Applying For DBE Certification

The Office of Supplier Diversity (OSD), in partnership with the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans (SWBNO) and the New Orleans Aviation Board (NOAB), administers the State and Local Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (SLDBE) Certification Program.

What is a DBE?

The State & Local Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (SLDBE or, just DBE for short) Program is a race and gender neutral program that does not presume social and economic disadvantage. Each applicant carries the burden of proof regarding their eligibility in establishing their social and economic disadvantage.

Social and economic disadvantage is defined as a set of circumstances (historic and/or current and created by forces outside the applicant's control) which have prevented the applicant's business from successfully competing for contracts as compared to other similarly situated businesses. Evidence of individual social disadvantage must include:

At least one objective distinguishing factor such as race, ethnic origin, gender or gender identification, physical handicap, service in the military, long-term residence in an environment isolated from the mainstream of society, or other similar causes not common to individuals who are not socially disadvantaged.
Personal experiences of substantial and chronic social disadvantage.
Negative impact on the individual's entrance into the business world or advancement in the business world because of the stated disadvantage(s).

Economic disadvantage must also be demonstrated for an applicant to be certified in the SLDBE Program, which is demonstrated by a limited capacity to compete in the public and private marketplace due to diminished capital and credit opportunities.

The SLDBE Program also follows the economic thresholds of income & personal net worth as set forth in 49 CFR Part 26; where by an applicant's adjusted personal net worth shall not exceed $1.32 million.

Qualifying for the SLDBE Program

A business may qualify for the SLDBE Program if it is determined that the firm's ability to compete in the business world has been restricted due to industry practices, limited access to capital and/or restricted credit opportunities that are beyond the firm's control.

Eligibility is also determined by:

Ownership - The firm must be at least 51% owned by a socially and economically disadvantaged person(s).
Business Size - The firm (including its affiliates) must be a small business as defined by SBA standards. It must not have annual gross receipts over $23.98 million in the previous three fiscal years.
Independence - The business must not be tied to another firm in such a way as to compromise its independence and control.
Control - A disadvantaged owner seeking certification must possess the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of the firm. The owner must also have an overall understanding of, and managerial and technical competence and experience directly related to, the type of business in which the firm is engaged.

The SLDBE Program is a race and gender neutral program that does not presume social and economic disadvantage. Each applicant carries the burden of proof regarding their eligibility in establishing their social and economic disadvantage.

Louisiana Unified Certification Program (LAUCP)

Firms certified with the Louisiana Unified Certification Program (LAUCP), are granted provisional certification as a DBE per Policy Memorandum No. 46(R). Such provisional certification shall entitle a business to be considered a valid DBE by the City of New Orleans. LAUCP certified firms may be found on the LAUCP Directory at www.laucp.org/

Out-of-State firms that currently hold Unified Certification Program (UCP) certification within their home state are encouraged to apply for reciprocity through an LAUCP certifying agency. To find an LAUCP certifying agency please visit: www.laucp.org/.

Any further questions may be answered by emailing the Office of Supplier Diversity.

How to apply

The SLDBE Certification Application is available through the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise System powered by B2Gnow.

The City of New Orleans Business Diversity Management System is designed to empower vendors to manage their own vendor record including SLDBE certification, maintain accurate contact information, and submit contract payment details online. The system is accessible to all firms doing business with the City of New Orleans, New Orleans Aviation Board, Sewerage & Water Board and Harrah’s New Orleans. Other key features include:

Electronic SLDBE Certification Application process including New Applications and Renewal Applications;
Tracking of vendor certification applications from submission to completion;
Automated communication with contractors via email regarding compliance issues;
Prime submission of subcontractor utilization reports with automated tracking of contract goals and participation;
Enhanced online certified directory with keyword search capabilities;
Elimination of paper-based reporting.

If the application is properly completed and all supporting documents have been submitted, the processing time may be completed within 30 business days. Applications are processed by date of receipt on a first-in, first-out basis.

Paper applications are no longer accepted.

Apply for certification

Instructions on how to access and complete an application can be found in the B2GNow Online Application User Manual.

Applications are not accepted by mail.

Applications are not accepted over the phone.

Applications are not accepted in person.

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