Alameda County SLEB Program

The program summary on this page was last updated on 02/02/2023. If any of the information or links are out-of-date, please contact us.

Certain businesses fitting the specified criteria may be certified by the Small, Local and Emerging Business (SLEB) program of Alameda County. Certified companies can then receive bid preferences on county contracts of up to 10 percent, more easily become involved in public procurements, and receive access to training, networking, and other business development events. Additionally, non-SLEB bidders are required to meet a 20 percent SLEB subcontracting goal on procurements exceeding $25,000. Applying for the certification is free and certification can usually take up to 45 days. Certification is valid for a period for one to three years, depending on various factors.

Does this certification expire? Depending on a number of factors, businesses may be certified for one to three years or in conjunction with a contract term that they are participating in. Businesses can be certified as Emerging for a maximum of 5 years and then may be certified as a Small business if required criteria are met. Renewal notices will be sent prior to the expiry of the certification.

Does this program require bidders attempt to make a good-faith effort to meet participation goals? Businesses not meeting the definition of a SLEB are required to subcontract a minimum of 20 percent of the contract award to a certified SLEB in order to be eligible for contract award.

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