Connecticut SBE/MBE Certification: Status and What to Do

What it is

The Department of Administrative Services (DAS) certifies Connecticut-based Small Business Enterprises (SBE) and Minority Business Enterprises (MBE). Certified firms go in the Small Business Certification Directory, which agencies use to find vendors. Certification counts toward statewide spending goals and toward project goals on state-funded public works, which the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (CHRO) enforces.

What changed

• Public Act 25-168 (HB 7287), effective October 1, 2025, turned the set-aside program into a "spending allocation program" (per the Office of Legislative Research). Fixed 25% small business and 6.25% minority business set-asides gave way to industry goals and contract-specific public works goals.
• It also made late payment to a subcontractor a discriminatory practice and calls for a disparity study every five years.
• CHRO's September 30, 2025 notice says Good Faith Efforts Plans replace Set-Aside Plans, with goals of 25% SBE and 6.25% MBE until July 1, 2026. Since then, agencies set public works goals from the share of available Connecticut firms in the industry and area (per CHRO's goal calculator).
• DAS replaced agency goals with statewide Spending Allocation Goals in 96 industry categories.

Who qualifies

• SBE: principal place of business in Connecticut. A field office in Connecticut does not count.
• For-profits must be registered in SAM.gov as small for "All Awards" (SBA size standards). Nonprofits: $20 million or less in revenue last fiscal year.
• The firm must be independent and, unless a sole proprietor or general partnership, registered with the Connecticut Secretary of the State.
• MBE: meet every SBE rule, plus at least 51% owned and run by people with minority status under state law, which includes racial or ethnic minorities, women and persons with a disability.
• Out-of-state firms cannot be certified. DAS lists no reciprocity.

What it means for your bids

• Agencies are not required to buy from certified firms. DAS says the goals "do not override price, responsibility, qualifications."
• Agencies must document good faith efforts, such as asking directory firms for quotes, so a listing puts you in front of buyers.
• On public works contracts with $150,000 or more in state funding, primes file a Good Faith Efforts Plan aimed at certified subcontractors.
• Separate microbusiness preference: firms with gross revenue under $3 million may get a 10% price preference, or 15% for veteran-owned microbusinesses certified by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

How to get certified

1. Register in SAM.gov for All Awards as a small business (free), and keep your Secretary of the State filings current.
2. Apply in CT Gateway: https://ct-gateway.formverse5.com/AUTOCENESERVER/WebApp/Login.aspx (instructions: https://portal.ct.gov/das/procurement-programs-and-services/small-business/smbe-apply)
3. Answer DAS emails within two weeks or the application may be closed. A site visit may be required.
4. Print your certificate from the CT Gateway dashboard.

State certification is free. It lasts up to two years, and your SAM registration must be renewed every year. Renewal reminders go out 120, 90, 60 and 30 days before expiration. DAS reviews applications in the order received and does not state a processing time.

Watch out for

• Federal DBE certification is separate and does not transfer to DAS.
• Contractor Prequalification for public works over $1 million is separate from certification.
• DAS warns of fake emails posing as staff and asking vendors for payment.
• DAS pages do not say whether the 2025 law changed the two-year term.
• Questions: DAS.BusinessAccess@ct.gov. Bids are posted on CTsource.

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Sources

• portal.ct.gov/das/procurement-programs-and-services/small-and-minority-businesses
• portal.ct.gov/das/procurement-programs-and-services/small-and-minority-businesses/e
• portal.ct.gov/das/procurement-programs-and-services/small-business/smbe-apply
• portal.ct.gov/das/procurement-programs-and-services/small-business/faqs
• portal.ct.gov/das/procurement-programs-and-services/business-access/das-spending-al
• portal.ct.gov/das/procurement-programs-and-services/business-access/das-spending-al
• portal.ct.gov/das/procurement-programs-and-services/business-access/das-spending-al
• portal.ct.gov/-/media/chro/cc-documents/2025-09-30-chro-contract-compliance-notice-
• compliance.chro.ct.onconcourse.com/goal-calculator
• www.cga.ct.gov/2025/rpt/pdf/2025-R-0076.pdf
• prdext3.cga.ct.gov/2025/act/pa/pdf/2025PA-00168-R00HB-07287-PA.pdf
• law.justia.com/codes/connecticut/title-4a/chapter-58/section-4a-60g-formerly-sec-32-
• ct-gateway.formverse5.com/AUTOCENESERVER/WebApp/Login.aspx
• ctmirror.org/2025/05/02/ct-minority-contractors-set-aside/

FindMyBids isn't affiliated with any certifying agency, and this isn't legal advice. Status can change quickly with court orders and new laws, so confirm with the program office before you rely on it.