The City of Los Angeles processes a wide variety of certifications as well as recognizes some reciprocal certifications from other agencies. 

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OWNERSHIP-BASED

DBE and ACDBE certification applications are processed following the U.S. Department of Transportation's Code of Federal Regulations (U.S. DOT), 49 CFR, Parts 23 and 26. Part 23 covers the regulations for Airport Concessionaires. Firms headquartered in Los Angeles County can apply for DBE with the city and all interested in ACDBE can also apply online at lacity.diversitysoftware.com. DBE applicant firms not headquartered in the County of Los Angeles are encouraged to apply for free with the California Unified Certification Program (CUCP) agency. The City of Los Angeles recognizes the DBE certification of firms certified by any CUCP agency. 

The City's MBE and WBE certification applications are processed following the same guidelines for ownership and control under 49 CFR, Parts 26. On February 1, 2009 OCC implemented a streamlined MBE/WBE Certification application and process. You can apply for the City's Minority/Women Business Enterprise (MBE/WBE) certification by downloading the application form to your computer.
 
Other agencies that we recognize are the Southern California Minority Supplier Development Council (SCMSDC) for MBE certification and the Women's Business Enterprise Council - West(WBEC-West) for WBE certification. Certification related fees may be charged by the SCMSDC and WBEC-West.

If your company is not headquartered in the County of Los Angeles, we encourage you to apply for free with the California Unified Certification Program (CUCP) agency at CaliforniaUCP.dbesystem.com or the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) through The Supplier Clearinghouse for both MBE and WBE certifications.

SIZE-BASED

  • Small Business Enterprise – Proprietary (SBE - Proprietary)  Only utilized by DWP, LAWA, PoLA 
  • Small Business Enterprise LA (SBE - Los Angeles)
  • Local Small Business (LSB)  https://www.rampla.org/s/
  • Emerging Business Enterprise (EBE) 
    • Get certified by the California State-Dept. of General Services and you may receive recognition as SBE(LA), SBE(Proprietary), EBE and VSBE (Harbor) with the City of LA.
    • US-based firms located outside California may apply for SBE (Proprietary)

The SBE (Proprietary) program was implemented July 1, 2016 and consolidated the small business certifications for the City’s Propriety Departments (DWP, PoLA and LAWA). The program follows the size criteria set forth by either the Small Business Administration 8(a) Business Development Program or the State of California DGS Small Business Program, whichever is larger. Firms already certified by accepted agencies do not have to complete the SBE (Proprietary) Application and will be recognized as SBE’s by the propriety departments.  The applicant should request for recognition through their company profile on RAMP.
 

LOCAL BUSINESS PREFERENCE

  • Local Business Enterprise (LBE)  https://www.rampla.org/s/
  • Local Small Business (LSB) (Local and under $5M gross receipts) https://www.rampla.org/s/
  • Local Transitional Employer (LTE) (Local and employs transitional workers) https://www.rampla.org/s/
    • For firms LOCAL to Los Angeles COUNTY.
    • LTE is open to eligible non-profit & for-profit firms LBE Local Business Enterprise LSB Local Small Business (Local and under $5M gross receipts) LTE Local Transitional Employer (Local and employs transitional workers)

The new Local Business Preference Program (LBPP), pursuant to Los Angeles Administrative Code Section 10.25-10.25.10, and City Ordinance 187121, became effective on August 7, 2021.
It replaced the previous LBE, Small Local Business (SLB) and Transitional Jobs Opportunity Program (TJOP) certifications with the current LBE, LSBE and LTE certifications. Renewals of previously certified LBE, SLB and TJOP firms are subject to the current LBPP program eligibility requirements. 

Applications/Renewals will only be accepted and processed through the business’ RAMPLA.ORG profile. Forms submitted by mail, fax or email are invalid. The firm's RAMPLA administrator is required to download and upload the completed LBPP Application Form on their RAMP Profile to apply/renew for the LBE, LSB, and LTE certifications.  The LTE program is now open for both for-profit and non-profit companies.