What is a CBE?
A Certified Business Enterprise (CBE) is a business headquartered in the District of Columbia and certified by the Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD). Businesses with CBE certification receive preferred procurement and contracting opportunities.
- The principal office of the business must be physically located in the District of Columbia
- Chief Executive Officer and highest-level managerial employees of the business enterprise must perform their managerial functions in their principal office located in the District;
- Meets one of the four following standards:
- More than 50% of the employees of the business are residents of the District; or
- The owners of more than 50% of the business enterprise are residents of the District; or
- More than 50% of the assets of the business, excluding bank accounts, are in the District; or
- More than 50% of the business gross receipts are District gross receipts.
Why should my business apply for CBE certification?
Businesses with CBE certification receive preferred procurement and contracting opportunities. The District directs spending to these DC-based businesses that support and contribute to job creation and the city tax base, resulting in a much stronger local economy. Each agency must exercise its contracting and procurement authority, including an agency that contracts or procures through the Office of Contracting and Procurement (OCP). In addition, it must meet, on an annual basis, the goal of procuring and contracting 50 percent of the dollar volume of its goods and services, including construction goods and services, to Small Business Enterprises (SBEs).
Is a non-profit eligible for certification?
No. Only for-profit entities are eligible for CBE certification with the Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD).
What would be my first step if I moved my business to the District?
If you are moving your business to the District, except for sole proprietorships, you will need to register your business with the DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP). For assistance, you can contact DLCP's Small Business Resource Center (SBRC) at (202) 671-4500 or visit https://dlcp.dc.gov.
My business is incorporated in another state, and my office is in DC.
Am I eligible?
Yes, it does not matter where your business was originally incorporated. However, you will need to register your business (as a foreign entity) with the DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP). For assistance, you can contact DLCP’s Small Business Resource Center (SBRC) at dlcp.dc.gov or (202) 671-4500. Please note in addition to meeting this requirement; your business must be headquartered in the District of Columbia and meet all Local Business Enterprise (LBE) requirements to qualify for the CBE program.
Does DSLBD grant reciprocity from other jurisdictions?
No. DSLBD's CBE program is designed for District-based businesses only. Other certification programs are not designed to comply with the legal requirements of the District's program.
For how long is my certification valid?
Businesses are certified for three (3) years. Ninety (90) days before expiration, the business will receive an electronic notification to recertify. The business will receive reminders sixty (60) days, thirty (30) days, and one (1) day before expiration.
What are the CBE categories?
Certification as a Local Business Enterprise (LBE) is a prerequisite to be certified in any additional subcategory within the CBE Program. Once a business meets all LBE requirements, the business can request, within a Certified Business Enterprise (CBE) application or subsequent application, the Small Business Enterprise (SBE), Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), Resident-Owned Business Enterprise (ROB), Development Enterprise Zone (DZE), Longtime Resident Business Enterprise (LRB), Veteran-owned Business Enterprise (VOB), Local Manufacturing Business Enterprise (LME) or Equity Impact Enterprise (EIE) subcategory(ies) for consideration.
What are the preference points associated with each category of certification?
| CBE Category | Proposal Points | Bid % Price Reduction |
|---|---|---|
| Local Business Enterprise | 2 | 2% |
| Small Business Enterprise | 3 | 3% |
| Disadvantaged Business Enterprise* | 2 | 2% |
| Development Enterprise Zone | 2 | 2% |
| Resident-Owned Business | 5 | 5% |
| Longtime Resident Business | 5 | 10% |
| Veteran-Owned Business Enterprise | 2 | 2% |
| Local Manufacturing Business Enterprise | 2 | 2% |
| Equity Impact Enterprise | 5 | 10% |
*Note: The personal net worth of the applicant seeking DBE certification must be less than $1,000,000, excluding the value of their primary residence and the values of their ownership interest in the CBE.
What is a Small Business Enterprise (SBE), and how can my business qualify?
