The program is designed to ensure that small businesses have an equitable opportunity to successfully participate in the Port’s construction and consulting contracts and procurement opportunities.

Click here to view a short video [29 sec.] about the program.

Click here to view an April 2008 workshop on SBE practices and policies.

Small Business Goals and Participation in Bids and Contracts

The overall small business participation goal for Fiscal Year 2007-2008 is 25 percent combined SBE/VSBE participation, with a minimum of 5 percent allocated to VSBEs.

On contracting and consulting opportunities, Port staff allocates specific SBE and VSBE goals for each contract, prior to advertisement. The bidder or consultant must demonstrate that the goal will be met or conduct a Good Faith Effort (GFE). To access the Port’s GFE Evaluation Criteria and Submittal Instructions, click here.

What is a Small Business?

SBE: The Port of Long Beach defines a “small business” using U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) size standards based on North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) codes. For more information on NAICS codes and/or to locate the NAICS codes applicable to your business, please visit the NAICS website at http://www.naics.com/. To see if you qualify as an SBE based on SBA guidelines, click here to access the SBA’s Table of Small Business Size Standards.

VSBE: A VSBE is currently defined as a small business with $2.75 million or less in annual gross revenue, averaged over the past three years, or a manufacturer with 25 or fewer employees. The Port matches its VSBE designation to the State of California's “microbusiness” designation.

The Port's Online Database (The Network)

The Port utilizes The Network – an online database which serves as an e-procurement notification system, small business certification process, and small business search tool – as a mechanism to facilitate the SBE/VSBE Program. All businesses, large and small, are strongly encouraged to register on The Network. Small businesses must register and apply online for SBE certification to participate on Port projects under the SBE/VSBE Program.

Benefits of registering on The Network include:

• Free participation for all businesses, large and small (the participating agencies absorb the costs).
• Simple and easy self-registration process and account updates.
• Accessibility to all current and future participating agencies with a one-time registration (for a list of current participating agencies, click on “Participating Agencies” at The Network's home page.
• Simple and expedited application process for SBE certification.
• Search tool for small businesses – searchable by trade, zip code, etc.
• Email notifications of contracting and procurement opportunities, from all participating agencies, that match the goods and services your business provides.

For More Information

If you have questions about the SBE/VSBE Program, please contact Sashi Muralidharan, the Port’s SBE Administrator, at samural@polb.com or (562) 590-4146.

Goods and Services Procured by the Port

• Construction – general contractors, specialty trade contractors, construction management
• Trucking
• Engineering
• Architecture & Design
• Environmental and Planning
• Geotechnical / Laboratory / Testing
• Real Estate Appraising
• Administration, Finance, Legal
• Security
• Information Technology / Information Management
• Communications (printing, publishing/mailing, etc.)
• Repair and Maintenance

CLICK HERE
For Vendor Logn/Registration