Small Business Enterprise (SBE) Program

In accordance with 49 Code of Federal Regulations 26.39: Fostering Small Business Participation, WMATA has amended its DBE Program Plan to include a Small Business Enterprise (SBE) element. WMATA intends to set-aside selected federally funded contracts, with a total value less than $1,000,000, for SBEs. Firms wishing to participate as an SBE must meet the following:

  • 51% percent owned, managed and controlled by one or more economically disadvantaged individual(s)
  • Must be a small business as defined by Small Business Administration (SBA)
  • Personal Net Worth Limit: $1.32 million
  • Gross receipts must not exceed $28.48 million averaged out over three years
  • Firm must be organized as a for-profit business
NOTE: If you are applying for DBE certification, please do not submit an SBE application because DBE certification will automatically qualify your firm as an SBE.


SBE Certification Application Steps -Home State

For WMATA purposes you are considered "Home State" if your principal place of business is the District of Columbia. Click here if your company is not located in D.C.

Steps to Submit an Application

  1. Complete the SBE Certification Application
  2. Collect all supporting documents
  3. Download and complete the required SBE Personal Net Worth Statement
  4. Register as a supplier using WMATA's Supplier Portal. A temporary password will be sent to the email provided during registration.
  5. Apply for Certification; Sign-In using your User ID and Password.
  6. Click on Main Menu then on DBE/SBE/MBE Certification > Add a  New Value

Certification Documents

SBE Certification Application Steps -Interstate Certification

Applies to firms located outside the District of Columbia.

Steps to Submit an Application

  1. Firm must be certified as a DBE in its home state and make sure that their information is displayed accurately on the home state's DBE directory.
  2. Firm may seek DBE certification with WMATA by providing a copy of their certification notice from its home state PAGE 4 Continuation
  3. WMATA will confirm that the firm has a current valid certification from its home state by reviewing the electronic directory of the firm's home state or obtaining written confirmation from the home state certifying agency.
  4. Register as a supplier using WMATA's Supplier Portal. A temporary password will be sent to the email provided during registration.
  5. Apply for Certification; Sign-In using your User ID and Password.
  6. Click on Main Menu then on DBE/SBE/MBE Certification > Add a  New Value