Chapter Adm 84

Adm 84.13(8) (8) Firms which share indistinguishable facilities, such as office space, production, distribution or storage facilities, machinery and equipment or employees with a nonminority firm.

Adm 84.13 History History: Cr. Register, September, 1987, No. 381, eff. 10-1-87.

Adm 84.14 Adm 84.14 Certification procedure for Wisconsin businesses.

Adm 84.14(1) (1) Certification procedure.

Adm 84.14(1)(a) (a) Any business that meets the standards for certification may file an official application with the department.

Adm 84.14 Note Note: Application forms are available from and should be submitted to: WI Supplier Diversity Program, Department of Administration, P.O. Box 7970, Madison, WI 53707-7970.

Adm 84.14(1)(b) (b) Upon receipt of the application, the department shall review the application for completeness and for compliance with the requirements of s. 16.287, Stats., and s. Adm 84.03.

Adm 84.14(1)(c) (c) The department may request applicants to provide additional information or documentation to provide clarification and substantiation of or to resolve any ambiguities or inconsistencies in their application form.

Adm 84.14(1)(d) (d) The department may impose a time limit of not less than 30 days in which the applicant must provide the requested information. A reasonable extension may be given by the department for good cause shown by the applicant. Requests for time extensions should be made to the program and should specify the length of time for which the extension is being requested and the reasons for the request.

Adm 84.14(1)(e) (e) The department may conduct an on-site visit of the applicant’s operations. The on-site visit may be scheduled or unannounced. The visit may include, but is not limited to, the following:

Adm 84.14(1)(e)1. 1. A discussion of business operations with the owners;

Adm 84.14(1)(e)2. 2. An examination of the applicant’s physical plant, inventory, machinery and equipment, financial records, customer accounts, and legal records.

Adm 84.14(1)(e)3. 3. A review of the business organizational structure, management responsibilities and labor force characteristics.

Adm 84.14(1)(f) (f) After reviewing and evaluating the entire application, the department shall issue 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 84.18.

Adm 84.14(1)(g) (g) Applicants shall have 30 days from the date of the department’s notification of intent to deny certification to submit a written request for an informal hearing. If no request for an informal hearing is made, the determination to deny certification shall become final and a final notice of denial shall be sent to the applicant within 30 days. The notice shall state the reason for denial and notify the applicant of its appeal rights under ch. 227, Stats., and s. Adm 84.19.

Adm 84.14(1)(h) (h) Each applicant denied certification may reapply for certification no earlier than 12 months from the date of the final notice of denial of certification.

Adm 84.14(2) (2) Denial of certification. The department shall deny certification for any of the following reasons:

Adm 84.14(2)(a) (a) The department determines that the applicant fails to meet the eligibility standards for certification.

Adm 84.14(2)(b) (b) The applicant fails to furnish the department with requested information within the allotted time period.

Adm 84.14(2)(c) (c) The applicant knowingly provides false or misleading information to the department.

Adm 84.14(2)(d) (d) The applicant shares indistinguishable facilities, such as office space, production, distribution or storage facilities, machinery and equipment, or employees with a nonminority firm which is in a substantially similar line of business.

Adm 84.14(3) (3) Length of certification. Once certified, an applicant shall remain certified until the designated expiration date, unless certification is revoked as provided for under s. Adm 84.17.

Adm 84.14 History History: Cr. Register, September, 1987, No. 381, eff. 10-1-87; correction in (1) (b), (d), (f), (g), (3) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 6., 7., Stats., Register December 2011 No. 672.

Adm 84.15 Adm 84.15 Procedure for certification renewal.

Adm 84.15(1) (1) To maintain its minority business enterprise status, a business must renew its certification prior to the designated expiration date. Failure to do so shall result in decertification.

Adm 84.15 Note Note: The purpose of the certification renewal process is to review a business’ circumstances, organization, ownership, control and management to ensure that it continues to satisfy the eligibility requirements for certification as a minority business enterprise.

Adm 84.15(2) (2) The department shall send the business a certification renewal application form at least 60 days prior to the expiration date of its certification.

Adm 84.15(3) (3) The completed renewal application form must be returned to the department within 30 days of receipt. A reasonable extension may be given by the department for good cause shown by the business. Requests for time extensions should be made to the program and should specify the length of time for which the extension is being requested and the reason for the request.

Adm 84.15(4) (4) The certification procedures described in s. Adm 84.14 shall be followed for processing renewal applications.

Adm 84.15 History History: Cr. Register, September, 1987, No. 381, eff. 10-1-87; correction in (3), (4) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 6., 7., Stats., Register December 2011 No. 672.

Adm 84.16 Adm 84.16 Decertification criteria.