An SBE is a subcategory within the CBE program. A business must be certified as a local business enterprise to be considered for this subcategory. The Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) determines eligibility based on the applicant's averaged annualized gross receipts for the 5 years preceding certification. DSLBD uses the SBA’s size standards and DSLBD’s limits to determine eligibility. In addition to the SBA standards, the chart below signifies the industry limits used by DSLBD to determine eligibility. Please visit D.C. Code § 2–218.32 for more information about the SBE category.
|
SBE Industry
|
Limit |
|
Construction, Heavy (Streets and Highways, Bridges, etc.) |
$23M |
|
Construction, Building (General Construction, etc.) |
$21M |
|
Construction, Specialty Trades |
$13M |
|
Goods & Equipment |
$20M |
|
General Services |
$19M |
|
Professional Services, Personal Services |
$5M |
|
(Hotel, Beauty, Laundry, etc.) |
|
|
Professional Services, Business Services |
$10M |
|
Professional Services, Health & Legal Services |
$10M |
|
Professional Services, Health Facilities Management |
$19M |
|
Manufacturing Services |
$10M |
|
Transportation & Hauling Services |
$13M |
|
Financial Institutions |
$300M |
How long will the CBE certification process take?
The CBE certification process can take up to 45 business days once you submit the application. DSLBD does not expedite applications.
Is there a sample checklist of required documents for the CBE application process?
Yes. Click to view a sample checklist. This is a sample only. Customized checklists are generated upon completion of the online application.
Does CBE certification automatically confer DDOT DBE certification?
No, DSLBD certification has no bearing on federally-funded highway projects. Visit the DC Department of Transportation (DDOT) Disadvantaged Business Enterprise page to learn more about DDOTs' DBE program: http://ddot.dc.gov/dbe.
What happens if my application is not approved?
If your application is not approved, you will receive a notice of decision from the Director of DSLBD detailing the reasons for denial and rights to appeal. If you are not approved, you will not be able to submit a new application for six (6) months from the date you received the notice.
Is there a logo that I can use to market my business as a Certified Business Enterprise (CBE)? And how can I use it?
Yes, there is an official DSLBD CBE program logo. As of 2017, the Department is providing a CBE Branding Guide, which provides guidance and details on how to use the CBE logo to assist your business in gaining opportunities. The logo is only for active CBEs. Email [email protected] to receive the logo file.
How do I notify the Department of a change in my certification?
The business is required to submit an application within the DSLBD Enterprise System (DES) to report a change to a CBE certificate. (See steps below.)
1. Log in to the DES system by visiting https://des.dslbd.dc.gov
2. Enter your username and password.
3. Select the 'Update Information' option.
4. Select the desired change:
- (a) Change in Category
- (b) Change in Address
- (c) General Information
- (d) NIGP Code
- (e) Change in Ownership
5. After selecting the checkbox for the desired area of change, the 'Documents' section will appear to provide evidence in support of the change. Upload the required evidence.
6. Select 'Save and Continue.'
7. Complete the Attestation page and submit the application.
If the business is reporting a name change or would like to add a trade name to the public profile, a notification on business letterhead should be sent to the Department to the attention of the Certification Manager at [email protected].
Pursuant to the CBE law, during the term of an active certificate, a CBE shall report to the Department any change of address, change of ownership, or other change that may affect the continued eligibility of the CBE within thirty (30) days of the date of the change. Upon learning of any changes, the Department may request documentation regarding continued eligibility and conduct onsite inspections. Failure to report a change may result in the revocation of a CBE certificate.
What does independently owned, operated, and controlled mean?
A business entity organized for profit that manages and controls its day-to-day operations without being subject to control, restriction, modification, or limitation by another business entity organized for profit or not-for-profit business that has an ownership or other financial interest in the business seeking CBE certification or an existing CBE.
Can I speak to/meet with a Specialist before submitting my application?
Yes. Please visit the following link: https://dlcpsbrc.ecenterdirect.com//events?reset=1 to schedule an appointment with a member of DSLBD's Certification division (search for "CBE Certification" under the Topic dropdown in the main Search bar at the top of the page) on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month.
https://dslbd.dc.gov/getcertified
CBE One-on-One Counseling
DSLBD offers one-on-one counseling on the 3rd Wednesday of each month at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library. Registration is required. Please visit https://dslbd.dc.gov/smallbizassist to schedule an appointment to learn more about the CBE application process or receive other assistance with the CBE program.
How can I view and/ or print my CBE certificate?
If you would like to view and print your certificate, please follow these steps.
- Log into our District Enterprise System (DES) https://des.dslbd.dc.gov/s/login/.
- Select 'View Certificate.' You can also view your public profile here.
To print a CBE certificate when logged into the DES:
- Select the View Certificate button on the Welcome page;
- Select the More Information link located in the gold section at the top of the page;
- Select your browser as explained on the page;
- Follow the specified instructions on the page for your browser and
- Close the gold section at the top of the page by selecting the "X" in the right corner of the gold section.