Small business owner

Opening opportunity for Connecticut's small businesses

The DAS Business Access Team provides state agencies with guidance and technical assistance to implement Connecticut's Small Business Enterprise (SBE) and Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Spending Allocation Goals Program.

Spending Allocation Goals are aspirational, statewide benchmarks intended to support planning and guide documented good faith efforts. Collectively, state and awarding agencies support these goals through their purchasing decisions by providing fair opportunities for certified small and minority-owned businesses to participate in state contracting.

Program Overview

The Spending Allocation Goals Program is based on three key concepts.

Certified Businesses

The program supports businesses certified through the DAS Small Business Certification Program. A certified Small Business Enterprise (SBE) is a Connecticut-based, independently owned and operated small business. A certified Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) is an SBE that also meets the program's minority ownership requirements.

Industry-Based Goals

Spending Allocation Goals are based on the Connecticut Contractor Database, which identifies businesses that are ready, willing, and able to participate in state contracting, including businesses certified through the DAS Small Business Certification Program.

Goals are organized into 96 three-digit North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) industry codes. Purchases should be associated with the code that best aligns with the supplier industry or market segment that would typically provide the primary product or service.

Agency Responsibilities

State and awarding agencies collectively support Connecticut's statewide Spending Allocation Goals through their purchasing decisions. Agencies contribute to the State's progress toward meeting these aspirational goals by:

  • Identifying the applicable Spending Allocation Goal.
  • Determining whether certified SBE and MBE businesses are available.
  • Documenting good faith efforts.

The goal is to create a consistent record of documented good faith efforts. Agencies should be able to show what they did to provide opportunity, even when the final award is made to a non-certified vendor.

Access the Implementation Guide  |  DAS Small Business Certification Program  |  Connecticut Contractor Database

Quarterly Reports

Agencies responsible for quarterly reporting should continue submitting reports according to the schedule below. A link to the updated FY27 quarterly report forms will be posted here before September 31. 

Important notice: When reporting purchases made from certified vendors, enter the vendor name exactly as it appears in the Connecticut Small Business Certification Directory.

Quarterly report due dates:

  • Q1 | Jul 1 - Sep 30 | Due October 31
  • Q2 | Oct 1 - Dec 31 | Due January 31
  • Q3 | Jan 1 - Mar 31 | Due April 30
  • Q4 | Apr 1 - Jun 30 | Due July 31

CHRO Contract Compliance Program

Contact: Business Access Program