Adm 84.16(1) (1) The department may decertify a business which it finds no longer qualifies as a minority business enterprise under s. Adm 84.03. Sufficient reasons for decertification include the following:

Adm 84.16(1)(a) (a) The status of the minority business has changed to the extent that it no longer satisfies the requirement of ownership, control and active management of the business or the requirement of performance of a useful business function.

Adm 84.16(1)(b) (b) The minority business fails to submit an application for certification renewal within the allotted time period.

Adm 84.16(1)(c) (c) The minority business fails to comply with a reasonable request from the department for records or information within the allotted time period.

Adm 84.16(1)(d) (d) The minority business knowingly provides false or misleading information in support of its renewal application or in response to the department’s request for records or information.

Adm 84.16(2) (2) A decertified business may reapply for certification no earlier than 12 months from the date of the final notice of decertification. A new application and appropriate documentation shall be submitted to the department as if the business were requesting initial certification. The previous decertification shall be noted in the application.

Adm 84.16 History History: Cr. Register, September, 1987, No. 381, eff. 10-1-87; correction in (1) (intro.) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register December 2011 No. 672.

Adm 84.17 Adm 84.17 Decertification procedure.

Adm 84.17(1) (1) Initiation of decertification process.

Adm 84.17(1)(a) (a) The department may, at the request of any state agency or at its own discretion, examine any certified minority business enterprise to verify that it qualifies for certification.

Adm 84.17(1)(b) (b) Any individual or firm who believes that a business certified as a minority business enterprise does not qualify under the standards of eligibility for certification may request a decertification investigation by the department. Such requests must be written and signed and must contain specific identification of the affected business, and the basis for the belief that it does not meet the eligibility standards. After reviewing the request, the department shall decide either to conduct a review of the minority business enterprise or to allow the certification to stand. The department’s decision may not be appealed by a third party.

Adm 84.17 Note Note: Written requests for decertification investigations should be sent to: WI Supplier Diversity Program, Department of Administration, P.O. Box 7970, Madison, WI 53707-7970.

Adm 84.17(2) (2) Investigation procedure.

Adm 84.17(2)(a) (a) The department may notify the business, in writing, that it is the subject of a decertification investigation, explaining the basis for its belief that the business does not meet the eligibility standards for certification.

Adm 84.17(2)(b) (b) The department may request records or other documentation from the business, may conduct an on-site visit of the business facilities and may question other parties in its investigation.

Adm 84.17(2)(c) (c) The department may impose a time limit of not less than 15 days in which the business must respond to a request for records or other documentation. A reasonable extension may be given by the department for good cause shown by the business. Requests for time extensions should be made to the program and should specify the length of time for which the extension is being requested and the reason for the request. If the business fails to provide the information in the time requested, the department shall issue a notice of intent to decertify.

Adm 84.17(2)(d) (d) Upon completion of the investigation, a written report shall be prepared which shall include:

Adm 84.17(2)(d)1. 1. A statement of the facts leading to the investigation,

Adm 84.17(2)(d)2. 2. Steps taken in the investigation,

Adm 84.17(2)(d)3. 3. Findings of the investigation, and

Adm 84.17(2)(d)4. 4. A conclusion which contains a recommendation for disposition of the matter.

Adm 84.17(3) (3) Notice of intent to decertify.

Adm 84.17(3)(a) (a) If the department determines that the business does not qualify as a minority business, it shall issue a notice of intent to decertify stating the reasons for decertification and offering the business the opportunity for an informal hearing under s. Adm 84.18.

Adm 84.17(3)(b) (b) The business shall have 30 days from the date of the department’s notification to submit a written request for an informal hearing.

Adm 84.17(3)(c) (c) If no request for an informal hearing is made, the administrator shall issue a final notice of decertification, stating the factual and legal grounds therefore and notifying the business of its appeal rights under ch. 227, Stats., and s. Adm 84.19.

Adm 84.17(3)(d) (d) The department shall send a copy of the notice of intent to decertify and a copy of the final notice of decertification to the affected business and to the departments of administration and transportation.

Adm 84.17 History History: Cr. Register, September, 1987, No. 381, eff. 10-1-87; correction in (3) (d) made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats., Register, November, 1994, No. 467; correction in (2) (c), (3) (a), (c) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register December 2011 No. 672.

Adm 84.18 Adm 84.18 Informal hearing procedure.

Adm 84.18(1) (1) Any business which has received a notice of intent to deny certification, to deny renewal of certification or to decertify, may submit a written request for an informal hearing. The request shall be received by the department within 30 days of the mailing date of the notification. The request shall set forth the grounds on which the business believes the decision is in error including any additional information which the business has to offer. The written request for an informal hearing shall be submitted to: Administrator, Division of Enterprise Operations, Department of Administration, P.O. Box 7867, Madison, WI 53707. A copy of the request shall be filed simultaneously with the program.

