Once you've been awarded a project, you must submit a submcontractor approval form (SAF) for each subcontractor you intend to use on the project.  This must be done before they commence work so they may be insured on the SCA jobsite.

Benefits

• Helps GCs and subcontractors coordinate – the system automatically prompts subcontractors to provide information (e.g., licenses, apprenticeships and insurance)  after a GC inputs  project-specific information and the subcontractor identifier.
• Allows GCs to confirm subcontractor qualification and certification status, and qualified trade codes, minimizing the chance of time-consuming misunderstandings.
• Provides GC and subcontractors with on-demand access to SAF status information.
• Provides GC and subs with on-demand access to OCIP insurance certificates, in addition to the initial email already in place.
• Carries over information from prior submissions and pre-populates subsequent SAFs to reduce keystrokes.

• All GCs and subcontractors (except for those in “Wicks” trades identified in the bid document) must complete an online Subcontractor Approval (SAF) Form.
• SAFs are project-specific – GCs/subcontractors must submit a separate SAF for each project.
• Prior to beginning work on an SCA project and completing an SAF, all subcontractors must submit a prequalification application if they have not already done so.
• All Wicks subcontractors whose estimated value of work is greater than $1 million, as determined by the SCA and identified in the project-specific bid documents, must be prequalified with the SCA to perform work greater than $1 million at time of the bid opening. 
• Subcontractors must have a project-specific SAF in pending or approved status before beginning work.

Process

• GCs and upper-tier subs should go to the Vendor Access System and click on the “Subcontractor Approval Form (SAF)” link in the Project Information (Post Award) section of the homepage to begin the process.
• Once it has been initiated by their GC or upper-tier sub, subcontractors will receive an email containing a link to their SAF.
• Click to download the SAF User Guide in PDF format.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I still use the paper SAF form?
The SCA strongly encourages contractors to use the online SAF feature of VAS as an accurate, time-efficient way to process requests.  If you are unable to submit electronically, contact the SCA Manager at 718-472-8880 for further information.

• What about Mentor projects?
The online SAF process does not yet include Mentor projects and will continue to be handled by the Mentor Construction Managers.

• What do I do if I don’t have a VAS login ID or password?
If you are listed as a primary or secondary contact on your firm’s prequal application, you can easily obtain your login info by using the “Forgotten Your Login ID/Password?” link on the VAS login page. If not, your primary contact can add you as an SAF contact – see the SAF User Guide for more information.

• Whom should I call if I need help?
If you still need help after checking the user guide, contact the SAF Manager at 718-472-8880.