Subscription Services

SMSDC Subscription Services Application

As of January 1, 2014, MBE’s no longer need to obtain reciprocal certification to do business with a national member in another state or NMSDC region. Previously, for reciprocal services to be initiated between SMSDC and the affiliate approached for reciprocal service, a reciprocal service form was completed using the Affiliate Portal (AP). Now, SMSDC will provide subscription services to certified MBEs in good standing with their home certifying affiliate. The AP is being configured to allow subscriptions to be provided to those certified MBEs who wish to receive services over and above those provided with a basic certification. The certified MBE will not have to provide proof of certification from their home certifying regional council.

What is a subscription?

A subscription is an agreement to receive or be given access to affiliate products or services, such as:

• Access to top corporate purchasing agents
• Premium business connection outings and networking events
• Vital introductions to national corporate members
• Specialized procurement conferences & Trade Fairs
• Supplier Diversity summits and roundtable discussions
• Professional development fellowships
• Mentor-Protégé pairings and other educational or development programs
• Technical and/or financial assistance and support

Each affiliate council will have a set of subscription services to offer certified MBEs that choose to do business in another service area.  The services will be accessed using the affiliate council website or existing AP, as either a bundle of services or on a pay-as-you go basis.  Some services will be specific to a dominant industry or will be unique to the region or market in the service area.  Other services will be based on the ability to provide specialized services, such as office rental or technology support.

The 24 NMSDC Affiliate Regional Councils will provide the following Standard Services for certified minority business enterprises (MBEs) without additional charge:

• Certification process
• Post-certification briefing
• Inclusion in and access to the NMSDC supplier Database
• Discounted fees for registration at NMSDC national events
• Eligibility for participation in NMSDC development programs
• Advocacy

Fees

The fee for subscription services within the NMSDC Network may vary slightly from affiliate to affiliate. However, all fees are tiered based on your businesses’ gross annual sales.

Eligibility for subscription services

In order to qualify for subscription services, your company must meet the following requirements:

• Must be an actively certified MBE within the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) network.
• Must be in good financial standing with SMSDC at the time of the subscription service request.
• Must be more than 60 days away from the SMSDC certification expiration date when applying for subscription services.

Length of subscription services

A subscription service runs concurrently with your home affiliate council certification. The subscription expiration date will be the same as your home council certification expiration date. For example, if your company X is certified in Southwest Texas with SMSDC from January 30, 2014 until January 30, 2015, then the subscription expiration date in Houston with HMSDC should also expire on the same date as the SMSDC certificate — January 30, 2015.

Timing rules for subscriptions

All MBEs are welcome to subscribe to the service at any time. However, any certified MBE requesting subscription services within 60 days of their certification expiring at their home certifying regional council will be asked to withhold their request until re-certification with their home certifying council is completed.