Adm 84.18(2) (2) The department shall schedule an informal hearing within 30 days of receipt of the request. Written notice of the scheduled hearing date shall be sent to all interested parties at least 10 days prior to the hearing date and shall specify the date, time and location of the hearing. Interested parties shall include all persons who signed the application for certification or certification renewal.

Adm 84.18(3) (3) The hearing shall be conducted on an informal basis.

Adm 84.18(4) (4) Within 30 days of receiving the request for a hearing, the administrator shall notify the business in writing of his or her final decision.

Adm 84.18(5) (5) If the final decision is to grant certification, the department shall immediately certify the business. If the final decision is to deny certification or certification renewal, or to decertify, the business shall be notified of the final decision and the reasons therefore. It shall also be notified of its appeal rights under ch. 227, Stats., and s. Adm 84.19.

Adm 84.18(6) (6) Once the department has made a final decision on certification, recertification or decertification, that determination goes into effect immediately. If a business that has been denied certification or recertification or has been decertified appeals the department’s decision, the department’s decision remains in effect until the decision is reversed as a result of the appeals process.

Adm 84.18 History History: Cr. Register, September, 1987, No. 381, eff. 10-1-87; correction in (1), (5) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 6., 7., Stats., Register December 2011 No. 672.

Adm 84.19 Adm 84.19 Appeal procedure.

Adm 84.19(1) (1) Any business which has been denied certification or certification renewal or which has been decertified may submit a written request for a formal hearing under ch. 227, Stats. The request shall be received by the department within 30 days of the mailing date of the administrator’s notification. The request shall set forth the grounds on which the business believes the decision is in error including any additional information which the business has to offer. The written request for a formal hearing shall be submitted to: Office of the Secretary, Department of Administration, P.O. Box 7864, Madison, WI 53707. A copy of the request shall be filed simultaneously with the program.

Adm 84.19(2) (2) The department shall schedule the formal hearing. Written notice of the scheduled hearing shall be sent to all interested parties at least 10 days prior to the hearing date, and shall specify the date, time and location of the hearing. Interested parties shall include all persons who signed the application for certification or certification renewal.

Adm 84.19(3) (3) The hearing shall be conducted pursuant to ch. 227, Stats. Both the business and the department shall have the right to present evidence, subpoena witnesses and records, and cross-examine witnesses. The firm and the department may be represented by counsel.

Adm 84.19(4) (4) At the conclusion of the hearing, the department shall issue a decision based on findings of fact and conclusions of law.

Adm 84.19(5) (5) The secretary may delegate the authority to make the final decision to the hearing examiner of another state agency. When this authority is delegated, the hearing examiner’s decision shall be the final administrative decision of the department.

Adm 84.19(6) (6) The department shall notify the affected business and the departments of administration and transportation of the final decision regarding renewal of certification or decertification.

Adm 84.19 History History: Cr. Register, September, 1987, No. 381, eff. 10-1-87; correction in (1) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 6., Stats., Register December 2011 No. 672.

Adm 84.20 Adm 84.20 Notification of changes in application information.

Adm 84.20(1) (1) A business must notify the program in writing of any change in the information contained in an application for certification or certification renewal within 30 days of the change or before bidding on a state contract, whichever is earlier.

Adm 84.20(2) (2) The department shall, within 15 days, send the business a written notification of its determination that either:

Adm 84.20(2)(a) (a) The change is not material and the certification of the business continues; or

Adm 84.20(2)(b) (b) The change is material and warrants a review of the status of the business.

Adm 84.20(3) (3) If the change warrants a review of the business’ status, the department shall conduct the review following the decertification procedures described in s. Adm 84.17.

Adm 84.20(4) (4) Failure by a business to notify the department of a change which would reduce minority ownership, control or management or change the business function performed may result in decertification and may result in the department forwarding pertinent information to the appropriate law enforcement authority for investigation and possible prosecution.

Adm 84.20 History History: Cr. Register, September, 1987, No. 381, eff. 10-1-87; correction in (1), (3) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 6., 7., Stats., Register December 2011 No. 672.

Adm 84.21 Adm 84.21 Certification of a minority business by another public agency or a private business.

Adm 84.21(1) (1) In this section, “private business” means a for-profit business or a non-profit organization.

Adm 84.21(2) (2) The department may waive some or all of the certification application requirements and procedures under s. Adm 84.14 for an applicant who is already certified by a state, federal or local agency or a private business if the department determines that the agency’s or business’s certification procedure is substantially equivalent to its own.

Adm 84.21(3) (3) In determining whether an agency’s or a private business’s certification procedure is substantially equivalent to its own, the department shall consider factors which include, but are not limited to, the following:

Adm 84.21(3)(a) (a) The documentation the applicant is required to provide;

Adm 84.21(3)(b) (b) Whether an on-site visit is performed; and

Adm 84.21(3)(c) (c) The length of time for which certification is effective.