What is the County Business Enterprise (CBE) Certification Program?
Who qualifies for certification as a County Business Enterprise?
What is the Small Business Enterprise (SBE) Certification/Sheltered Market Program?
Who qualifies for certification as a Small Business Enterprise?
What is the Federal Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program?
Who qualifies for certification as a Federal Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE)?
How can these programs benefit my business?
What are the incentive programs for certified companies?
How do I apply for certification?
Is there a cost associated with the certification?
How long does it take to become certified?
Now that my company is certified as a Small Business Enterprise (SBE); can I bid on contracts designated Sheltered Market Program (SMP)?
How long is the certification valid?
How will I know about upcoming business opportunities with Broward County?
I am already certified, but my certification expires soon. Is there a recertification process?
What happened to the Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Program?
What workshops does the Small Business Development Division conduct?
Does Broward County provide grants or loans to small business firms?
What is the County Business Enterprise (CBE) Certification Program?
The County Business Enterprise (CBE) program is the latest initiative of the Broward County Board of County Commissioners to assist Broward County's local small business community in achieving greater opportunity in County procurement. The CBE program has replaced the Community Disadvantaged Business Enterprise. The intent is to increase the participation by small businesses in County projects as both prime contractors and subcontractors. The program is like the former minority and women-owned business program in that firms have access to County subcontracting under a “percentage goals” system. It is different in that a firm need only meet size (gross receipts) and owner net worth standards, not race or gender requirements.
Who qualifies for certification as a County Business Enterprise (CBE)?
Businesses that meet the following criteria qualify to apply for County Business Enterprise certification:
- Each owner must have a personal net worth not exceeding $750,00.00 (excluding their primary residence and business)
- Has an office in Broward County, meaning that it has a current business tax receipt issue by Broward County, a physical business address (an office where the firm conducts business, not a post office box) located within the geographical limits of the county in an area zoned for the conduct of such business, and has sufficient full-time employees in Broward County to perform the contracted work
- Is an independent firm
- The applicant may not exceed the average annual maximum gross receipts standard of $5 Million, calculated over the previous three (3) years.
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What is the Small Business Enterprise (SBE) Certification/Sheltered Market Program?
The Small Business Enterprise (SBE) Certification Program certifies firms to participate in incentive programs (Sheltered Market/Reserved Contracts) available for small businesses and their owners located in Broward County who want to do business with Broward County. This program is the result of a 2001 Disparity Study that identified existing barriers for local small businesses in their attempts to do business with Broward. The Small Business Enterprise Certification program is administered in addition to the Community Disadvantaged Enterprise Certification Program. The SBE Certification Program was introduced in 2004 to insure that small Broward businesses will receive a proportionate share of County business.
Who qualifies for certification as a Small Business Enterprise (SBE) under the Sheltered Market Program?
Businesses that meet the following criteria qualify to apply for Small Business Enterprise Certification:
- The vendor must have a Broward Business Tax Receipt (previously titled Occupational License) and be located in and be doing business in Broward County.
- Each business must be independently owned and operated with 25 or fewer permanent full-time employees.
- The business must be established for a period of one year prior to submitting its application, and must serve a commercially useful function.
- The applicant may not exceed the average annual maximum gross receipts standard, calculated over the previous three (3) years, for the business category in which the firm does most of its work, as follows:
Business Category & Maximum Gross Receipts Per Year
Construction
$3 million per year
Professional Services
$500,000 per year
Contractual Services
$1 million per year
Commodities
$1 million per year
What is the Federal Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program?
The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) certification is required to bid on contracts where federal funds are involved. To qualify for this certification, you must prove that you are a small business owned and controlled by one or more individuals who are both socially and economically disadvantaged according to the guidelines in the Federal DBE Program (49 CFR Part 26).
Who qualifies for certification as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE)?
Membership in certain race and ethnic groups identified under “minority-owned business enterprise” in this appendix may meet the presumption of socially and economically disadvantaged. Women are also presumed to be socially and economically disadvantaged by the federal program. Examination of economic disadvantage also includes investigating the gross revenues and the firm owner's personal net worth (maximum of $750,000 exclusive of equity in a primary residence and in the business). Some minority and women-owned firms do not qualify as DBEs because of the gross revenue or the net worth requirements. A firm owned by a non-minority male can be certified as a DBE if social and economic disadvantage is proven in accordance with 49 CFR Part 26. Tribally-owned
How can these programs benefit my business?
If you are the small business owner of a company that provides goods or services that Broward County purchases, then you may benefit from these programs. The incentive programs available for certified Community Business Enterprise (CBE) and Small Business Enterprise (SBE) firms include a subcontracting goals program for CBE's and a bid preference afforded to SBE providers of goods and general services. The names of firms that are granted CBE and/or SBE certification are available to the public and all County and outside agency procurement personnel through an online directory.
