District of Columbia Certified Business Enterprise Program: Status and What to Do

What it is

The Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) certifies Certified Business Enterprises (CBEs). Local Business Enterprise (LBE) is the base category. Others stack on top, including Small Business Enterprise (SBE), Resident-Owned Business, Longtime Resident Business, Veteran-Owned Business and Equity Impact Enterprise. CBE status earns bid price reductions and proposal points on District contracts. Each agency has an annual goal of buying 50% of its goods and services from SBEs, and District contracts over $250,000 carry a 35% CBE subcontracting set-aside.

Who qualifies

• Principal office physically located in DC, with the CEO and top managers working from it.
• One ownership test: independently owned and operated, or more than 50% owned and controlled by a DC-based enterprise or nonprofit, or owned by a non-DC business that is more than 50% owned by DC residents.
• One local-presence test: more than 50% of employees, owners, assets (not counting bank accounts) or gross receipts in DC.
• SBE: average annual gross receipts over the five years before certification under the industry cap. Examples: building construction $21 million, general services $19 million, business professional services $10 million.
• Out-of-state firms: where you incorporated does not matter, but you must register as a foreign entity with DLCP, be headquartered in DC and meet all LBE rules. A firm based outside DC does not qualify.
• Reciprocity: none. DSLBD does not accept other jurisdictions' certifications.

What it means for your bids

• Each category adds a bid price reduction and proposal points. Examples: LBE 2% and 2 points; SBE 3% and 3 points; Resident-Owned 5% and 5 points; Longtime Resident and Equity Impact Enterprise 10% and 5 points.
• Contracts over $250,000 require 35% of the work to be subcontracted to CBE-certified small businesses, unless DSLBD grants a waiver.
• Beneficiaries of government-assisted projects, including developers, face subcontracting plans and quarterly reporting monitored by DSLBD.

How to get certified

1. Run the CBE Eligibility Wizard to check eligibility and get your document list: https://forms.dc.gov/f/nzkjepcvt9my
2. Register and apply in the District Enterprise System using Chrome: https://des.dslbd.dc.gov/Registration
3. Add the DBE supplemental form only if you apply in the District's local DBE category.
4. DSLBD says review takes up to 45 business days and is not expedited.
5. Certification lasts three years. DSLBD sends recertification notices starting 90 days before expiration.
6. The DSLBD pages we read do not state an application fee.

Watch out for

• On March 3, 2026, the Mayor proposed the Supporting Local Business Enterprises Amendment Act of 2026 and the Procurement Reform Amendment Act of 2026. They would require LBEs to be independently owned, make primes that miss subcontracting requirements pay the difference, and allow CBE set-asides on some architecture and engineering work. We could not confirm whether the Council has passed them.
• DSLBD posts lists of suspended and revoked CBEs. Keep your records current.
• Federal DBE certification for transportation work is a separate program.
• Free help: DSLBD at (202) 727-3900 or dslbd@dc.gov. Specialist appointments run the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month.

Programs in other states →

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Sources

• dslbd.dc.gov/getcertified
• dslbd.dc.gov/page/cbe-certification-frequently-asked-questions-faqs
• dslbd.dc.gov/page/new-applicants
• dslbd.dc.gov/page/cbe-compliance
• dslbd.dc.gov/
• des.dslbd.dc.gov/Registration
• dslbd.dc.gov/release/mayor-bowser-announces-new-legislation-cut-red-tape-and-make-

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.