Spending Allocation Goals are statewide benchmarks based on the availability of certified Small Business Enterprises (SBEs) and Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) within specific industries. The goals are organized into 96 three-digit North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) industry categories and are based on the Connecticut Contractor Database, which identifies businesses that are ready, willing, and able to participate in state contracting. State agencies collectively support these statewide goals by identifying the applicable Spending Allocation Goal for a purchase, considering whether certified businesses are available, documenting good faith efforts, and completing required reporting.

The DAS Small Business Certification Program certifies eligible companies as Small Business Enterprise (SBE) and Minority Business Enterprise (MBE). To qualify as an SBE, a business must be Connecticut-based, independently owned and operated, and registered as a small business with the federal government. An SBE owned by one or more individuals with minority status may also qualify as an MBE.

No. Spending Allocation Goals are established and measured statewide. Each agency's purchasing decisions contribute to the State's progress toward those statewide goals.

Goals are based on the Connecticut Contractor Database. Businesses identified as ready, willing, and able to participate in state contracting are organized into 96 three-digit NAICS industry categories. The market share of certified SBEs and MBEs within each category becomes the corresponding statewide Spending Allocation Goal.

Current Spending Allocation Goals are available through the SBE and MBE Spending Allocation Goal Search Tool on the Connecticut Open Data Portal.

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) classifies businesses by the type of economic activity they perform. Spending Allocation Goals are organized using 96 three-digit NAICS categories.

Begin by identifying the account code that best represents the primary purpose of the purchase. Use the Spending Allocation Goal Search Tool to locate the mapped three-digit NAICS code and the corresponding Spending Allocation Goals. If needed, review the NAICS categories directly and select the industry that would typically provide the primary product or service.

Select the NAICS category that best represents the primary purpose of the purchase.

Use the Small Business Certification Directory to identify certified Small Business Enterprises (SBEs) and Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs).

No. Agencies are expected to provide certified businesses with an opportunity to participate when appropriate and document their good faith efforts. The program does not require that a purchase be awarded to a certified business.

Good faith efforts are the reasonable steps taken to identify and consider certified businesses, provide fair access to purchasing opportunities when appropriate, and retain documentation supporting those efforts.

Each agency may establish its own documentation process. Documentation should be completed at or near the time of purchase and include:

• The relevant NAICS code and corresponding SBE and MBE goals.
• Steps taken to identify and consider certified businesses.
• If certified businesses were available but were not included, explain why.

Agencies responsible for quarterly reporting should follow the established reporting process and due dates. When reporting purchases from certified businesses, enter the vendor name exactly as it appears in the Small Business Certification Directory to ensure accurate reporting.

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