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Certified Business Enterprise (CBE) Wizard

 

Using this wizard will help you determine key documents that are required to complete your CBE application.

Local Requirement

To be considered for the CBE program, you must be a for-profit entity headquartered in the District of Columbia. The CBE Program provides contracting preference for local businesses so they can better compete for DC Government contracts and other procurement opportunities.

Help Notes

  • In order to be eligible for the CBE Program, your business’ principal office (i.e., headquarters) must be located in the District of Columbia.
  • In order to be eligible for the CBE Program, your business must be independently owned, operated, and controlled; or more than 50% owned, operated, and controlled by a District based enterprise or not-for-profit business; or owned by a non-District-based business enterprise or not-for-profit business that is more than 50% owned by District residents.
  • In order to be eligible for the CBE Program, the Chief Executive Officer and highest-level managers of your business must perform their functions in their principal office in the District of Columbia.
  • In order to operate legally in the District of Columbia, all businesses must be licensed. You can apply for a business license with the DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP).
  • All businesses must be subject to DC tax.
  • In order to be eligible for the CBE Program, you must be able to demonstrate one of the following:
     
    • More than 50% of the W-2 employees of the business enterprise are residents in the District; or
    • The owners of more than 50% of the business enterprise are residents of the District; or
    • More than 50% of the assets of the business enterprise, excluding bank accounts, are located in the District; or
    • More than 50% of the business enterprise’s gross receipts are District gross receipts.

Which of the following local attributes apply to your business? (Check all that apply)

Corporate Structure

Please select your business structure below.

Help Notes

  • Sole Proprietorship is the most common form of business organization. It's easy to form and offers complete managerial control to the owner. However, the owner is also personally liable for all financial obligations of the business.
  • General Partnership is a business owned by two or more persons who have agreed—verbally or in a formal written statement—to operate a business.
  • There are two types of Corporations. C (General) Corporation is a business formed by law as a separate legal entity from its owners (stockholders and shareholders).S Corporation is a business similar to a General Corporation, with the exception of specific IRS requirements.
  • (Limited Liability Company (LLC), is very popular because it allows owners to take advantage of the benefits of both the corporation and partnership forms of business. The advantages of this business format are that profits and losses can be passed through to owners without taxation of the business itself while owners are shielded from personal liability.

Which business structure best describes your enterprise? (Choose One)

Principal Office Location

The principal place of business is your headquarters where administrative and management activities are performed.

Help Notes

In determining the principal office for the business enterprise, the Department considers where the totality of the business activities in which routine and essential business functions occur such as the following:

  • Bookkeeping and other recordkeeping;
  • Payroll maintenance;
  • Receipt of business telephone calls;
  • Receipt of correspondence and bills;
  • Storing of books and records; and
  • Directing, controlling, and coordinating activities and policies by officers, principals, and managers

​The commercial or residential lease provided must have a minimum 12-month term. Month to month lease agreements are not accepted. If you own the property a deed or mortgage statement is required. If you are a home-based business the location must be your primary residence.

Is your Principal Office (i.e. headquarters) in Residential or Commercial space? (Choose One)

Business Maturity

When was your business established? (Choose One)

Tax Filing

How do you report your business revenue? (Choose One)

Select the Next button at the bottom of the page to review your personalized checklist. Please go through each item and ensure that you apply/complete each checklist item to obtain your CBE certification.Your personalized checklist is for informational purposes only.

Upon completion of your checklist review and the gathering of your documents, you will be ready to begin the CBE Application Process.

Please email [email protected] with any questions.

DISCLAIMER : Please be advised that the Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) has the right to ask for additional documents as they deem necessary. The information provided using this checklist is only intended to be general summary information to the public. It is not intended to take the place of either the written law or regulations. It shall not serve as the substitute for seeking legal advice from a corporate attorney or certified public accountant.

1. CBE Program Eligibility

Local Business Enterprise (LBE) Requirements

Based on the responses you provided, you may qualify for CBE Certification since you meet the following criteria:

  • Principal office of the business must be physically located in the District of Columbia;
  • Meets one of the following standards:
    • Independently owned, operated, and controlled; or
    • More than 50% owned, operated, and controlled by a District based enterprise or not-for-profit business; or
    • Owned by a non-District-based business enterprise or not-for-profit business that is more than 50% owned by District residents;
  • Chief Executive Officer and highest-level managerial employees of the business enterprise must perform their managerial functions in their principal office located in the District;
  • Meets one of the four following standards:
    • More than 50% of the employees of the business are residents of the District; or
    • The owners of more than 50% of the business enterprise are residents of the District; or
    • More than 50% of the assets of the business, excluding bank accounts, are in the District; or
    • More than 50% of the business gross receipts are District gross receipts
  • The business must demonstrate it meets one of the following:
    • Is properly licensed under DC law; or
    • Is subject to tax under DC law (Chapter 18 of Title 47); or
    • The business enterprise is a business enterprise identified in D.C. Official Code § 47-1808.01(1) through (5) and more than 50% of the business is owned by residents of the District.

