Determine Eligibility

To certify your business, you must first determine which certification(s) your company is eligible to receive.

Federal-level certification programs

The Small Business Administration (SBA) offers four certifications, as part of its eight total programs, designed to empower businesses and improve their chances of securing government contracts:

• 8(a) Business Development Program: For small, disadvantaged businesses looking for mentorship and access to federal contracts.
• HUBZone Certification: Focused on businesses in historically underutilized business zones.
• Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Certification: Helps women entrepreneurs secure contracts in industries where they are underrepresented.
• Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) Certification: Supports veteran entrepreneurs in accessing federal opportunities.

State-level certifications in California

The State of California provides two key certification programs aimed at helping businesses thrive:

• Small Business (SB) Certification: Available to small businesses meeting certain criteria, this certification offers bidding preferences for state contracts.
• Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) Certification: Designed to help veteran-owned businesses secure state-funded projects.

Local-level certification programs

Many cities, counties, and special districts, including transportation agencies have tailored certifications and programs to support their local economies. Some common programs include:

• Local Business Enterprise (LBE) Certifications: LBE certifications are designed to give preferential treatment to businesses within the locality. These programs encourage local spending, helping to stimulate economic growth and create jobs.
• Micro Small Local Business Enterprise (MSLBE): The City and County of San Francisco is aimed at supporting micro and small-scale businesses, the MSLBE certification focuses on providing procurement and contracting opportunities for the smallest local companies, ensuring their inclusion in government contracting activities.
• Small Local Business Emerging Business (SLEB): The County of Alameda SLEB program enhances contracting and procurement opportunities for small, local, and emerging businesses within Alameda County by providing up to a 10% bid preference on eligible contracts. This program promotes inclusiveness, diversity, and economic development while ensuring equal opportunities for all local businesses through ongoing evaluation and monitoring.
• Very Small Local Business Enterprise (VSLBE): The City of Oakland VSLBE program targets very small businesses, offering advantages that help them remain competitive in local contracting. These certifications often focus on fostering growth for businesses with limited resources or smaller operational footprints.

Where to Apply

If you are only looking to certify as a small business or a small, disadvantaged business, you do not need to complete a formal certification process and can self-certify when registering on SAM.gov. This registration is required for those who wish to pursue small business set-aside opportunities from the federal government.

If you seek additional certifications, you must complete your SAM registration and complete a separate application for each program. For example, a small, disadvantaged business may also meet the requirements for a women-owned business, which means it can apply for both certifications. The SBA Size Standards Tool is available for business owners who want to confirm eligibility for small business certification or an SBA assistance program. MySBA Certifications is now open and was recently upgraded to transform customers’ experiences with the agency through its new MySBA digital platform at the website: https://certifications.sba.gov.

Processing Time

Turnaround time for a completed application can vary by agency or organization. For example, the SBA is required to make decisions within 90 days (whenever practicable), if your business does not meet the requirements or the application is otherwise incomplete, you may need to submit additional documentation upon request, which can extend the wait time.

Benefits of Certification

Though the process of certifying your business (and maintaining certification) may seem lengthy, many small businesses find the benefits of certification well worth the time spent.

Some of the Benefits of Small Business Certifications include:

• Increased access to government contracting opportunities; agencies are mandated to reward a substantial number of contracts to certified businesses.
• Helps set your company apart in the marketplace and adds established credibility.
• Offers support through additional government programs such as the Mentor-Protégé program
• Eligible for financial assistance in the form of low interest loans, grants, and other fiduciary benefits

Navigating the world of certifications can feel overwhelming, but the rewards are well worth the effort. Whether you’re aiming to compete for federal/State contracts or stand out locally, these programs provide invaluable opportunities for growth. Take the first step today by researching the certification eligibility requirements that best fit your business and start the application process. A good place to start is to register for our upcoming certification webinar!

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If you are looking for help with government contracting certification or want no-cost help to find contracting opportunities, please contact your Norcal APEX Accelerator counselor for assistance or apply for services today!

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