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A Certified Business Enterprise (CBE) is a business headquartered in the District of Columbia and certified by the Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD). Are you wondering, “Why Amerigroup DC?” Check out the slideshow below.

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CBE Program PDF (updated)

CBE Certification Criteria

In order to be eligible for CBE certification, your business must meet the following criteria:

  1. The principal office of the business must be physically located in the District of Columbia;
  2. Meets one of the following standards:
    1. Independently owned, operated, and controlled; or
    2. More than 50% owned, operated, and controlled by a District-based enterprise or not-for-profit business; or
    3. Owned by a non-District-based business enterprise or not-for-profit business that is more than 50% owned by District residents;
  3. 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;
  4. Meets one of the following standards:
    1. More than 50% of the employees of the business are residents of the District; or
    2. The owners of more than 50% of the business enterprise are residents of the District; or
    3. More than 50% of the assets of the business, excluding bank accounts, are in the District; or
    4. More than 50% of the business gross receipts are District gross receipts

For new applicants – the steps to becoming a CBE are as follows:

  1. Register in the new DES system* and submit an online CBE application HERE.
    (the online application must include the uploaded checklist items).
  2.  DSLBD review and determination.

*Please save the username and password you create, as you will need this information when returning to the system to complete your application or start another application with the Department.

At Amerigroup District of Columbia, we are dedicated to fostering the growth of small and local business enterprises in the District, thereby expanding the pool of qualified Certified Business Enterprises (CBEs). Our mission revolves around providing resources and mentorship to Small Business Enterprises (SBEs) and CBE service providers, granting them access to our extensive network of business resources to accelerate their success, generate employment opportunities, and boost revenue within the District.

Our Program Highlights:

Technical and General Assistance for CBE Applications: We understand the importance of CBE status, and we are here to assist local businesses in navigating the process of filing CBE applications. Our team offers both technical expertise and general guidance to ensure a smooth application process.

Commitment to the District’s Business Community: We take immense pride in being an integral part of the District’s vibrant business community. Our unwavering commitment is to support and fortify this community by creating a nurturing environment for SBEs to flourish. We believe that by investing strategically and broadly, we can drive economic success for District residents as a whole.

Stay Connected with Our Events and Activities: To further strengthen business connections and foster collaborations, we regularly host special events, training sessions, and marketplace activities. These events serve as opportunities for businesses to network, learn, and engage, ultimately contributing to the growth and prosperity of the District’s business landscape.

We invite you to keep an eye out for announcements regarding our upcoming special events, informative training sessions, and dynamic marketplace activities. By actively participating in these initiatives, you will not only enrich your business network but also play a vital role in nurturing partnerships that drive economic growth in the District.

Your success is our success, and we are here to support you every step of the way. If you have any questions, require additional information, or wish to explore how Amerigroup District of Columbia can assist your business, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Food Jonezi – Charmaine Jones

“We are delighted to partner with Amerigroup DC.  Through this collaboration, Food Jonezi has expanded its reach in the community by providing nutrition education and counseling, cultural cooking classes, and our culinary program which prepares DC residents to work in a food services industry.  Food Jonezi has been fortunate to have Amerigroup DC as not only a partner, but also as a friend that has been supportive in our growth as a small black-owned business.”

INSPR Media – Enid Doggett

“As a CBE in the District of Columbia, it is an absolute pleasure to collaborate with the exceptional team at Amerigroup DC. Currently, INSPR Media is actively involved in supporting Amerigroup DC’s outreach efforts aimed at ensuring Medicaid enrollees maintain their insurance coverage during the ongoing redetermination period. As part of our collaboration, INSPR utilizes the services of DC-based media companies and community newspapers, many of which are also Certified Business Enterprises, to disseminate messages on Medicaid Renewal effectively. Through print and digital advertising with these DC-based media companies, we are able to reach more than 400,000 (population is 712,000) residents of the District of Columbia.”

“We take great pride in our work with Amerigroup DC and in supporting its mission to provide residents greater access to the tools and resources that will help them build healthy and successful lives.”

C3 Cares

Community Concierge Care (C3 Cares) has supported the EPSDT program in hosting 3 health screening events this summer across three DC public housing communities. C3 Cares was able to provide physical exams and immunizations, including COVID vaccines and health education.