1. CBE Program Eligibility

Local Business Enterprise (LBE) Requirements

Based on the answers you provided, you do not meet the Local Business Enterprise (LBE) requirement(s) below. You must meet all LBE requirements prior to submitting an application for consideration.

  • Principal office of the business must be physically located in the District of Columbia;
  • Meets one of the following standards:
    • Independently owned, operated, and controlled; or
    • More than 50% owned, operated, and controlled by a District based enterprise or not-for-profit business; or
    • Owned by a non-District-based business enterprise or not-for-profit business that is more than 50% owned by District residents;
  • Chief Executive Officer and highest-level managerial employees of the business enterprise must perform their managerial functions in their principal office located in the District;
  • Meets one of the four following standards:
    • More than 50% of the employees of the business are residents of the District; or
    • The owners of more than 50% of the business enterprise are residents of the District; or
    • More than 50% of the assets of the business, excluding bank accounts, are in the District; or
    • More than 50% of the business gross receipts are District gross receipts
  • The business must demonstrate it meets one of the following:
    • Is properly licensed under DC law; or
    • Is subject to tax under DC law (Chapter 18 of Title 47); or
    • The business enterprise is a business enterprise identified in D.C. Official Code § 47-1808.01(1) through (5) and more than 50% of the business is owned by residents of the District.

2. Corporate Documentation

Based on the business structure you selected, no additional corporate documents are required to be submitted with your application for CBE certification in the District of Columbia.

2. Corporate Documentation

Based on the business structure you selected, please view the appropriate corporate document you are required to be submitted with your application for CBE certification in the District of Columbia below:

Partnership Agreement
If you selected Partnership as your business structure, a Partnership Agreement is required to be submitted with your application for CBE certification in the District of Columbia.

Corporate Bylaws
If you selected Corporation as your business structure, a copy of the Corporate Bylaws is required to be submitted with your application for CBE certification in the District of Columbia.

LLC Operating Agreement
If you selected Limited Liability Company as your business structure, a copy of the LLC Operating Agreement is required to be submitted with your application for CBE certification in the District of Columbia.

Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP)
1100 4th Street SW, Washington, DC 20024
(202) 442-4400
https://dlcp.dc.gov

3. Licenses, Certifications and Registrations

Based on your responses, the following certifications and licenses are required to be submitted with your application for CBE certification in the District of Columbia.

Certificate of Clean Hands
A Clean Hands certification form is required to be submitted with your application for CBE certification in the District of Columbia. The Certificate of Clean Hands should not be older than six months. You can obtain this form by visiting the web site at https://otr.cfo.dc.gov/page/certificate-clean-hands, or by visiting the OTR office.

Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR)
1101 4th Street SW, Suite 270 West, Washington, DC 20024
(202) 727-4829
http://otr.cfo.dc.gov

Certificate of Good Standing
A Good Standing certification form is required to be submitted with your application for CBE certification in the District of Columbia. The Certificate of Standing should not be older than six months. You can obtain this form by visiting the web site at https://corponline.dlcp.dc.gov, or by visiting the DCRA office.

Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP)
1100 4th Street SW, Washington, DC 20024
(202) 442-4400
https://dlcp.dc.gov

D-U-N-S Number
Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) provides a D-U-N-S Number, a unique nine-digit identification number, for each physical location of your business. D-U-N-S Number assignment is FREE for all businesses required to register with the US Federal government for contracts or grants. To obtain your D-U-N-S Number, visit https://www.dnb.com/duns-number/get-a-duns.html.

Dun & Bradstreet (D&B)
(855) 243-9286
https://dnb.com

Basic Business License
In order to operate legally in the District of Columbia, all businesses must be licensed. You can obtain this by visiting the web site at https://dlcp.dc.gov/service/get-business-license, or by visiting the DCRA office.

Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP)
1100 4th Street SW, Washington, DC 20024
(202) 442-4400
https://dlcp.dc.gov

Professional/Occupational License
For certain business activity, a professional/occupational license may be required in lieu of a basic business license.  Examples of other DC Agencies that issue professional/occupational licensing, include:

  • Department of Health (DOH)
  • District Department of Transportation (DDOT)
  • Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration (ABRA)

To determine if your business falls into this category, you can visit https://dlcp.dc.gov/service/professional-licensing, or contact the DCRA office.

Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP)
1100 4th Street SW, Washington, DC 20024
(202) 442-4400
https://dlcp.dc.gov

Business Bank Statement
A bank statement or proof of business bank account is required to be submitted with your application for CBE certification in the District of Columbia.

Business Plan
A business plan is required to be submitted with your application for CBE certification in the District of Columbia. If you need assistance with completing this documentation, you can visit https://dslbd.dc.gov/page/business-opportunities-01.

4. Daily Business Operations

Based on the business structure you selected, the following general business documents are required to be submitted with your application for CBE certification in the District of Columbia.

Company Capability Statement
A Company Capability Statement is required to be submitted with your application for CBE certification in the District of Columbia. If you need assistance with completing this documentation, you can visit https://dslbd.dc.gov/page/business-opportunities-01.

