Massachusetts Small Business Association^™

Massachusetts Small Business Association^™ Business Certifications, Inc. (Massachusetts Small Business Association^™) provides business certification to businesses qualifying for its Woman Owned Business Certification, Veteran Owned Business Certification, Minority Owned Business Certification, Family Owned Business Certification, Hispanic Owned Business Certification, Christian Owned Business Certification, LGBT Owned Business Certification, and/or Small Business Owner Certification programs (collectively, "Business Certification"), according these Terms and Conditions ("Agreement" or "Contract").

You acknowledge that you are at least eighteen (18) years of age; have the right, power, legal capacity and appropriate authority to contract on behalf of the company; and are an authorized agent of the company and the owner(s) listed on company documents.  You, your company, heirs, agents, successors, and assigns, ("participant(s)") have read, understand, and  agree to abide by all terms and conditions of this Agreement, as well as any agreements that Massachusetts Small Business Association^™ is currently bound by or will be bound by in the future.

The term of this Contract is one (1) year (365 days) from the date of successful payment processing.

Massachusetts Small Business Association^™ has not, is not, and will not make any guarantees, promises, or warranties that your company will gain financial benefit or obtain participatory access in any diversity or procurement program as a result of your Massachusetts Small Business Association^™ Business Certification participation.  Massachusetts Small Business Association^™ is not owned or affiliated with, and does not sponsor or endorse any particular company applying for Business Certification. Certification of a business by Massachusetts Small Business Association^™ is based exclusively on the company's qualifications for Certification and its conduct, as outlined in this contract. Massachusetts Small Business Association^™ makes no representations regarding the quality, safety, morality, or legality of any aspect of the applicant company's business, products, or services.

Massachusetts Small Business Association^™ expressly disclaims all warranties and guarantees of any kind, whether express or implied, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, non-infringement, or assurities that Business Certification will produce any monetary gain or participatory access in any diversity or procurement program.

Massachusetts Small Business Association^™ does not guarantee or promise approval of your Certification application.  You acknowledge that you submit this application at your own risk and may denied Certification if You fail to meet the certification requirements, complete the application process, or fulfill the responsibilities as outlined by this Agreement.

(A) REQUIREMENTS

Application for Business Certification requires the following:

(A.1)     Registration of applicant business with Massachusetts Secretary of State Corporation Section;

(A.2)     Possession of a Massachusetts Comptroller Number if application business is registered with the Massachusetts Secretary of State Corporation Section; and

(A.3)     If registered with the Massachusetts Secretary of State Corporation Section, a status of "ACTIVE" or "IN TEMPORARY GOOD STANDING" from the Massachusetts Comptroller is required.

(A.4)     Signed application by all owners and company contact listed on the application.

Massachusetts Small Business Association^™ will notify company contact's email address on file of any deficiencies, errors, omissions, or other application inconsistencies allowing the applicant fourteen (14) days to resolve the issue via documented evidence sent by email to info@massachusettssmallbusinessassociation.com or fax (512) 852-4629.  Failure to resolve deficiencies, errors, omissions, or other inconsistencies and failure to provide consistent information throughout the application process will result in the termination of your application with monies paid lost and no right to refund.

(B) ACCURATE INFORMATION

You agree to maintain accurate information by providing notice to Massachusetts Small Business Association^™ of any material change in Your Company's structure within five (5) business days of such change. Notification must be sent via email to info@massachusettssmallbusinessassociation.com. Material changes are defined as:

(B.1)     a change in the cumulative or individual ownership percentage(s) for Business Certification;

(B.2)     a change or amendment of filing status with the Massachusetts Secretary of State Commercial Section ;

(B.3)     obtaining a "NOT IN GOOD STANDING" or "FORFEITED" status from the Massachusetts Comptroller; and

(B.4)     a change in the company mailing address, phone number, or company contact email address as provided in this application.

If, for whatever reason, You fail to notify Massachusetts Small Business Association^™ within five (5) business days of any material change, as defined above, such failure will constitute a material breach of this Contract, and upon Massachusetts Small Business Association^™ learning of the material change, your Business Certification will be terminated effective immediately.

