1. Doing Business in the District of
Columbia
Presented to the Washington DC Economic Partnership
July 11, 2012
Harold Pettigrew
Director

2. A Developing City
Source: Washington, DC Economic Partnership
Washington DC Economic Partnership
Doing Business 2.0
July 11, 2012 www.DSLBD.dc.gov 2

3. A Developing City
Source: Washington, DC Economic Partnership
Washington DC Economic Partnership
Doing Business 2.0
July 11, 2012 www.DSLBD.dc.gov 3

4. A Business City
Washington DC Economic Partnership
Doing Business 2.0
July 11, 2012 www.DSLBD.dc.gov 4

5. Agency Mission and Vision
The Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD)
supports the development, economic growth, and retention of District-
based businesses, and promotes economic development throughout the
District’s commercial districts.
Washington DC Economic Partnership
Doing Business 2.0
July 11, 2012 www.DSLBD.dc.gov 5

6. Business Opportunities
Washington DC Economic Partnership
Doing Business 2.0
July 11, 2012 www.DSLBD.dc.gov 6

7. Doing Business in the District
Business Registration Process
A
Corporate Registration (DCRA)
B
Tax Registration (OTR)
Business License (DCRA)
C
D
Certified Business Enterprise (CBE) Registration
Washington DC Economic Partnership
Doing Business 2.0
July 11, 2012 www.DSLBD.dc.gov

8. CBE Program
Business Certification
PERCENT OF CERTIFIED BUSINESS
 The Business Certification Program ENTERPRISES BY WARD*
evaluates businesses headquartered
in the District to determine Ward 4
eligibility to become a Certified 12%
Business Enterprise (CBE).
Ward 3
 The DC Government directs 7% Ward 1 Ward 5
spending to CBEs, which in turn, 6% 17%
supports and contributes to job
creation and the city tax base, Ward 2
31%
strengthening the local economy. Ward 6
Ward 7
7%
11%
 The CBE Program provides
contracting preference for local
businesses so they can better Ward 8
compete in contract and 9%
procurement opportunities with DC
Government.
Washington DC Economic Partnership
Doing Business 2.0
July 11, 2012 www.DSLBD.dc.gov 8

9. CBE Program
Businesses may be certified in any of the following categories; however, only a maximum of
12 points that can be applied toward any contract award. In evaluating requests for bids
(RFB), contracting personnel apply a percentage reduction in price according to CBE
designation. In evaluating requests for proposals (RFP), contracting personnel apply points to
proposal evaluations according to CBE designation. DSLBD also certifies joint ventures, and
vendors in the CBE Certification Program.
% of CBEs
Certification Categories Preference # of CBEs w/ Category
(as of 8/19/2011) (as of 8/19/2011)
Local Business Enterprise (LBE) 2 1214 100%
Small Business Enterprise (SBE) 3 1133 93%
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) 2 658 54%
Resident Owned Business (ROB) 5 607 50%
Development Zone Enterprise (DZE) 2 705 58%
Longtime Resident Business (LRB) 10 94 8%
Veteran Owned Business (VOB) 2 23 2%
Local Manufacturing Business LMB) 2 0 0%
Washington DC Economic Partnership
Doing Business 2.0
July 11, 2012 www.DSLBD.dc.gov 9

10. CBE Program
Business Certification Process
Washington DC Economic Partnership
Doing Business 2.0
July 11, 2012 www.DSLBD.dc.gov 10

11. Business Assistance
In April 2011, the first Small Business Resource Center (SBRC) was launched at the
Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs to assist District-based small businesses
with navigating the District’s regulatory environment.
More SBRC’s will be launched through DSLBD to expand business assistance services and
programs offered throughout the city.
http://bizdc.ecenterdirect.com/
Washington DC Economic Partnership
Doing Business 2.0
July 11, 2012 www.DSLBD.dc.gov 11

12. Questions & Answers
For more information about DSLBD Programs and Services, please
visit us at:
Web: www.dslbd.dc.gov/
SBRC: http://bizdc.ecenterdirect.com/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bizDC
Twitter: www.twitter.com/bizDC or @bizDC
Flickr: www.flickr.com/photos/bizDC
Washington DC Economic Partnership
Doing Business 2.0
July 11, 2012 www.DSLBD.dc.gov 12