RAMP certification.
A complete guide.

What RAMP is, what it isn't

RAMP is the City of Los Angeles's certification system for small, local, and disadvantaged business enterprises. It consolidates what used to be a fragmented set of LA-area certifications into a single platform that issues credentials recognized by City of LA, LA County, LA Metro (LACMTA), Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), the Port of Los Angeles, LAUSD, and several smaller LA-area agencies.

RAMP is not a replacement for state-level DVBE certification (which is issued by the California Department of General Services through Cal eProcure) or federal SDVOSB certification (issued by the SBA through VetCert). A firm that wants to bid LA-area public works needs both RAMP and the state/federal certifications that match the contract type.

The practical upshot: RAMP is the LA layer of a three-layer cert stack. Cal eProcure handles the state. VetCert handles federal. RAMP handles LA. Each layer is independent.

RAMP classifications, decoded

The 7-step RAMP certification process

1. Confirm eligibility. Before applying, confirm your firm meets the basic RAMP eligibility criteria: at least 51% ownership and control by qualifying individuals, an active California business license, and a physical place of business in LA County (for local certifications). Most RAMP classifications also have size standards based on annual revenue or employee count tied to NAICS code.
2. Register on the RAMP portal. Create a vendor account at the City of LA RAMP portal. The portal will be your application workspace, document repository, and post-certification communication channel. Use a primary owner email — not a generic info@ address.
3. Complete the business profile. Fill out the firm's legal structure, ownership percentages, NAICS code list, primary trades, year established, and prior-year revenue. Be precise — RAMP staff cross-reference this against tax returns and corporate filings.
4. Upload required documents. Compile and upload: three years of tax returns, three years of W-2s/W-3s, business license, formation documents, organizational chart, ownership documents, lease, and certifications affidavits. For veteran-owned classifications, add DD-214 and VA disability rating documentation.
5. Sign and submit affidavits. RAMP requires signed affidavits attesting to the accuracy of submitted information and acknowledging the certifying entity's right to audit and revoke certification for misrepresentation. Sign electronically through the portal.
6. Respond to RAMP review. After submission, expect 1-3 rounds of clarifying questions from RAMP review staff. Respond promptly and completely. Slow responses are the single biggest cause of delayed certifications. Most RAMP review questions are resolvable with one supplemental document upload.
7. Receive certification and add to bid packages. Once approved, RAMP issues a certification letter with an effective date and expiration date (typically two years). Update your firm profile in BAVN, on your website, and in any active bid packages. Certification is fully effective for contracts that close after the issue date.

Where RAMP-certified firms get used

RAMP-certified firms are sought by primes bidding any of the following:

• LAX modernization (LAWA) — ConRAC, Automated People Mover, terminal expansion programs all carry SBE participation goals.
• LA Metro (Measure M-funded transit) — DBE and SBE goals on every rail and BRT package.
• City of LA Bureau of Engineering — public buildings, parks, street infrastructure all carry SBE/EBE goals.
• LADWP — water and power capital programs use a small business preference structure overlapping with RAMP classifications.
• LAUSD — school construction with SBE participation requirements.
• LA County DPW — county public works with hybrid LACDPW/RAMP eligibility.
• Port of Los Angeles — terminal and infrastructure work.