A two person landscaping crew in Lauderhill, a drainage contractor in Pompano Beach and a small marketing shop in Plantation can all chase the same pool of work. Broward County's transportation surtax program, known as MAP Broward, is paying for roads, bridges, transit and traffic technology across the county for decades, and a set share of that work is meant to go to certified local small firms.
The county's Office of Economic and Small Business Development MAP Broward page lays out the rule that matters most to owners: the Broward County Board of County Commissioners approved a 30% small business participation goal on eligible MAP Broward projects, and only firms certified as a County Business Enterprise, or CBE, can be used to meet it.
What MAP Broward Pays For
MAP Broward stands for the Mobility Advancement Program. According to the MAP Broward program site, it is the 30 year, project based plan for the 1% transportation sales surtax that voters approved in November 2018, known as the Penny for Transportation. Project types include road and bridge improvements, congestion management, pedestrian and bicycle facilities, transit service and capital investments, fiber optic network buildout and traffic signal timing.
The county projects that the surtax will collect $355 million a year until 2049. The county small business office describes MAP Broward as funding $16 billion in transportation infrastructure improvements, and it is now briefing firms on surtax funded solicitations planned for fiscal year 2027.
Why the 30% Goal Matters
Economic development and benefits are one of MAP Broward's five goals, according to the county. Firms from anywhere in the country can work on MAP Broward projects, but the 30% goal can only be met with CBE certified firms. In practice, prime contractors bidding on eligible projects need certified subcontractors and subconsultants on their teams, which gives a certified small firm something a prime is looking for.
Trades That Show Up on MAP Projects
The county lists common industries among CBE firms working on MAP Broward projects:
- Roadway construction, concrete and asphalt
- Engineering and surveying
- Drainage and landscaping
- Furnishing and hauling material
- Electrical work and bus shelter installation
- Communications and marketing
The last item is worth a second look. Transportation programs need outreach, public information and marketing support, so the opportunity is not limited to firms with heavy equipment.
Where the Work Comes From
The MAP Broward program site lists the long range goals the surtax is meant to deliver, and each one hints at the kinds of contracts that follow. They include closing gaps in roads, sidewalks and bike lanes, building out the fiber optic network, synchronizing traffic lights, installing and evaluating adaptive traffic control systems, and studying, designing and delivering intersection improvements.
On the transit side, the goals include premium investments such as bus rapid transit and light rail, capital and operating costs for municipal community shuttles, low and no emission vehicles, better amenities on fixed route service, and safety and accessibility upgrades. The plan also commits to engaging the public about how surtax funds are used, which is one reason communications and marketing firms appear on the county's list of participating trades.
How Primes and Certified Subs Fit Together
The county's combined certification application explains the basic structure. CBE certification lets a business take part in eligible county contracts as a certified subcontractor, and prime contractors are constantly looking for CBE firms to meet their participation goals. The county also notes that some contracts may be reserved for CBEs when deemed appropriate, which gives certified firms a chance to gain experience as primes.
The MAP Broward page features one certified firm, Arehna Engineering, a geotechnical engineering company that started in 2009 with two people. In a statement on the county page, the firm says it grew to more than 40 engineers and technicians and credits its CBE designation with opening its first networking opportunities. The firm also notes that the office monitors projects to confirm that primes actually use the certified firms they committed to.
Who Qualifies for CBE Certification
The county's Local Certification Programs page sets out the CBE eligibility rules. The business must be independent, and each owner's personal net worth must be under $1.32 million. The firm needs a Broward Business Tax Receipt, a city tax receipt and a physical address inside Broward County. A P.O. box, a business service center address or a virtual office does not count.
The business must be established for one year before applying, and the office conducts a site visit. Average gross revenues, calculated over the previous three calendar years, must stay under $9 million for construction services and $5 million for contractual services. Commodity suppliers have no revenue limit but must have 25 or fewer full time employees. Firms in business less than three years can average over the years since they opened.
The Smaller Door: SBE Reserves
The same page describes a second program for the smallest firms. Under the Small Business Enterprise reserve, county projects valued at $250,000 or less can be 100% reserved for certified SBEs. SBE limits are tighter: 15 or fewer permanent full time employees and average gross revenues under $3 million for construction services, $1 million for contractual services and $500,000 for professional consultants. One combined application covers both CBE and SBE review.
How to Apply and Find Bids
Since Jan. 26, 2026, certification applications and renewals go through the county's new Business Management System, where firms set up a vendor profile. After applying, the county says the next step is registering as a vendor in BPRO, its electronic procurement system, which is free and shows current county solicitations. Firms aiming at fiscal year 2027 work have reason to start that process early.
The MAP Broward page also links to current and upcoming MAP bids from the county and its 29 participating municipalities. The office's free introduction to MAP Broward project opportunities is set for Monday, Nov. 2, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Broward Government Center West in Plantation.
Owner To Do List
- Gather three years of federal tax returns, your Broward Business Tax Receipt and your city tax receipt before starting the application.
- Confirm your office address meets the physical location rule; a virtual office will not pass the site visit.
- Apply for CBE, SBE or both through the Business Management System, then register in BPRO.
- Watch the MAP Broward bid listings for your trade and reach out to primes that bid on eligible projects.
- Questions about the program go to the Office of Economic and Small Business Development at 954 357 6400.
For a side by side look at local programs, read the SBE certification comparison for Broward, Miami Dade and Palm Beach. Firms also selling to Miami Dade can review the Miami Dade vendor boot camp guide, and owners weighing local funding can see the Broward small business grants primer.
Sources
- Broward County OESBD, MAP Broward small business opportunities
- Broward County OESBD, Local Certification Programs (SBE and CBE eligibility)
- MAP Broward, About the Broward County Transportation Surtax
- Broward County OESBD, Introduction to MAP Broward Project Opportunities
Related
- SBE Certification in Broward, Miami Dade and Palm Beach Compared
- Miami Dade Vendor Boot Camp
- Broward Small Business Grants Primer
Key Facts for Owners and Search
What is the MAP Broward small business goal?
The Broward County Board of County Commissioners approved a 30% small business participation goal on eligible MAP Broward projects. Firms from anywhere can work on these projects, but only businesses certified as a County Business Enterprise, or CBE, with the county's Office of Economic and Small Business Development can be counted toward meeting that goal on a contract.
How big is the MAP Broward program?
MAP Broward carries out the 1% transportation sales surtax Broward voters approved in November 2018. The county projects collections of $355 million a year until 2049, and its small business office describes the program as funding $16 billion in transportation infrastructure improvements, including roads, bridges, transit, traffic technology and pedestrian and bicycle projects.
Who can get CBE certified in Broward County?
An independent, for profit firm with a physical Broward address, county and city tax receipts and at least one year in business can apply. Each owner's personal net worth must be under $1.32 million. Average gross revenues must stay under $9 million for construction and $5 million for contractual services, and the office conducts a site visit.
What kinds of businesses work on MAP Broward projects?
The county lists roadway construction, engineering, surveying, concrete and asphalt, drainage, landscaping, furnishing and hauling material, electrical work, bus shelter installation, and communications and marketing among common CBE trades on MAP Broward projects. That means service firms such as marketing and outreach shops can compete alongside construction and engineering contractors for a share of the work.
How does a small firm apply and find MAP bids?
Since Jan. 26, 2026, Broward certification applications go through the county Business Management System, followed by free vendor registration in BPRO, the county procurement system. BPRO is free to join and lists current county solicitations. The MAP Broward page links to current and upcoming bids from the county and its 29 participating municipalities.