Amerigroup DC’s first health event took place at Highland Dwellings, and C3 Cares was able to assist Amerigroup DC enrollees with their well-child screenings and immunizations. They were also able to support families and children close the care gap by identifying those patients with missed doctor’s visits. C3 Cares was able to establish care for those patients at the on-site clinic.

Amerigroup DC plans to host more health screening events in collaboration with C3 Cares this Fall.

DH Lloyd & Associates, Inc- Amir M. Ali
“Working with Amerigroup DC has been a pleasure. With the project we are working on together, we have been able to expand our reach and growth.”

What is a CBE?

A Certified Business Enterprise (CBE) is a business headquartered in the District of Columbia and certified by the Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD). Businesses with CBE certification receive preferred procurement and contracting opportunities.
  • The 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.

Why should my business apply for CBE certification?

Businesses with CBE certification receive preferred procurement and contracting opportunities. The District directs spending to these DC-based businesses that support and contribute to job creation and the city tax base, which in turn results in a much stronger local economy. Each agency must exercise its contracting and procurement authority, including an agency that contracts or procures through the Office of Contracting and Procurement (OCP). In addition, it must meet, on an annual basis, the goal of procuring and contracting 50 percent of the dollar volume of its goods and services, including construction goods and services, to Small Business Enterprises (SBEs).

Is a non-profit eligible for certification? 

No.  Only for profit entities are eligible for CBE certification with the Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD).

What is my first step if I move my business to the District?

If you are moving your business to the District, except for sole proprietorships, you will need to register your business with the DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP).  For assistance, you can contact DLCP's Small Business Resource Center (SBRC) at (202) 671-4500

My business is incorporated in another state, and my office is in DC.  Am I eligible?

Yes, it does not matter where your business was originally incorporated. However, you will need to register your business (as a foreign entity) with the DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP). For assistance, you can contact DLCP’s Small Business Resource Center (SBRC) at dcbiz.ecenterdirect.com or (202) 671-4500. Please note in addition to meeting this requirement; your business must be headquartered in the District of Columbia and meet all Local Business Enterprise (LBE) requirements to qualify for the CBE program.

Does DSLBD grant reciprocity from other jurisdictions? 

No. DSLBD's CBE program is designed for District-based businesses only. Other certification programs are not designed to comply with the legal requirements of the District's program.

For how long is my certification valid?

Businesses are certified for three (3) years. Ninety (90) days before expiration, the business will receive an electronic notification to recertify. The business will receive reminders sixty (60) days, thirty (30) days, and one (1) day before expiration. 

What are the different categories of certification?

Certification as a Local Business Enterprise (LBE) is a prerequisite to be certified in any additional business enterprise category within the CBE Program. In the CBE Program, once a business meets all LBE requirements, the business can request the Small Business Enterprise (SBE),  Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE),  Resident-owned Business Enterprise (ROB),  business enterprise located within a Development Enterprise Zone (DZE),  Longtime Resident Business Enterprise (LRB),  Veteran-owned Business Enterprise (VOB) or the Local Manufacturing Business Enterprise (LME) designation(s) for consideration to receive additional preference points or percentages.

What are the preference points associated with each category of certification?

CBE Category Proposal Points Bid % Price Reduction
Local Business Enterprise 2 2%
Small Business Enterprise 3 3%
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise* 2 2%
Development Enterprise Zone 2 2%
Resident-Owned Business 5 5%
Longtime Resident Business 5 10%
Veteran-Owned Business Enterprise 2 2%
Local Manufacturing Business Enterprise 2 2%
Equity Impact Enterprise 5 10%
*Note: The personal net worth of the applicant seeking DBE certification must be less than $1,000,000, excluding the value of their primary residence and the values of their ownership interest in the CBE.

What is a Small Business Enterprise (SBE), and how can my business qualify?                          

A small business enterprise is a certification designation offered by DSLBD.  Eligibility requires the business be deemed a local business enterprise;  independently owned, operated, and controlled; and considered as certified by the United States Small Business Administration as a small business concern or meets the definition of a small business concern under the Small Business Act, approved July 18, 1958 (72 Stat. 863; 15 USC § 631 et seq.). The Department determines eligibility based on the applicant's averaged annualized gross receipts for the 5 years preceding certification.  DSLBD also considers SBA industry limits but does not exclusively use them.  If your business' average annual gross receipts are below the listed limit for the specified industry, then you are eligible for this category.  The chart below signifies industry limits used by DSLBD for determining the SBE designation in accordance with DC Code  2-218.32.
SBE Certification Category Industry Description Limit
Construction, Heavy (Streets and Highways, Bridges, etc.) $23M
Construction, Building (General Construction, etc.) $21M
Construction, Specialty Trades $13M
Goods & Equipment $20M
General Services $19M
Professional Services, Personal Services $5M
(Hotel, Beauty, Laundry, etc.)  
Professional Services, Business Services $10M
Professional Services, Health & Legal Services $10M
Professional Services, Health Facilities Management $19M
Manufacturing Services $10M
Transportation & Hauling Services $13M
Financial Institutions $300M

How long will the CBE certification process take?

