Small Business Programs Office (SBPO)
Prompt Payment Training Registration
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) is one of the District of Columbia's official certification agencies for the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program and the Small Business Enterprise (SBE) Program. The new Small Business Program (SBP), Micro Business Program (MBP) and Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Program are WMATA initiatives.
- Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program (DBE) - Federally Mandated by 49 CFR 26
- Small Business Enterprise Program (SBE) - Federally Mandated by by 49 CFR 26.39
- Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), Small Business Program (SBP), Micro Business Program (MBP) - New programs in development stage (dedicated programs for operational and jurisdictional for funded projects).
- District of Columbia Unified Certification Program Directory certifies firms for the DBE and SBE programs. WMATA certifies firms for the MBE, SBP and Micro Business Programs (MBP)
Disadvantage Business Enterprise (DBE) Program
Designed to remedy ongoing discrimination and the continuing effects of past discrimination in federally-assisted highway, transit, airport, and highway safety financial assistance transportation contracting markets nationwide.
Eligibility
A firm must be "an existing small business" that is for-profit and 51% owned and controlled by a socially and economically disadvantaged individual. The owner's personal net worth (PNW) must be below $1.32 million, and the firm's 3-year average gross receipts must not exceed the SBA Size Standards for the types of work in which the firm is certified (see 12 CFR Part 121) or the annual overall U.S. DOT Size Standards of $28.48 Million.
Small Business Enterprise (SBE) Program
A set aside program that focuses on prime contracting procurement opportunities in the areas of goods, professional services, construction, and engineering. The goal is to increase contracting opportunities for customers, resulting in greater job availability and business growth for the local business community.
Eligibility
A firm must be a for-profit business, owned by a U.S. citizen or lawfully admitted permanent resident of the U.S. The firm must not exceed the PNW cap of $1.32 million, the Small Business Administration's (SBA) size standards for the work the business desires to perform, and overall annual gross receipts may not exceed $28.48 million.
Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Program
Becoming a certified MBE will allow the firm to take advantage of opportunities, that can prepare a business to succeed and grow in both public and private sector contracting.
Eligibility
A firm must be "an existing small business" that is for-profit and 51% owned and controlled by a socially and economically disadvantaged individual. The business must be owned by a U.S. citizen or lawfully admitted permanent resident of the U.S. The firm must not exceed the Small Business Administration's (SBA) 3-year average gross receipts caps for the work the business desires to perform, the owner’s PNW must not exceed $1.32 million, and overall annual gross receipts must not exceed $28.48 million.
Small Business Program (SBP)
A set aside program that allows small businesses to compete on a level playing field for Metro's business directly as a prime contractor. certified small businesses under this program will only compete against other similar-sized businesses.
Eligibility
Any small business that is headquartered in MD, DC, or VA (DMV), is economically disadvantaged, and that meets the SBP business size criteria can be considered for small business certification by Metro.
Small business size caps are smaller than those established for the MBE Program.
Applies to simplified acquisitions for projects that utilize non-federal funds and are valued between $50,000 and $500,000. Contracts valued up to $1 million, at the discretion of the Chief Procurement Officer, may also be set aside for SBP certified businesses.
Micro Business Program (MBP)
A prime contracting set aside program that focuses on procurement opportunities for very small businesses that are DMV headquartered firms. Certified micro businesses will compete only against other similar sized businesses. Applies to contracts using non-federal funds and that are valued up to $50,000.
Eligibility
A firm must be headquartered in the DMV area, economically disadvantaged, must have a maximum of 25 employees and no more than $3 million average gross receipts.