You agree that Massachusetts Small Business Association^™ may use and rely on any information provided by You for all purposes related to Your Business Certification. If You provide any information that is inaccurate, not current, false, misleading, or incomplete; or if Massachusetts Small Business Association^™ has reasonable grounds to suspect that Your information is inaccurate, not current, false, misleading, or incomplete; Massachusetts Small Business Association^™ has the absolute right, to terminate your Business Certification effective immediately.

Massachusetts Small Business Association^™ reserves the right to terminate your Business Certification immediately if your participation results in, or is the subject of, legal action or threatened legal action, against Massachusetts SBA™ or any of its affiliates or partners, and to terminate immediately without consideration for whether the legal action or threatened legal action is ultimately determined to be with or without merit.

(C) QUALIFICATIONS

Woman Owned Business Certification

51% or more of the total ownership interest must be held by four or fewer women (one (1) woman at a minimum).

Gender is determined by the sex indicated on state government issued identification.

Minority Owned Business Certification

51% or more of the total ownership interest must be held by four or fewer minorities (one (1) minority at a minimum).

Minorities are considered members of "Socially Disadvantaged Groups," as defined by the Small Business Act:

Black Americans (African Descent).

Hispanic Americans (persons with origins from Spanish or Portuguese speaking countries).

Native Americans; (American Indians, Eskimos, Aleuts, or Native Hawaiians).

Asian Pacific Americans (persons with origins from Burma, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei, Japan, China (including Hong Kong), Taiwan, Laos, Cambodia (Kampuchea), Vietnam, Korea, The Philippines, U.S. Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (Republic of Palau), Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Samoa, Macao, Fiji, Tonga, Kiribati, Tuvalu, or Nauru).

Subcontinent Asian Americans (persons with origins from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, the Maldives Islands or Nepal).

Membership within one of these "Socially Disadvantaged Groups" is determined by self-declaration.

Veteran Owned Business Certification

51% or more of the total ownership interest must be held by four or fewer current or former veterans (one (1) veteran at a minimum).

Eligible U.S. Armed Forces & Military Reserves are:

U.S. Army & Army Reserve

U.S. Navy & Navy Reserve

U.S. Air Force & Air Force Reserve

U.S. Marines Corps & Marine Corps Reserve

U.S. Coast Guard & Coast Guard Reserve

U.S. Army National Guard of the United States

U.S. Air National Guard of the United States

Disabled and Service-Disabled Veterans

Eligible Massachusetts Military Forces are

Massachusetts Army National Guard

Massachusetts Air National Guard

Massachusetts State Guard

Adjutant General's Department

Domestic Operations Command

Veteran status is determined by presentation of U.S. Armed Forces DD-214 or Massachusetts Military Forces equivalent.

Small Business Owner Certification

Company ("Applicant") cannot exceed the expressed maximum number of employees allowed or maximum annual receipts in millions of dollars allowed for the company and its affiliates identified by North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes as disclosed at the website https://www.massachusettssmallbusinessassociation.com/small-business-size-standards.htm.

Hispanic Owned Business Certification

51% or more of the total ownership interest must be held by four or fewer Hispanics (one (1) Hispanic at a minimum).

Hispanic Americans are considered members of "Socially Disadvantaged Groups," as defined by the Small Business Act:

Hispanic Americans (persons with origins from Spanish or Portuguese speaking countries).

Membership within "Socially Disadvantaged Groups" is determined by self-declaration.

Family Owned Business Certification

51% or more of the total ownership interest must be held by at least 2 family members.

Family Members are determined by (1) marriage certificate or (2) birth certificate.

Christian Owned Business Certification

Public declaration of your Christian faith.

LGBT Owned Business Certification

Public declaration of your LGBT support.

Successful check or cash payment processing is the immediate non-refundable property of Massachusetts Small Business Association^™, even if You are denied Certification by the Massachusetts Small Business Association^™, and the appearance of debit charges on Your bank statement will serve as Your receipt for the transaction and application processing. Payment should be accompanied by the submission of the hardcopy .pdf application; and DD-214, birth certificate, marriage certificate, if applicable.

