14B Local Business Enterprise (LBE) Program

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Get certified as a Local Business Enterprise

The Local Business Enterprise (LBE) Program helps small businesses compete for City contracts.

Learn more about the LBE program and the latest rules below or start your certification process now.

Get certified now

About the LBE Program

LBE certification

The Contract Monitoring Division (CMD) manages the LBE program. Becoming a certified LBE helps small San Francisco businesses compete in the City’s bidding process. LBE Certification is not required for bidding on City contracts or being a Supplier.

Benefits

Benefits Include:

Bid Discounts and Rating Bonuses
LBE Subcontractor Requirements
City Contracts which are only open to Certified Firms
Free Resources and Technical Help

To get these benefits, businesses must have their LBE certification by the bid or proposal due date.

Eligibility

LBE Requirements Include:

Have a fixed location in San Francisco or the PUC Water System Service area as their primary place of business
Have a current business license issued at least 6 months before certification
Gross receipts fall under the threshold limit
Invoices or signed contracts to show experience

Learn more

Economic Thresholds

Economic Thresholds (effective December 13, 2021):

Class A and Class B general contractors

Micro-LBE: $12M
Small-LBE: $24M
SBA-LBE: $40M

Specialty construction contractors

Micro-LBE: $6M
Small-LBE: $12M
SBA-LBE: $20M

Goods / materials / equipment suppliers

Micro-LBE: $6M
Small-LBE: $12M
SBA-LBE: $20M

General service providers

Micro-LBE: $6M
Small-LBE: $12M
SBA-LBE: $20M

Trucking and hauling

Micro-LBE: $2.5M
Small-LBE: $5M
SBA-LBE: $10M

Architect / engineering

Micro-LBE: $2.5M
Small-LBE: $5M
SBA-LBE: $8.5M

Professional services

Micro-LBE: $2.5M
Small-LBE: $5M
SBA-LBE: $8.5M

LBE Certification Categories

PUC Water Service System Zip Codes

Technical help

To get help using the Supplier Portal, call User Support at 415-944-2442 or email SFCityPartnerSupport@sfgov.org.

If you do not have a Supplier Portal account, you can still apply. Another option is to submit your application and supporting documentation by:

Email:

lbecert@sfgov.org

Mail:

Contract Monitoring Division

1455 Market Street
Suite 16A
San Francisco, CA 94103

Resources

Get certified

Get certified as an LBE

Apply to become a certified Local Business Enterprise.

New economic thresholds

See the new economic threshold limits (effective as of December 13, 2021).

LBE Initial Certification Paper Application

Complete this application if your firm has never been certified as a LBE or PUC-LBE and you would like to apply for certification

NPE Certification Paper Application

Complete this application to apply for LBE certification or recertification as a nonprofit entity.

LBE Recertification Paper Application

Complete this application if your firm has previously been certified as a LBE or PUC-LBE but the certification has expired or will expire in the next few months.

LBE Certification Change Paper Application

Complete this application if you would like to make a change to an existing LBE or PUC-LBE certification.