Small Business Enterprise

Small Business Enterprise (SBE)

The SBE Program is a certification program that offers incentives to small businesses in the Tucson Metropolitan Area interested in doing business with the City of Tucson on contracts administered by the City's Business Services Department, which may include, bid preferences and subcontracting goals for construction, professional services, and goods and services. The SBE Program is a race and gender-neutral program in that, SBE applicants may be representative of all ethnic and gender groups.

Small businesses interested in pursuing an SBE certification must meet the following criteria:

  • Owner(s) must be U. S. citizen(s) or lawfully admitted permanent resident(s) of the U.S;
  • Shall have gross receipts of the firm, that when averaged over a five-year period beginning January 1, 2021, do not exceed gross income limits for the type of business activity identified that corresponds with the Small Business Administration size standard;
  • Business address of record with the Arizona Corporation Commission must be in Pima County, Arizona;
  • Has been organized as a for-profit business;
  • Owner(s) must control the business and have the expertise and technical knowledge to operate, manage, and participate in the day-to-day functions of the business;
  • Personal net worth of each owner (individually) must not exceed $2.1 million, or $4.2 million for a married couple, excluding the owner's(s') equity interest in their personal residence and the value of the owner's interest in the business applying for certification;
  • Obtain and maintain appropriate local, State, Federal, and professional licenses as required;
  • Register as a vendor with the City of Tucson Department of Procurement at procurement.opengov.com/signup

If you have any questions about the eligibility requirements for this program, please contact the Business Enterprise & Compliance Program at ContractorCompliance@tucsonaz.gov or at (520) 837-4000 during regular business hours of Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. (Arizona Standard Time). 

How to Apply for Certification

  • To apply for certification, visit https://tucsonaz.gob2g.com/ to complete the AZUCP certification application and provide the required documents.
  • To begin application process, click on "Apply for/ Renew Certification"
  • An audit of the documentation will be conducted to determine preliminary eligibility.
  • An on-site visit/review by a Business Enterprise Compliance Specialist will be performed to determine program compliance and eligibility.
  • Once eligibility is determined and all program requirements are met a certificate of participation will be issued.
  • Many small businesses may also qualify as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise. Only one application and one set of supporting documentation is required, even when multiple categories are identified. Review the checklist to make sure that all required documentation is included with your application. Failure to include required documentation may result in an application being returned and/or certification delayed or denied.
  • For more information on the SBE Program, please contact the Business Enterprise & Compliance Program at ContractorCompliance@tucsonaz.gov or (520) 837-4000 during regular business hours of Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Arizona Standard Time).

How to find Certified SBE Firms

Visit https://tucsonaz.gob2g.com/ to search for certified SBE firms.  Click on this link for instructions on How to Search for Certified SBE Firms(PDF, 918KB).   

Related Documents and Forms

 

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