The issued date of Your Certification will be the date Massachusetts Small Business Association^™ completes the processing of Your application and within 48 hours of successful payment clearance and the Certification expiration date will be 365 calendar days from that date.

(A) CERTIFICATION MATERIALS

Upon Certification enrollment, You will receive the following proofs of Certification:

(A.1)     Unique Massachusetts Small Business Association^™ Business Certification Number;

(A.2)     Massachusetts Small Business Association^™ Business Certification Certificate with issued and expiration dates, legal company name, mailing address, and owner name(s);

(A.3)     Massachusetts Small Business Association^™ Business Certification Letter with issued and expiration dates, legal company name, mailing address, and owner name(s);

(A.4)     Massachusetts Small Business Association^™ Business Certification seals and decals;

(A.5)     Unique Webpage on Massachusetts Small Business Association^™ website www.massachusettssmallbusinessassociation.com displaying your company certification certificate; and

(A.6)     Access to Business Business Owner Login section of Massachusetts Small Business Association^™ website www.massachusettssmallbusinessassociation.com

At anytime Massachusetts Small Business Association^™ may issue an audit of Your Certification to verify the information provided throughout your application is true and correct. Notification of the audit will be sent via email to the company contact on file with Massachusetts Small Business Association^™ and You, the company, and owners have fourteen (14) days to satisfy the audit requirements as detailed in the audit email notification.

You agree your certification is subject to the Massachusetts Small Business Association^™ professional code of conduct policy, which prohibits:

Criminal Conviction;

False or Fraudulent Representations;

Slanderous Statements in Federal Communications Commission Regulated Media or Electronic Media; and

Libelous Statements in Print or Electronic Media.

You agree that violations of the Professional Code of Conduct constitute a breach of this Contract whether directly or indirectly related to the promotion of Your certification.

(A) USE OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

You agree that Massachusetts Small Business Association^™ holds all rights, title, and interest in all Massachusetts Small Business Association^™ publicity and intellectual property, including other rights related to intangible property, unless otherwise indicated. You agree that Massachusetts Small Business Association^™ materials are the intellectual property of Massachusetts Small Business Association^™ and your use, assignment, and / or possession of Massachusetts Small Business Association^™ materials may be terminated immediately for breach of this contract. Upon termination of Your Certification, You are required to cease-and-desist all promotion of Your Certification except in factually accurate reference of your past and current status with Massachusetts Small Business Association^™, or in reference to the Massachusetts Small Business Association^™ website, www.massachusettssmallbusinessassociation.com. You agree Your Certification will be displayed on the Massachusetts Small Business Association^™ website, www.massachusettssmallbusinessassociation.com, and that Massachusetts Small Business Association^™ Business Certifications, Inc., is the issuing agency and sole party responsible for the content maintained on the Massachusetts Small Business Association^™ website as it relates to You and Your company's Certification.

Your Certification status will be publicly disclosed on the Massachusetts Small Business Association^™ website, www.massachusettssmallbusinessassociation.com. You agree and consent that wire, oral, or electronic communication may be recorded by Massachusetts Small Business Association^™ for "quality control" measures. We also reserve the right at any time to place you on our "Banned Companies List" based on your actions.

YOU EXPRESSLY UNDERSTAND AND AGREE THAT OWNER, OUR OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, AFFILIATES, INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS, SERVICE PROVIDERS, OR CONSULTANTS, OR ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AND AGENTS, WILL NOT BE LIABLE UNDER CONTRACT, TORT, STRICT LIABILITY, NEGLIGENCE, OR ANY OTHER LEGAL THEORY FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, COMPENSATORY, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES, EVEN IF Massachusetts Small Business Association^™ HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

In no event shall Massachusetts Small Business Association^™ its partners, affiliates, or advertisers be liable to You or any other person for any damages, including for loss of profit or goodwill, for any matter, whether such liability is asserted on any breach of this Contract or its incorporated agreements and policies for any loss in profits or revenues, a lack of financial benefit, or your inability to gain participatory access in any diversity or procurement program, even if Massachusetts Small Business Association^™ has been advised of the possibility of such damages.

