What does 'Certified SB Including MB, SB-PW, or a DVBE Only' mean?

This phrase appears in California state bid documents and means the contract is set aside for businesses holding one of these DGS certifications: SB (Small Business), MB (Microbusiness), SB-PW (Small Business for Public Works), or DVBE (Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise). You need at least one of these certifications from the California Department of General Services to bid on the set-aside portion.

Where do I get SB, MB, or DVBE certification in California?

All four certifications (SB, MB, SB-PW, DVBE) are issued by the California Department of General Services (DGS) Office of Small Business and DVBE Services. Apply online at caleprocure.ca.gov. There is no fee.

'Certified SB, MB, SB-PW, or DVBE Only' Meaning Explained

Q: Is DBE certification the same as SB/DVBE certification?

No. DBE (Disadvantaged Business Enterprise) is a federal USDOT program for federally-funded transportation projects. SB, MB, and DVBE are California state programs administered by DGS for state-funded contracts. They are separate certifications with different requirements.

If you've browsed California state contract solicitations on CaleProcure or any state agency bid board, you've probably seen this phrase:

"Certified SB, Including MB, SB-PW, or a DVBE Only"

This language appears on thousands of California state solicitations every year. It means the contract (or a portion of it) is set aside for businesses holding specific certifications from the California Department of General Services (DGS). Here's what each abbreviation means and how to get certified.

What Each Abbreviation Means

Abbreviation	Full Name	Who Qualifies
SB	Small Business	Independently owned, California-based, meet DGS revenue or employee size limits for your industry
MB	Microbusiness	Small business with gross receipts under $5M and 25 or fewer employees (including owner)
SB-PW	Small Business for Public Works	Licensed contractor meeting SB criteria, specifically for public works construction contracts
DVBE	Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise	51%+ owned by one or more service-disabled veterans who manage daily operations

How the Set-Aside Works

California law requires state agencies to award at least 25% of contracts to certified small businesses (SB/MB) and has a separate 3% DVBE participation goal. When a solicitation says "Certified SB Including MB, SB-PW, or a DVBE Only," it means:

Only certified firms can bid on this contract (or the set-aside portion).
You must hold at least one of these four DGS certifications: SB, MB, SB-PW, or DVBE.
"Including" means any of these sub-types qualifies — you do not need all four.
Non-certified firms cannot bid on the set-aside portion but may be eligible for non-set-aside contracts.

This Is NOT the Same as DBE Certification

A common point of confusion: DBE certification is a completely separate program. DBE (Disadvantaged Business Enterprise) is a federal program administered by USDOT for federally-funded transportation projects. SB, MB, and DVBE are California state programs administered by DGS for state-funded contracts.

Feature	SB / MB / DVBE (State)	DBE (Federal)
Administered by	CA Dept of General Services	USDOT / Caltrans CUCP
Contracts	State-funded	Federally-funded transportation
Disadvantage required?	No (except DVBE = veteran status)	Yes — Personal Narrative required
Apply at	caleprocure.ca.gov	ucp.dot.ca.gov

For a full comparison, see our DBE vs SBE vs DVBE comparison guide. For the full DBE application process, see the DBE certification guide.

How to Get Certified

All four certifications are free and issued by DGS. The application is online:

Go to caleprocure.ca.gov and create an account
Select the certification type(s) you are applying for
Complete the application and upload required documents (business license, tax returns, ownership documents)
DGS reviews and responds — typical processing time is 30-45 days

For detailed requirements, see our SBE certification guide or DVBE certification guide.

"SB/DVBE Option" — What's That?

Some solicitations use the shorter phrase "SB/DVBE Option." This is the same concept — the contract is available to DGS-certified small businesses and DVBEs. The longer phrase ("Certified SB, Including MB, SB-PW, or a DVBE Only") simply lists all the eligible sub-types explicitly.

Can I Hold Multiple Certifications?

Yes, and it's recommended if you qualify. Many businesses hold both SB and DVBE certifications. You can also hold DGS certifications (SB/DVBE) and CUCP certifications (DBE) simultaneously — they serve different contract markets and there is no conflict.

What Does "Certified SB Including MB, SB-PW, or a DVBE Only" Mean in California State Contracts?