The CBE certification process can take up to 45 business days once you submit the application.  DSLBD does not expedite applications.

Is there a sample checklist of required documents for the CBE application process?

Yes. Click to view a sample checklist. This is a sample only. Customized checklists are generated upon completion of the online application.

Does CBE certification automatically confer DDOT DBE certification?

No, DSLBD certification has no bearing on federally-funded highway projects. Visit the DC Department of Transportation (DDOT) Disadvantaged Business Enterprise page to learn more about DDOTs' DBE program: http://ddot.dc.gov/dbe.

What happens if my application is not approved?

If your application is not approved, you will receive a notice of decision from the Director of DSLBD detailing the reasons for denial and rights to appeal.  If you are not approved, you will not be able to submit a new application for six (6) months from the date you received the notice. 

Is there a logo that I can use to market my business as a Certified Business Enterprise (CBE)? And how can I use it?

Yes, there is an official DSLBD CBE program logo. As of 2017, the Department is providing a CBE Branding Guide, which provides guidance and details on how to use the CBE logo to assist your business in gaining opportunities. The logo is only for active CBEs. Email cbe.info@dc.gov to receive the logo file.

How do I notify the Department of a change in my certification?

The business is required to submit an application within the DSLBD Enterprise System (DES) to report a change to a CBE certificate. (See steps below.)
  1. Log in to the DES system by visiting https://des.dslbd.dc.gov
  2. Enter your username and password.
  3. Select the 'Update Information' option.
  4. Select the desired change:
  • (a) Change in Category
  • (b) Change in Address
  • (c) General Information
  • (d) NIGP Code
  • (e) Change in Ownership
  1. After selecting the checkbox for the desired area of change, the 'Documents' section will appear to provide evidence in support of the change. Upload the required evidence.
  2. Select 'Save and Continue.'
  3. Complete the Attestation page and submit the application.
If the business is reporting a name change or would like to add a trade name to the public profile, a notification on business letterhead should be sent to the Department to the attention of the Certification Manager at cbe.info@dc.gov. Pursuant to the CBE law, during the term of an active certificate, a CBE shall report to the Department any change of address, change of ownership, or other change that may affect the continued eligibility of the CBE within thirty (30) days of the date of the change. Upon learning of any changes, the Department may request documentation regarding continued eligibility and conduct onsite inspections. Failure to report a change may result in the revocation of a CBE certificate.

Can I meet with a Specialist prior to submitting my application?

Yes. Please visit the following link: https://dlcpsbrc.ecenterdirect.com//events?reset=1 (DLCP Small Business Resource Center) to schedule an appointment to meet one-on-one with a member of DSLBD's certification division.  Specialists are available twice monthly on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month.

What does independently owned, operated, and controlled mean?

A business entity organized for profit that manages and controls its day-to-day operations without being subject to control, restriction, modification, or limitation by another business entity organized for profit or not-for-profit business that has an ownership or other financial interest in the business seeking CBE certification or an existing CBE.

How can I view and/or print my CBE certificate?

If you would like to view and print your certificate, please use the following steps.
  1. Log into our District Enterprise System (DES) https://des.dslbd.dc.gov/s/login/.
  2. Select 'View Certificate.' You are also able to View Your Public Profile here as well.
To print a CBE certificate when logged into the DES:
  1. Select the View Certificate button on the Welcome page;
  2. Select the More Information link located in the gold section at the top of the page;
  3. Select your browser as explained on the page;
  4. Follow the specified instructions on the page for your browser; and
  5. Close the gold section at the top of the page by selecting the "X" in the right corner of the gold section.

Get translation and interpretation services free of charge.

Enrollee Services : (800) 600-4441 (TTY 711)

Nondiscrimination Policy:

This program is funded in part by the Government of the District of Columbia Department of Health Care Finance.