Massachusetts Small Business Association^™ liability is limited to the total amount paid by You for this Massachusetts Small Business Association^™ Business Certification application.

You acknowledge that this Agreement is legally binding under the laws of the United States of America and will be interpreted under and governed by the laws of the State of Massachusetts and any claim or dispute shall be settled with binding arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association (AAA) in accordance with its Commercial Arbitration Rules under the Claims Programs. You agree to waive all rights to a jury trial and All claims will be administered by "desk" arbitration, allowing only for the submission of documents. Judgment on the award rendered by the arbitrator(s) may be entered in any court with jurisdiction.

You agree to pay Massachusetts Small Business Association^™ administrative fees in the amount of $150 per hour, in addition to legal expenses, for any legal action initiated by You or Massachusetts Small Business Association^™. You agree that in the event you prevail in full on your arbitration claim that the arbitrator may but is not required to order a refund of any fees paid to Massachusetts Small Business Association^™ but in no event will Massachusetts Small Business Association^™ be required to pay any portion of the arbitration fees.

Massachusetts Small Business Association^™ may, from time to time, within our sole and absolute discretion, modify, limit, change, discontinue, or replace this Agreement or any portion thereof. It is your responsibility to review this agreement WHERE PUBLISHED ON www.massachusettssmallbusinessassociation.com on a regular basis to keep yourself informed of any modifications. In the event we modify, limit, change, or replace all or any portion of this Agreement, NOTIFICATION is DEEMED made immediately upon publication of THE MODIFICATION, LIMITATION, CHANGE, OR REPLACEMENT ON THE Massachusetts SBA™ website (www.massachusettssmallbusinessassociation.com), and your continued use and/or promotion of your Certification thereafter, constitute(s) your manifestation of assent to the modification, limitation, change, or replacement. This Agreement is effective as of the date your application is submitted to Massachusetts Small Business Association^™ or your payment is processed.

You agree to defend, indemnify and hold harmless Massachusetts Small Business Association^™ ("Massachusetts Small Business Association^™ Business Certifications, Inc.") and its contractors, agents, employees, officers, directors, shareholders, and affiliates from any loss, liability, damages or expense, including reasonable attorneys' fees, resulting from any breach of any representation or warranty provided herein, negligence or willful misconduct, third party claim, action, proceeding or demand related to the use or promotion of your Massachusetts Small Business Association^™ Business Certification by you or your company or affiliates.

In the event that Massachusetts Small Business Association^™ or any of its affiliates or partners, is notified of a pending lawsuit, receives notice of the filing of a lawsuit, or learns that Massachusetts Small Business Association^™ or any of its affiliates or partners is the subject or legal action or threatened legal action, Massachusetts Small Business Association^™ may seek a written confirmation from You concerning Your obligation to indemnify Massachusetts Small Business Association^™. Massachusetts Small Business Association^™ will send the "Indemnification Request" via email to your Company point-of-contact requesting this confirmation. The Indemnification Request email is deemed to have been received by You (through your Company's point-of-contact) within five (5) days of the date it was sent by Massachusetts Small Business Association^™.

Written confirmation of indemnification must be received by Massachusetts SBA™ via email (at info@massachusettssmallbusinessassociation.com) within ten (10) days after the Massachusetts Small Business Association^™ sent the Indemnification Request email to Your company's point-of-contact. The written confirmation must be signed by any person listed on the certification application form. Failure to respond to the indemnification request or failure to provide this written confirmation will result in the termination of Your Company's Certification effective the 11th day after the Indemnification Request email notification.

You agree that Massachusetts Small Business Association^™ shall have the right to participate in the defense of any such claim through counsel of its own choosing. You agree to notify Massachusetts Small Business Association^™ of any such claim promptly, in writing, through U.S. Postal Service Certified Mail at Massachusetts Small Business Association^™ Business Certifications, Inc., 125 Cambridgepark Dr Suite 301, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02140 , and allow Massachusetts Small Business Association^™ to control the proceedings. You agree to cooperate fully with Massachusetts Small Business Association^™ during such proceedings.

