WMBE) or disabled-veteran-business enterprise (DVBE).

If an opportunity is found for your company with the Sempra Energy companies, you'll need to complete the verification/certification process as outlined below.

Certification as a woman-
and/or minority-business enterprise (WMBE)
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has set up a process by which you may become certified as a woman- and/or minority-business enterprise (WMBE). This process is administered by the Supplier Clearinghouse.

You may obtain information about the certification process and the necessary forms at the Supplier Clearinghouse or the CPUC Web site. Supplier Clearinghouse certificates must be renewed from time to time. The clearinghouse will accept certification by certain other certifying agencies as proof of WMBE status, and will grant certification automatically. To see if your certification by another agency is acceptable, see the Comparable Agency Verification list on the Supplier Clearinghouse Web site.

Certification as a disabled-veteran-business enterprise (DVBE)
To learn how to become certified as a DVBE, visit the DVBE section of the California State Web site. It explains the process and provides the proper forms.

Federal certification
The federal government Small Business Administration has also set up a process to become certified as a small, disadvantaged business (SDB), which includes women-owned-, veteran-owned, HUB Zone and service-disabled, veteran-owned small businesses. To learn more, you can visit the SBA Web site.