Comparable Agency Verification (CAV) is the verification process whereby an applicant for WBE, MBE, LGBTBE, PDBE, and DVBE certification with the Supplier Clearinghouse may be accepted, if the applicant’s company has WBE, MBE, LGBTBE, and PDBE certification in good standing with the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC), the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) and/or Disability:IN. Only the NMSDC, WBENC, NGLCC and Disability:IN are accepted as comparable agencies.
The CAV process is more simplified or streamlined than the other verification processes, and in many cases, an applicant applying for WBE, MBE, LGBTBE, and PDBE certification from the Clearinghouse is required only to complete the CAV application and include a copy of their CAV certificate. Acceptance of a CAV is not automatic, and in those instances where there may be doubt regarding the application, the Clearinghouse may request additional documents and/or may conduct a site visit or extensive telephone interview.
Upon approval of the applicant via the CAV process, the Clearinghouse certification expires on the same day as that of the comparable agency certification expiration date. NOTE: NMSDC, WBENC, NGLCC and Disability:IN certification requirements differ, thus an applicant certified by the Clearinghouse in certain cases may not be certified by NMSDC, WBENC, NGLCC or Disability:IN. Conversely, in certain cases, an applicant certified by NMSDC, WBENC, NGLCC or Disability:IN may not be certified by the Clearinghouse.
