Hennepin County is committed to ensuring that SBE’s in our community have access to contracting and subcontracting opportunities in Hennepin County. The SBE Program is administered by the Purchasing and Contract Services Division. This program focuses on ensuring that small businesses including women and minority-owned businesses receive information regarding County contracting opportunities and encourages SBE’s to bid on projects.

If a County contract exceeds $100,000, an SBE goal may be set based on the opportunity for subcontracting and the availability of SBE's. Successful bidders must meet SBE subcontracting goals or demonstrate, through written documentation, that it made good faith efforts to meet the goal.  

Subcontractor Participation Form 

CERT Program

Only small businesses that are "certified" can be counted towards meeting the SBE goal. Are you a small business? Not sure how to become certified?

Hennepin County participates in a "one-stop shop" certification collaborative with the City of St. Paul and Ramsey County. With one application, you can be certified in three jurisdictions and gain access to business assistance information for their respective programs. Learn more about how to get certified by calling 651-266-8900 or through this link to the CERT Program.

Directories of Certified SBEs are available through the CERT Program web site. Contact the CERT Program to learn more.