Small Business Enterprise (SBE) Certification Application 

The Small Business Enterprise Certification is a race and gender neutral program.

SBE Program Eligibility

• A firm must be a small business as defined by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) by applying current SBA business size standards found in 13 CFR Part 121 that are applicable to the type of work the firm seeks to perform in USDOT-assisted contracts.
• The firm’s average annual gross receipts as defined by SBA regulations (averaged over the previous three fiscal years or part of the year which the business has been in existence), can not exceed the amount set forth in 49 CFR 26.65.
• The firm’s average gross receipts cannot exceed the overall USDOT size standard for a small business ($30.72 million averaged over the three previous fiscal years or part of year which the business has been in existence).
• At least 51% of the firm’s ownership must be held by individuals who do not exceed the personal net worth (PNW) cap of $2,047,000 million as prescribed by 49 CFR 26.67.
• A firm must be organized for profit in order to be eligible for SBE certification.
• The 51% owner must be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident.

A firm that is currently MDOT DBE certified will automatically be certified as SBE. All other firms that meet the eligibility requirements must apply to MDOT’s Office of Minority Business Enterprise (OMBE) for SBE status. All SBE certified firms will appear in the online MDOT Directory.

Each certified SBE firm must annually submit an affidavit to the OMBE affirming its continued eligibility to participate in the SBE program.

The firm is responsible for listing the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code(s) that is/are the primary activities of the business. See the following link for NAICS Codes: https://www.census.gov/naics/

• There is no cost to apply for certification as a SBE.
• Applicants must submit a complete application with all required supporting documentation.
• Submitting an incomplete application package will delay the overall certification process.
• Follow the Documentation Checklist and submit additional documents appropriate for your business structure.
• Don’t hesitate to contact OMBE with questions at any time.
• ​410-865-1269
• mbe@mdot.maryland.gov
• Application Submission:
• Apply for certification here.

SBE Application and Checklist

• Small Business Enterprise (SBE) Document Checklist
• Small Business Enterprise (SBE) Application
• Small Business Enterprise (SBE) Certification Overview

Personal Net Worth (PNW)

• USDOT Final Rule PNW Update.
• Read the PNW Guidelines (Instructions) and PNW Overview for guidance on completing the PNW form.
• Complete the required Personal Net Worth Form (PNW).
• This is the official form to be used for MBE and DBE Certification. Print or save to your desktop.