Certifications
Employers Choice Screening holds certifications as a Small Business Enterprise (SBE), Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), and Minority-Owned Business (MBE). We earned certifications through the Small Business Administration (SBA), National Minority Supplier Diversity Council (NMSDC), Southern California Minority Supplier Diversity Council (SCMSDC), multiple Department of Transportation (DOT) Authorities, and other local small business programs in multiple states.
Please reach out to [email protected] for additional information or teaming opportunities regarding our certifications.
U.S. Small Business Administration
SBA 8(a) Business Development Program
Employers Choice Screening has participated actively in the SBA 8(a) Business Development Program since 2015. The SBA created this nine-year program to help firms owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals compete effectively in the American economy. The program provides set-aside and sole-source contract opportunities with the federal government. The 8(a) program delivers managerial, technical, and contractual assistance to Small Disadvantaged Businesses. This assistance prepares firms and their owners for success in private industry.
The program's eligibility relies partly on Small Disadvantaged Business criteria but includes additional business-related requirements. The federal government aims to award at least 5% of all federal contracting dollars to small businesses each year.
SBA Small Disadvantaged Business
Employers Choice Screening contracts with the federal government as a Small Disadvantaged Business on SAM.gov. ECS meets the qualifying criteria set by the SBA, making our business an SDB:
- The firm must have 51% or more ownership and control by one or more disadvantaged persons
- The disadvantaged person must face social and economic disadvantages
- The firm must qualify as small according to SBA size standards
Each year, the federal government awards about 10% of all federal contract dollars to Small Disadvantaged Businesses like Employers Choice Screening. This represents roughly $50 billion in contracts.
National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC)
The National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) has certified Employers Choice Screening as a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE). ECS also serves as an active MBE Supplier through our local Southern California Minority Supplier Development Council (SCMSDC) affiliate council.
The NMSDC operates with support from 23 regional affiliates nationwide. These affiliates help certified MBEs reach 1,500+ corporate members to meet their supplier diversity corporate spending goals.
For the last 50 years, the NMSDC has connected MBEs to over 1,500 corporate members. This has resulted in nearly $400 billion in annual economic output. It has generated $130 billion in tax revenue and sustained 1.75 million jobs. NMSDC gives MBEs like ECS access to contract and procurement opportunities. It also provides access to capital and helps promote minority business growth in the American economy.
California Department of General Services (DGS) SB/DVBE Certification
The Office of Small Business and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise Services (OSDS) has certified Employers Choice Screening as a Small Business.
Our small business certification gives us access to contract opportunities exclusively available to certified small businesses. This helps meet the state's goal to spend 25% of all contract dollars with small businesses like ours.
Professional Background Screening Association (PBSA)
The Professional Background Screening Association (PBSA) provides an accreditation program for Consumer Reporting Agencies (CRAs) located in the United States. This accreditation program through PBSA is called the Background Screening Agency Accreditation Program (BSAAP), which has strict rules and regulations that promote professional standards of specified requirements and measurements.
ECS has been an active member of the PBSA since 2004, becoming an accredited firm in 2017. Our company remains engaged and attends all mid-year and annual conferences, keeping ourselves informed and educated on the latest news, updates, and current local, state, and federal laws and regulations relating to our industry. Program accreditation and continuous adherence to compliance include successfully completing yearly audits and reviews related to our internal policies and procedures to ensure the quality and performance of the services we provide our clients.
The accreditation program is governed by a strict and thorough set of professional standards of specified requirements and measurements focused on information security, legal and compliance standards, a focus on client education, monitored researcher and data standards, verification service standards, and strict business practices as it relates to Background Screening.