SBE/VSBE Program Background & Goals

The SBE/VSBE Program was established in October 2004, via an SBE Ordinance by the Board of Harbor Commissioners. The program was designed to ensure that small businesses have the opportunity to successfully participate in the Port’s contracts and procurements.

At the beginning of each fiscal year, the Board approves annual Port-wide SBE/VSBE goals recommended by Port staff. The SBE/VSBE goal for Fiscal Year 2012 is 25% combined SBE/VSBE participation, of which a minimum of 5% must be VSBE participation. Each Port bureau and division also sets contract-specific SBE/VSBE goals on applicable construction and consulting contracts, and bureau-wide or division-wide SBE/VSBE goals on procurements.

The Port tracks SBE/VSBE participation and submits an Annual Report to the Board at the end of each fiscal year. Since the Program’s inception, the Port has paid out nearly $80 million to small and very small businesses participating in the Program.

Proceed to How to Participate or How the Program Works.