Small Business (SBE) Programs

SFMTA home > About Us > Business to government (B2G) > Selling to the SFMTA > Contract Compliance Office > Small Business (SBE) Programs

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) implements three small business contracting programs on its contracts. The funding source determines which small business participation program we will implement on our projects.

If the SFMTA receives funding from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), it will implement the Small Business Enterprise (SBE) Program Element of SFMTA's Disadvantage Business Enterprise (DBE) Program. If the SFMTA receives funding from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), it will implement a DBE program according to requirements of the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), which is charged with administering the federal program in California for FHWA.

If an SFMTA contract is not federally assisted, SFMTA will implement San Francisco's Local Business Enterprise (LBE) Program in accordance with Chapter 14B of the San Francisco Administrative Code.

Small Business Enterprise (SBE) Program for FTA-funded projects

The SBE Program Element defines an SBE as a for-profit, small business concern with a three - year average gross revenue not exceeding the thresholds established by the US Department of Transportation as illustrated in the chart below.

The Program Element is implemented in accordance with the federal DBE regulations at 49 CFR Part 26. SFMTA establishes SBE participation goals on its FTA-funded projects. For more information on this Program Element, see the DBE/SBE Frequently Asked Questions.

Businesses that want to participate as SBEs must be certified in one the following programs.

As a DBE in the California Unified Certification Program (CUCP). SFMTA is a CUCP certifying agency. To obtain an application for DBE certification, go to http://www.caltrans.ca.gov/hq/bep/business_forms.htm.

As an LBE in the San Francisco Local Business Enterprises Program. LBEs are certified by the San Francisco Human Rights Commission. For information about LBE certification, go to http://sf-hrc.org/index.aspx?page=86.

As a Small Business certified by the California Department of General Services. For information about becoming certified as a Small Business, go to http://www.dgs.ca.gov/pd/Programs/OSDS/GetCertified.aspx.

Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program for FHWA-funded projects

This program is implemented according to Caltrans’ policies and procedures in accordance with the federal regulations at 49 CFR Part 26. SFMTA establishes Underutilized Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (UDBE) participation goals on its FHWA-funded contracts.

Caltrans defines a UDBE is defined as a DBE-certified business that is owned and controlled by a socially and economically disadvantaged individual that is a member of one of the following groups: Black American, Native American, Asian-Pacific American, or Women.

San Francisco Local Business Enterprise (LBE) Program for locally funded projects

The program is implemented under San Francisco Administrative Code Chapter 14B. Firms certified under the City’s LBE Program qualify for a bid discount as a prime bidder or to meet the subcontracting/subconsulting goals on projects. For more information, please visit the San Franciscos Human Rights Commission website.

Explore:

Share/follow:
"About us" links:
- Top
- Updates
- Director of Transportation
- Board
- Business
- Careers/Jobs
- Employees
- Investor Info
- Press
- Website
Sitewide links:
Visit the 311 Self-service portal


Transit Bike Livable Streets Taxi Walk Parking Traffic About Us