Locally funded programs

Updated: 8/8/2025

Do you have a small business? Is your business minority- or women-owned? Do you sell supplies and services that Metro buys, either occasionally or ongoing? Then 

Metro’s locally funded programs — the Minority Business Enterprise Program (MBE), Small Business Program (SBP), and Micro-Business Program (MBP) set aside some of Metro’s funding for qualifying businesses. These programs may be easier to qualify for than the DBE and SBE programs.

To apply for these programs, you only need to complete the application; you don’t need any supporting documents. Follow the steps below.

About the programs

Minority Business Enterprise (MBE)

The Minority Business Enterprise Program is designed to support small minority-owned businesses, providing them with equal opportunities to compete for Metro's contracts and contribute to the region's growth. To qualify for MBE certification, your company must:

  • Be a for-profit business (not a nonprofit).
  • Be at least 51% owned, managed, and controlled by one or more individuals who are members of one of these socially and economically disadvantaged groups: African-American, Asian-American, Hispanic, Native American, Subcontinental Asian-American, Women.
  • Meet size criteria set by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), including a maximum personal net worth of $1.32 million and average gross receipts not exceeding $30.40 million over three years.

If your company is already DBE-certified by Metro, you automatically qualify for MBE status. More about DBE certification

But as long as your company is located in the District, Maryland, or Virginia, you’re not required to be DBE-certified in order to apply for MBE certification. Use the steps below.

If your company is located in another state, you must be DBE-certified by your home state in order to apply for MBE certification.

Small Business Program (SBP)

Metro's Small Business Program is available to all small businesses in our region that meet the size criteria.  To qualify for SBP certification, your company must:

  • Be headquartered in the District, Maryland, or Virginia
  • Have a 3-year average revenue of ≤ $10 million
  • Have a maximum of 50 employees

Micro Business Program (MBP)

The Micro Business Program is intended for very small businesses, to help them grow by giving them special opportunities to do business with Metro. To qualify for MBP certification, your company must:

  • Be headquartered in the District, Maryland, or Virginia
  • Have a 3-year average revenue of ≤ $3 million
  • Have a maximum of 25 employees

How to apply 

First, complete the MBE SBP MBP Certification Application; then use the Supplier Portal to apply. You should do this from a computer, not a phone or mobile device. In the Supplier Portal, from the Main Menu, choose DBE/SBE/MBE Certification > Add a New Value.

All certifications must be renewed every two years.