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What are the incentive programs for certified companies?
County Business Enterprise Incentive Programs
Subcontracting goals projects – If you are a certified CBE subcontractor, your firm may be used to meet CBE subcontracting goals on selected contracts awarded by the County. Prime contractors who bid on County-funded projects must make good faith efforts to find and contract with County Business Enterprise firms to meet goals established by the County. A business directory of certified CBE firms is available on-line.
All contractors who obtain copies of bid specifications are referred to the Small Business Certified Business Directory to assist in identifying eligible CBE firms. Note: A contractor may identify an CBE to meet their goals, which is not on the list. In that case the CBE firm identified must become certified prior to the contract award.
Small Business Enterprise/Sheltered Market Incentive Programs
The County may reserve specific goods and general services contracts less than $250,000 for exclusive competition among certified Small Business Enterprise (SBE) firms under the Sheltered Market program.
How do I apply for certification?
Many small business applicants qualify for more than one certification: CBE and SBE certification programs. Only one application and associated supporting documentation is required to apply for one or two or all three certifications.
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Is there a cost associated with the certification?
Certification with Broward County is free.
How long does it take to become certified?
First-time applicants can expect to receive a final determination on their CBE and/or SBE certification application within two weeks, provided that all required documentation has been turned into the Small Business Development Division. In certain technical or highly specialized trade areas, a work site visit also may be necessary to determine the applicant's expertise in the firm's primary field of operation.
Be sure to register your small business with Broward County Purchasing Department.
Click here to apply. (no link)
Now that my company is certified as a Small Business Enterprise (SBE); can I bid on contracts designated as Sheltered Market Program?
A firm may bid on Sheltered Market Program contracts when the firm is a certified SBE with Broward County and has had a valid Broward County Business Tax Receipt for at least one (1) year prior to any bid or proposal opening. The certification letter you receive along with your certificate will clearly indicate when you are eligible to bid on Sheltered Market contracts.
How long is the certification valid?
The County Business Enterprise (CBE) and Small Business Enterprise (SBE) certifications are valid for a period of three (3) years. If you qualify for certification, you will receive a letter and certificate showing your firm's expiration date. It is the responsibility of the certified firm to maintain a valid certification. The County may send a notice approximately 45 days prior to the expiration date to notify you of the need to renew your certification.
The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) certification must be updated annually.
How will I know about upcoming business opportunities with the County?
Broward County Purchasing Division has implemented a system whereby registered vendors will receive ONLY email notification of current solicitations of interest. When a formal solicitation or addendum to a solicitation is prepared for a particular commodity or service valued over $30,000, all vendors registered for the commodity code(s) associated with the commodity/service will receive an e-mail. The e-mail will include the title and solicitation number and will provide a link which will direct the vendor to the County's current bid site on the Internet. Formal bids and Requests for Letters of Interest can be printed directly from the Internet site. Informal quotation requests are listed along with instructions for obtaining a copy of quotation requirements.
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I am already certified, but my certification expires soon. Is there a recertification process?
The Small Business Development Division (SBDD) does not offer a recertification process for firms. All firms must submit a new application along with updated supporting documents.
What happened to the Community Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (CDBE) Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE) Programs?
The County's CDBE Program was replaced by the County Business Enterprise (CBE) Program on June 23, 2009 by the Board of Broward County Commissioners. The MWBE Program has been suspended, in response to the need to complete a new Disparity Study to ensure that the Broward County's minority and women-owned business program was operating at an optimal level, to ensure fairness to all Broward County businesses. Upon completion of the Disparity Study, the County Commission will respond to the consultant's recommendations for any identified disparity, to ensure a level playing field for all firms, regardless of race or gender background.
What workshops does the Small Business Development Division conduct?
A “How to do Business with Broward County” workshop is offered throughout the year on the 3 rd Thursday of every month. This workshop features representatives from both the Purchasing and Small Business Divisions. Additional special seminars are scheduled according to demand.
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Does Broward County provide grants or loans to small business firms?
No. Broward County Government does not provide grants and/or loans to small business firms. Here are a few local organizations that assist small business with grants and/or loans:
South Florida Regional Planning Council, Loan Administration Board
954-985-4416
3440 Hollywood Blvd, Ste 140
Hollywood, FL 33302
Metro Broward
954-587-3755
Broward Alliance
800-741-1420
Local Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration
305-536-5521
100 S. Biscayne Blvd, 7th Floor
Miami, FL 33131
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