You agree that all notices (except for notices concerning breach of this Contract) from Massachusetts Small Business Association^™ to You may be posted on the Web site, www.massachusettssmallbusinessassociation.com. Notices concerning breach of Contract will be sent to either the email address provided in this electronically submitted Application or to the point-of-contact's email address, as maintained on file with Massachusetts Small Business Association^™. In either case, delivery of all notices shall be deemed to have been made five (5) days after the date sent.

Notices from You to Massachusetts Small Business Association^™ must be sent by email to info@massachusettssmallbusinessassociation.com.

The headings in this Contract are descriptive only and in the event of a conflict between a heading and the underlying terms of this Contract, the terms of this Contract shall control.

You agree that this Agreement, including policies and agreements referenced herein, constitutes the complete and entire Agreement (Contract) between You and Massachusetts Small Business Association^™ regarding Your voluntary participation in the Massachusetts Small Business Association^™ Business Certification program(s). You understand and agree that there are no further understandings, agreements, or representations with respect to your relationship with Massachusetts Small Business Association^™ that are not specified in this Agreement. You understand and agree that any additional provisions that may appear in any communication from you will not bind us.

You agree that the terms of this Contract are severable. If any part of this Contract is determined to be unenforceable or invalid, that part of the agreement will be interpreted in accordance with the applicable law as closely as possible, in line with the original intention of both parties to the Contract. The American Arbitration Association will interpret the contract in accordance with its Commercial Arbitration Rules under the Claims Programs. All claims will be administered by "desk" arbitration, allowing for submission of documents only, and judgment on the award rendered by the arbitrator(s) may be entered in any court with jurisdiction. The remaining terms and conditions of the Contract (not deemed unenforceable) will remain in full force and effect.

The failure of Massachusetts Small Business Association^™ to enforce any of the provisions within this Contract or its incorporated agreements and policies against You or others shall not be construed as a waiver of the right of Massachusetts SBA™ thereafter to enforce such provisions. You understand and agree that no term or provision of this Agreement will be deemed to have been waived and no breach will be deemed to have been consented to unless such waiver or consent is in writing and signed by the party to be bound.

Massachusetts Small Business Association^™ ("Massachusetts Small Business Association^™ Business Certifications, Inc., of Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA"), will make every effort to keep the Web site, www.massachusettssmallbusinessassociation.com operational. However, certain difficulties and other factors outside of its control, may from time to time, result in temporary service interruptions. You agree not to hold Massachusetts Small Business Association^™ Business Certifications, Inc., liable for any of the consequences of such interruptions. Access to Massachusetts Small Business Association^™ Business Certifications, Inc., via the websites of "www.massachusettssmallbusinessassociation.org" and "www.massachusettssmallbusinessassociation.org" are provided at the sole discretion of the website owner(s).

OWNER AND YOU BOTH AGREE THAT ANY CAUSE OF ACTION ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT MUST COMMENCE WITHIN ONE (1) YEAR AFTER THE CAUSE OF ACTION ACCRUES. FAILURE TO ASSERT A CAUSE OF ACTION WITHIN ONE (1) YEAR WILL PERMANENTLY BAR ANY AND ALL RELIEF.

YOU WILL ONLY BE PERMITTED TO PURSUE CLAIMS AGAINST OWNER ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS, NOT AS A PLAINTIFF OR CLASS MEMBER IN ANY CLASS OR REPRESENTATIVE ACTION OR PROCEEDING AND YOU WILL ONLY BE PERMITTED TO SEEK RELIEF (INCLUDING MONETARY, INJUNCTIVE, AND DECLARATORY RELIEF) ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS.

Sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19 shall survive any termination or cancellation of this Contract.

Nothing in this Agreement/Contract, express or implied, is intended to confer upon any third party any rights, remedies, obligations, or liabilities under or by reason of this Contract, except as expressly provided in this Contract.

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Last Updated: February 21, 2022.
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Corporate Headquarters:
Massachusetts SBA™ Business Certifications, Inc.
Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02140, USA.