Oregon COBID Certification: Status and What to Do

What it is

Business Oregon's Certification Office for Business Inclusion and Diversity (COBID) certifies Minority Business Enterprises (MBE), Women Business Enterprises (WBE), Veteran Business Enterprises (VBE), Emerging Small Businesses (ESB) and, since April 1, 2026, Oregon Small Business Enterprises (OSBE). Agencies can limit some small contracts to certified firms and require primes to subcontract to them. OSBE adds a price or score preference on many state purchases.

What changed

• 2025: House Bill 2337 directed Business Oregon to create the OSBE certification and the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) to build a small business procurement program. Gov. Kotek signed it in July 2025 (per The Source Weekly).
• April 1, 2026: COBID began certifying OSBEs. DAS reports more than 300 certified firms.
• July 1, 2026: the OSBE preference took effect for agencies under DAS authority.

Who qualifies

• MBE, WBE, VBE: a small business under SBA size standards, at least 51% owned and controlled by minority individuals, women or veterans (ORS 200.005).
• All COBID types: for-profit, registered with the Oregon Secretary of State, properly licensed. Owners run daily operations and are U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents.
• ESB: principal place of business in Oregon, licensed and registered in Oregon. Tier 1 has fewer than 19 employees and Tier 2 fewer than 29, with revenue caps. Firms can take part for up to 12 years (per DAS).
• OSBE: for-profit, fewer than 50 employees, primary place of business in Oregon, at least one year of federal tax returns filed. Revenue caps depend on industry code.
• Out-of-state firms cannot get ESB or OSBE. The pages we reached do not say whether an out-of-state MBE, WBE or VBE must be certified in its home state first.

What it means for your bids

• Under $25,000: agencies must check for an OSBE before using statewide price agreements (office supplies, IT and vehicles are exempt). Certified firms can get direct awards.
• $25,000 to $250,000: for phone quotes, agencies seek three OSBE quotes before non-OSBEs. Written solicitations give OSBEs a preference above 0% and up to 10%. Your evaluated price drops by that percent (the contract price does not), or your score rises by it.
• OSBE can be combined with other preferences. Construction under ORS 279C is exempt.
• Agencies may limit competition to certified firms on contracts of $50,000 or less.

How to get certified

1. Read the requirements and apply at www.orcobid.com. Firms already holding ESB, VBE, DBE, MBE or WBE can use a fast-track OSBE application.
2. Cost: the official pages we reached do not list a fee.
3. MBE, WBE, VBE and ESB certifications are valid 3 years. COBID sends a "no change" statement at years one and two. Return it with last year's federal tax information or you will be decertified.
4. COBID sends a review application about 60 days before expiration. Renewal is not automatic.
5. OSBE does not expire but must be renewed each year (per DAS).
6. Processing time is not stated.

Watch out for

• If you are denied, you must wait 12 months to reapply (OAR 123-200-1500).
• Federal DBE (highway and transit work) is a separate program.
• Cities, counties and special districts use COBID certifications in their own ways.
• Free help: biz.cobid@biz.oregon.gov or 503-986-0075.

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Sources

• www.oregon.gov/das/Procurement/Pages/equity-osbe.aspx
• www.oregon.gov/das/OPM/Pages/cobid.aspx
• www.oregon.gov/ohcs/homeownership/PublishingImages/Pages/mwesb/COBID%20Info%20Flyer%
• apps.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2025R1/Downloads/MeasureAnalysisDocument/93432
• oregon.public.law/statutes/ors_200.005
• oregon.public.law/rules/oar_123-200-1400
• oregon.public.law/rules/oar_123-200-1800
• law.cornell.edu/regulations/oregon/Or-Admin-Code-SS-123-200-1500
• www.bendsource.com/news/new-law-supports-small-businesses-23536242/

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.