Certification

The Small Business Enterprise (SBE) certification allows Denver area small businesses to compete for construction-related and a wide range of goods and services being procured by the City & County of Denver.

It is race- and gender-neutral.

BUSINESS SIZE: For Construction, your annual revenues must not exceed the full SBA Size Standard averaged over three years. For Professional Services, you must not exceed half of the SBA Size Standard, averaged over three years.

TIME IN BUSINESS: You must actively be in business for six months.

PERSONAL NET WORTH: All owners must be under the Personal Net Worth standard of less them $1.32 million. This amount excludes a primary residence and ownership interest in the company applying for certification.

WORK TYPE: Construction-related and a wide range of goods and services.

FEE: $200 non-refundable application fee.

The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) certification affords small businesses who meet the definition of disadvantaged an improved opportunity to compete for contracts.

It is race- and gender-conscious. 

BUSINESS SIZE: As of January 13, 2021, your annual revenues must not exceed an overall cap of $26.29 million, averaged over three years.

OWNERSHIP: At least 51% of your company ownership must be members of economically and socially disadvantaged groups (Women, Hispanic, Asian, Black, Native American).

TIME IN BUSINESS: You must actively be in business for at least one day, i.e., your trade name is registered with the State of Colorado.

PERSONAL NET WORTH: All owners must be under the Personal Net Worth standard of less than $1.32 million (this amount excludes a primary residence and ownership interest in the company applying for certification). More detail on eligibility requirements.

WORK TYPE: A commercially useful function.

FEE: No application fee or administrative charge.

The Emerging Business Enterprise (EBE) certification allows Denver area emerging businesses to compete with other emerging businesses on specific construction and professional services projects. It is available to firms already certified as MBE/SBE/SBEC/WBE.

It is race- and gender-neutral.

BUSINESS SIZE: For Construction firms, your annual revenues must not exceed $3 million averaged over three years (for Professional Services, must not exceed $1 million).

TIME IN BUSINESS: You must actively be in business for at least six months.

PERSONAL NET WORTH: All owners must be under the Personal Net Worth standard of less than $1.32 million (this amount excludes a primary residence and ownership interest in the company applying for certification).

WORK TYPE: Construction or Professional-Services related.

FEE: $200 non-refundable application fee, or a $50 non-refundable renewal application fee.

The Minority/Women Business Enterprise (M/WBE) certification affords small businesses the opportunity to compete for contracts.

It is race- and gender-conscious. 

BUSINESS SIZE: For Construction, your annual revenues must not exceed the full SBA Size Standard averaged over three years (for Professional Services, it is half of the SBA Size Standard, averaged over three years).

OWNERSHIP: At least 51% of your company ownership must be members of economically and socially disadvantaged groups (Women, Hispanic, Asian, Black, Native American).

TIME IN BUSINESS: You must actively be in business for six months.

PERSONAL NET WORTH: All owners must be under the Personal Net Worth standard of less than $1.32 million (this amount excludes a primary residence and ownership interest in the company applying for certification).

WORK TYPE: Construction-related and some covered goods and services.

FEE: $200 non-refundable application fee, or a $50 non-refundable renewal application fee.

The Small Business Enterprise Concessionaire (SBEC) certification allows qualified Denver area small businesses an improved opportunity to compete as a Concessionaire.

It is race- and gender-neutral.

BUSINESS SIZE: Your annual revenues for food, beverage and retail must not exceed the SBA Size Standard, averaged over three years

TIME IN BUSINESS: You must actively be in business for six months.

PERSONAL NET WORTH: All owners must be under the Personal Net Worth standard of less than $1.32 million (this amount excludes a primary residence and ownership interest in the company applying for certification).

WORK TYPE: Concessionaire.

FEE: $200 non-refundable application fee, or a $50 non-refundable renewal application fee.

The Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE)  certification affords small business the opportunity to compete for concessions contracts, either as an operator or supplier, at Denver International Airport as well as other airports receiving federal funding throughout Colorado.

It is race- and gender-conscious. 

BUSINESS SIZE: Your annual revenues must not exceed an overall cap of $56.42 million. The standards for banks, telecommunications companies, and rental car companies are based on the number of employees.

OWNERSHIP: At least 51% of your company ownership must be members of economically and socially disadvantaged groups (Women, Hispanic, Asian, Black, Native American).

TIME IN BUSINESS: You must actively be in business for at least one day, i.e., your trade name is registered with the State of Colorado.

PERSONAL NET WORTH: 51% of your company ownership must be under the Personal Net Worth standard of less than $1.32 million (this amount excludes a primary residence and ownership interest in the company applying for certification). More detail on eligibility requirements.

WORK TYPE: Concessionaire, or provides goods and services to concessionaire(s).

FEE: No application fee or administrative charge.