What Is SLBE Certification?

The Local Business Enterprise / Small Local Business Enterprise (LBE/SLBE) program certifies locally-owned small businesses for preferred participation on publicly-funded contracts. Calichi holds active SLBE certification with four agencies: the City of Oakland, Alameda County, Oakland Unified School District (OUSD), and the Port of Oakland. The City of Oakland program is established under Municipal Code Chapter 2.28 and Ordinance 13814 C.M.S. (amended January 2025), administered by the Department of Workplace & Employment Standards (DWES).

Certification is granted to firms that are headquartered in Oakland, independently operated, and meet SBA small-business size standards for their NAICS codes. Certified firms are listed in Oakland's active vendor registry — searchable and verifiable by general contractors and public agencies at any time.

When SLBE Requirements Apply

Oakland sets two separate participation goals on eligible publicly-funded contracts: a 50% LBE (Local Business Enterprise) goal and a 25% SLBE (Small Local Business Enterprise) goal. Both apply simultaneously. The requirements are standard on:

• Construction contracts valued at $100,000 or more
• Professional services contracts valued at $50,000 or more
• Contracts funded through Oakland redevelopment, CDBG, HOME, or other city-administered programs
• Projects where the City of Oakland is the lead agency or a funding source

The goals apply to the total contract value. A general contractor must show that at least 50% goes to Oakland-based LBE firms — and within that, at least 25% to certified SLBE firms. Calichi satisfies both goals simultaneously: as an Oakland-based SLBE, our participation counts toward the LBE goal and the SLBE goal. Below-threshold contracts may still carry local hiring requirements under separate City policies.

Bid Preference Discounts

Oakland's L/SLBE program creates a direct financial incentive for general contractors to include certified subcontractors. Participation discounts are applied to the GC's evaluated bid price — a lower effective price can decide a competitive public contract award.

Who We Work With

Two types of project teams typically need an SLBE civil engineering firm on their Oakland work:

What We Do

Calichi delivers a full range of site civil engineering and dry utility design services under our SLBE certification:

We operate from our Oakland headquarters and have been submitting plans to Oakland Public Works, Planning & Building, and DSRSD since 2010. We know the plan check process, the standard conditions, and how to keep permit timelines on track.

Certification Process & Validity

SLBE certification is issued by Oakland DWES following an application, documentation review, and — for first-time applicants — a site visit to verify Oakland operations. Typical timeline is 4–6 weeks from a complete application. Key details:

• Certification is valid for 2 years from the date of approval
• Annual compliance filings are required to maintain active status
• Renewal requires updated documentation; follow-up site review may apply
• Certification is tied to the NAICS codes declared at application
• Certified firms are listed in Oakland's publicly-searchable L/SLBE vendor database

Calichi Design Group holds an active, current SLBE certification under NAICS 541330 (Engineering Services), 541340 (Drafting Services), and 541690 (Technical Consulting). If you need to verify our certification status for a bid package, we can provide documentation within one business day.

SAM.gov Federal Registration

The System for Award Management (SAM.gov) is the federal government's official database for entities doing business with the U.S. government. SAM.gov registration is required to bid on federal contracts, receive federal grants, and participate in federally funded projects — including many infrastructure, transportation, and housing programs that flow through state and local agencies.

When registration is complete, this page will be updated with our UEI number and active status. If you have an immediate need for a SAM.gov-registered civil engineering firm, contact us and we can confirm our current status.