Helping businesses compete for government contract opportunities is an important way OED can help Denver area small businesses grow and increase their revenues. The City of Denver assigns Minority/Women and/or Disadvantaged Business (M/WBE/DBE) goals to each construction project and has a Defined Selction Pool for Small Business Enterprise (SBE)  projects.   Larger contractors or consultants that bid on the City’s construction projects meet the M/WBE/DBE goal by partnering with firms certified as a Minotrity/Women Business Enterprise (M/WBE), Small Business Enterprise (SBE) or a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) by OED’s Division of Small Business Opportunity (DSBO). 

Only firms certified as a M/WBE, SBE or DBE business count in meeting each contract goal. A business may be certified for SMWDBE to compete in each program as explained below.

Small Business Enterprise (SBE) certification allows Denver area small businesses to compete for Construction-related projects funded by the City & County of Denver.  

Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) certification allows Denver area small businesses to compete for U.S. Dept. of Transportation federally-funded projects throughout the state of Colorado (including airport, highway and transit contracts).

Minority/Women Business Enterprise (M/WBE) certification allows Denver area small businesses to compete for Construction-related projects funded by the City & County of Denver.

Eligibility

The SBE or M/WBE business certification only can be used for City and County of Denver construction, reconstruction & remodeling, professional design and construction service contract opportunities.   Below is a summarized list of requirements small businesses must meet in order to receive a SBE and/or M/WBE certification:

• Overall revenue less than ½ the SBA size standard for the applicant’s industry code (a 5 year average of gross receipts)

• Management and control of business must be held by eligible owner(s)

• Personal net worth from controlling owner(s) must be under $750,000, excluding the individual’s equity in his or her primary residence, and the individual’s ownership interest in the applicant business enterprise

• “Fronts” or “Conduits” for other non-eligible business enterprises are not allowed

• The applicant business must offer services in construction related industries

• The applicant business must be in business for at least six months

• Eligible ownership cannot be held by a city employee nor by relatives of city employees whom the owners are economically dependent upon.

The DBE business certification only can be used to compete for any federally funded airport, highway or transit project/contract within the state of Colorado.   DBE certifications can be issued by OED or the Colorado Office of Certification.  Below is a summarized list of requirements small businesses must meet in order to receive a DBE certification:

• Overall revenues less than $20.41 Million (3 year average of gross receipts)

• 51% business ownership held by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals defined by federal regulation as women and/or minorities.

• Management and control must be held by eligible owner(s)

• Personal net worth from controlling owner(s) must be under $750,000, excluding the individual’s equity in his or her primary residence, and the individual’s ownership interest in the applicant business enterprise