Employee List
A current list of all employees is required to be submitted with your application for CBE certification in the District of Columbia. Please include the full name and home address of each employee.

Financial Statement
A current financial statement is required to be submitted with your application for CBE certification in the District of Columbia. A balance sheet profit and loss statement and fixed asset inventory can be provided as a financial statement. Must be current up to the 90-day period prior to application submission.

Resumes for Key Employees
Resumes of all key employees are required to be submitted with your application for CBE certification in the District of Columbia. Key employees include the CEO and highest-level managers.

5. Principal Office Location

All businesses seeking CBE certification must provide the following documents to confirm their principal office meets the local requirements.

Certificate of Occupancy
A Certificate of Occupancy is required for all businesses operating from a commercial location in the District. You can obtain this by visiting the web site at https://dob.dc.gov/service/get-certificate-occupancy, or by visiting the DCRA office.

Department of Buildings (DOB)
1100 4th Street SW, Washington DC 20024
(202) 442-4400
https://dob.dc.gov

Lease (12 month minimum) or Deed

A lease (12 month minimum) is required to be submitted with your application for CBE certification in the District of Columbia. Month to month leases are not accepted.

The Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) has made an agreement with The Washington DC Economic Partnership (WDCEP) to assist businesses and start-ups find space in the District: https://www.wdcep.com

If your business is in a shared office space and you have questions related to the lease requirements, please contact the DSLBD certification division at [email protected]

5. Principal Office Location

All businesses seeking CBE certification must provide the following documents to confirm their principal office meets the local requirements.

Home Occupancy Permit
A Home Occupancy Permit is required for all businesses operating from a personal residence in the District. You can obtain this by visiting the web site at https://dob.dc.gov/node/1616176, or by visiting the DCRA office.

Department of Buildings (DOB)
1100 4th Street SW, Washington DC 20024
(202) 442-4400
https://dob.dc.gov

Lease (12 month minimum) or Deed
A lease (12 month minimum) is required to be submitted with your application for CBE certification in the District of Columbia. Month to month leases are not accepted.
The Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) has made an agreement with The Washington DC Economic Partnership (WDCEP) to assist businesses and start-ups find space in the District: https://www.wdcep.com
If your business is in a shared office space and you have questions related to the lease requirements, please contact the DSLBD certification division at [email protected]

6. Tax Records

Based on your responses, the following documents are required to be submitted with your application for CBE certification in the District of Columbia.

Employer Quarterly Contribution & Wage Report: UC-30
Employers, if applicable, are required to submit the current quarter’s Employer's Quarterly Contribution and Wage Report (Form UC-30) to DSLBD with the CBE application. If the business has additional locations outside of the District of Columbia, this information will be required for each state. You can obtain this by visiting the web site at https://does.dc.gov/page/office-unemployment-compensation-ui-tax-division-forms, or by visiting the DOES office.

Department of Employment Services (DOES)
4058 Minnesota Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20019
(202) 724-7000
http://does.dc.gov

Notice of Federal Tax Registration
Employer Identification Numbers are issued for the purpose of tax administration and are not intended for participation in any other activities (e.g., tax lien auction or sales, lotteries, etc.). If you need assistance with obtaining your Federal Employee Identification Number (FEIN), you can visit http://www.irs.gov/Businesses/Small-Businesses-&-Self-Employed/Apply-for-an-Employer-Identification-Number-(EIN)-Online

Notice of District of Columbia Tax Registration
A Notice of Tax Registration is required to be submitted with your application for CBE certification in the District of Columbia. You can obtain this by visiting the web site at http://otr.cfo.dc.gov/page/new-business-registration, or by visiting the OTR office.

Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR)
1101 4th Street SW, Suite 270 West, Washington, DC 20024
(202) 727-4829
http://otr.cfo.dc.gov

District or State Tax Return (Individual)
An individual district tax return is required to be submitted with your application for CBE certification in the District of Columbia. You can obtain this by visiting the web site at https://otr.cfo.dc.gov/node/378952, or by visiting the OTR office.

Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR)
1101 4th Street SW, Suite 270 West, Washington, DC 20024
(202) 727-4829
http://otr.cfo.dc.gov

Federal Tax Return (Individual)
An individual federal tax return is required to be submitted with your application for CBE certification in the District of Columbia.

Internal Revenue Service
77 K Street NE, Washington, DC 20002
(800) 829-1040
http://www.irs.gov/uac/Contact-Your-Local-IRS-Office-1

District Tax Return (Business)
A business district tax return is required to be submitted with your application for CBE certification in the District of Columbia. You can obtain this by visiting the web site at http://otr.cfo.dc.gov/page/business-tax-forms-and-publications, or by visiting the OTR office.

Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR)
1101 4th Street SW, Suite 270 West, Washington, DC 20024
(202) 727-4829
http://otr.cfo.dc.gov

Federal Tax Return (Business)
A business federal tax return is required to be submitted with your application for CBE certification in the District of Columbia.

Internal Revenue Service
77 K Street NE, Washington, DC 20002
(800) 829-1040
http://www.irs.gov/uac/Contact-Your-Local-IRS-Office-1