Certification Qualifications

To qualify for City of Cleveland certification, an applicant must successfully demonstrate the following:

• The firm must operate independently of other firms.

• Ready, willing, and able to perform work in the area it seeks certification.

• Provide proof of ownership

• The firm must be located and doing business in either the Cleveland or Local Contracting Market.

Definition of a Cleveland Area Small Business (CSB)

A CSB is a business enterprise that is a Small Business Enterprise (meets the Small Business Administration's (SBA's) size standard). It has its principal office (headquarters) located physically in the Cleveland Contracting Market, Cuyahoga County. Its chief executive officer and highest-level managers maintain their offices and perform their managerial functions in the Cleveland Contracting Market, Cuyahoga County.

Definition of Cleveland Contracting Market

• For MBE, FBE and LGBTBE the Cleveland Contracting Market is Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Portage, and Summit counties.
• The Cleveland Contracting Market for a CSB is Cuyahoga County.

Definition of a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE)

An MBE is a business enterprise owned, operated and controlled by one (1) or more Minority Persons who have at least fifty-one percent (51%) ownership. The Minority Person(s) must have operational and managerial control, interest in capital, and earnings commensurate with the percentage of ownership. To qualify as a Minority Business Enterprise, the enterprise shall be located and doing business in the Cleveland Contracting Market.

Definition of a Female Business Enterprise (FBE)

An FBE is a business enterprise owned, operated, and controlled by one (1) or more Females who have fifty- one percent (51%) ownership. The one (1) or more Females must have operational and managerial control, interest in capital, and earnings commensurate with the percentage of Female ownership. To qualify as a Female Business Enterprise, the Business Enterprise shall be located and doing business in the Cleveland Contracting Market.

Definition of a Local Producer Enterprise (LPE)

An LPE is a person which has its principal office (headquarters) located physically in the Local Contracting Market and whose highest executive officers & highest-level managers maintain their offices & perform their respective executive managerial functions & duties in the Local Contracting Market; and

• Grows food or fabricates goods, whether or not finished, from organic or raw materials;
• Processes goods, materials, food or other products so as to increase their commercial value by not less than 50%; or
• Supplies goods by performing a commercially useful function; or provides, by its qualified full-time employees, maintenance, repair, personal, or professional services.

Definition of a Local Sustainable Business Enterprise (SUBE)

• A SUBE is a business enterprise which has its principal office (headquarters) located physically in the Local Contracting Market and whose highest executive officers & highest-level managers maintain their offices & perform their respective executive managerial functions & duties in the Local Contracting Market; and
• Has established sustainability goals for itself and is a member of or signatory to a nationally recognized sustainability program, which goals and program have been determined acceptable by the City Chief of Sustainability or other officer designated by the Mayor. The currently recognized sustainable program is: Green Plus

Definition of (Local Contracting Market)

• The geographic market area consists of Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, and Medina Counties, Ohio.
• With respect to growers or producers of FOOD ONLY, the geographic market area shall include: Erie, Huron, Richland, Ashland, Wayne, Holmes, Stark, Summit, Portage, and Tuscarawas Counties.

Definition of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Business Enterprise (LGBTBE)

A LGBTBE is a business enterprise owned, operated, and controlled by one (1) or more LGBT individuals who have fifty- one percent (51%) ownership. The one (1) or more LGBT individuals must have operational and managerial control, interest in capital, and earnings commensurate with the percentage of the LGBT individual ownership. To qualify as LGBTBE, the business enterprise shall be located and doing business in the Cleveland Contracting Market.