SBE Program
New Opportunities for Small Businesses with the JTA
In accordance with 49 Code of Federal Regulations 26.39: Fostering Small Business Participation, the Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) has amended its DBE Program Plan to include a Small Business Enterprise (SBE) element. The SBE Program is race and gender neutral and seeks to increase small business participation through structuring opportunities to facilitate competition by small business concerns and taking reasonable steps to eliminate obstacles to their participation.
It is the policy of the JTA to ensure nondiscrimination in the award and administration of all contracts. To establish an equal opportunity for small and emerging businesses SBEs to fairly compete for contracts and subcontracts in the agency's construction, procurement, and professional services activities. Firms wishing to participate as an SBE must meet the same criteria of the DBE Program but are not required to be socially disadvantaged. Qualifying and interested firms must complete an SBE Certification Application and submit it with the required supporting documentation.
Program Objectives
- Create and sustain opportunities for small businesses to participate in project opportunities at the JTA.
- Stimulate the economy by providing sustained revenue opportunities to local and small businesses.
- Reduce barriers to entry and establish minimum participation goals.
- Achieve the participation of SBEs at levels comparable to their availability to provide services.
- Develop their status and expertise so that they may compete for future contracts on an equal basis.
Requirements for SBE Certification:
- The business must be for-profit.
- Qualified owner(s)’ personal net worth must be less than $2.047 million.
- Annual gross receipts must be less than $30.72 million (three-year average).
- The qualifying owner(s) must be in control of management and daily business operations.
- Qualified applicant(s) must own 51% of the business.
- The applicant must be U.S. citizen or lawfully admitted permanent residency.
- Applicant must submit a complete application with all required supporting documentation.
Application Submission:
NOTE: There is no cost to apply for certification as an SBE.
- Apply for certification: https://jtafla.dbesystem.com
- NOTE: JTA certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) or Local Small Business Enterprise (LSBE) are considered SBEs and do not have to apply. These firms have already been added to the SBE directory.
- Firms that are Jacksonville Small and Emerging Businesses (JSEB) certified with the City of Jacksonville or Small/Micro Business Enterprises (S/MBE) and Minority/Women Business (M/WBE) certified with the Duval County Public Schools are considered SBEs and do not have to apply. However, we encourage these firms to apply as a “Reciprocal” and provide a current certification letter so that they can be added to the SBE directory.
- All “in-state” DBE firms that were not certified by the JTA, do not have to apply for the SBE program, whereas, they are already considered an SBE firm. Those firms desiring to be included in JTA’s SBE directory would then have to apply.
- Out-of-State certified DBE firms desiring to be SBE certified via the JTA must submit an Interstate DBE application. Once the interstate DBE certification is approved – that firm will then be added to the SBE directory.
- Firms that are Small Business Administration 8(a) certified in the Business Development Program are encouraged to apply.
- All other firms that meet the eligibility requirements must apply to JTA’s Small Business Enterprise (SBE) program.
- Every three years, JTA-certified SBE firms must submit an affidavit to JTA to affirm their continued eligibility to participate in the SBE program.
- All new applications are subject to approval by JTA staff.
Don’t hesitate to contact JTA’s Office of Small Business & Community Impact with questions at any time at dbe1@jtafla.com or by calling us at 904-632-5298.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the JTA Small Business Enterprise (SBE) Program?
- The program is race and gender neutral, aiming to boost small business participation in JTA contracting opportunities by creating structured opportunities that promote competition among small business, address concerns and by implementing reasonable measures to remove barriers to their involvement.
- What are the eligibility requirements for the SBE Program Certification?
- The business must be for-profit.
- Qualified owner(s)’ personal net worth must be less than $2.047 million.
- Annual gross receipts must be less than $30.72 million (three-year average). (Excludes the following: primary residence, ownership interest in the business and any qualified retirement assets).
- The qualifying owner(s) must be in control of management and daily business operations.
- Qualified applicant(s) must own 51% of the business.
- The applicant must be U.S. citizen or lawfully admitted permanent residency.
- Applicant must submit a complete application with all required supporting documentation.
- How can a firm become certified as an SBE by the JTA? NOTE: There is no cost to apply for certification as an SBE.
- Apply for certification: https://jtafla.dbesystem.com
- NOTE: JTA certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) or Local Small Business Enterprise (LSBE) are considered SBEs and do not have to apply. These firms have already been added to the SBE directory.
- Firms that are Jacksonville Small and Emerging Businesses (JSEB) with the City of Jacksonville or Small/Micro Business Enterprises (S/MBE) and Minority/Women Business (M/WBE) with the Duval County Public Schools are considered SBEs and do not have to apply. However, we encourage these firms to apply as a “Reciprocal” and provide a current certification letter so that they can be added to the SBE directory.
- In-state DBE firms that were not certified by the JTA, do not have to apply for the SBE program, whereas they are considered an SBE firm. Those firms desiring to be included in JTA’s SBE directory would have to apply.
- Out-of-State certified DBE firms desiring to be SBE certified via the JTA must submit an Interstate DBE application. Once the interstate DBE certification is approved – that firm will then be added to the SBE directory.
- Firms that have an active and current Small Business Administration 8(a) certification in the Business Development Program are encouraged to apply.
- All other firms that meet the eligibility requirements must apply to the JTA Small Business Enterprise (SBE) program.
- Every three years, JTA-certified SBE firms must submit an affidavit to JTA to affirm their continued eligibility to participate in the SBE program.
- All new applications are subject to approval by JTA staff.
- If I am a DBE firm certified in the State of Florida, but did not get that certification via the JTA - am I automatically enrolled into JTA’s SBE program?
- By virtue of your firm being currently DBE certified in the State of Florida – you are considered SBE certified firm and do not have to apply for the SBE program. If staff can verify that your firm has an active DBE certification then your firm is fine. If you desire to be enrolled in JTA’s SBE directory, you will have to apply but it is not a requirement.
- If my firm is certified as an MBE, SBE, SBA, WBE, etc., am I automatically enrolled into JTA’s SBE program?
- No, only firms that were certified by the JTA as DBE and/or LSBE are automatically enrolled into the SBE directory. Your firm is considered a SBE by virtue of the certification/s that you have, as long as it’s current and active. If you desire to have your firm listed in JTA’s SBE directory, you will have to apply online for the SBE certification. Typically, this process is not long.
- How do I apply for the SBE Program Certification?
- What is the cost of the SBE Program Certification?
- There is no cost for the SBE certification or any of JTA’s small business programs.
- How long is the SBE Program Certification valid?
- The certification is valid for three years. Recertification requires the owner to submit a program eligibility affidavit, three years’ worth of business taxes, and affiliation documents.
- What are the benefits of obtaining the SBE Program Certification?
- The SBE certification program is a federal certification offered by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) for small businesses. The program seeks is race and gender neutral and seeks to increase small business participation by structuring opportunities to facilitate competition by small business concerns and taking reasonable steps to eliminate obstacles to their participation. Your business must meet SBA size standards for a Small Business at (https://www.sba.gov/federal-contracting/contracting-guide/size-standards#id-size-standards-define-small-business).
- Once certified as an SBE, your firm will be placed in the JTA’s SBE directory, which is distributed and advertised during all JTA pre-bid meetings.
- More opportunities to participate in procurements with the JTA.