DBE Program
MISSION STATEMENT
To increase participation and ensure that small, disadvantaged, women, minority, owned businesses
are afforded an equal opportunity to compete in the City’s procurement process and help
businesses grow.
BUSINESS DIVERSITY PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
■ Increase awareness of Business Diversity Programs
■ Assist small, disadvantaged, women, minority, owned businesses grow
■ Provide networking and business development assistance
WHAT IS THE DBE PROGRAM?
The DBE Program was established by the federal government to ensure women-and-minority owned
businesses have the opportunity to participate in contracts financed in whole or in part by the U.S.
Department of Transportation (49 CFR Part 26)
DBE PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
■ To ensure nondiscrimination in the award and administration of DOT assisted contracts
■ To create a level playing field on which DBE’s can compete fairly for DOT assisted contracts
■ To ensure that the DBE Program is narrowly tailored in accordance with applicable law
■ To ensure that only firms that fully meet 49 CFR Part 26 eligibility standards are permitted to
participate as a DBE
■ To help eliminate barriers to the participation of DBE firms in DOT assisted contracts
■ To assist the development of firms that can compete successfully in the market place outside the
DBE Program
FOSTERING SMALL BUSINESS PARTICIPATION (49 CFR PART 26.39)
In 2012, a new element was added to the DBE Program intended to assist in leveling the playing field
for small businesses. It is considered a race and gender-neutral element of the Department’s DBE
Program.
CERTIFICATION ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
In order to become a certified DBE, a firm must be 51% or more owned and controlled by a socially
and economically disadvantaged individual within the meaning of DOT regulations. Additional DBE
certification criteria include:
■ Firm must be a for profit, small business meeting SBE size standards
■ Qualified owner(s) must have a personal net worth that does not exceed $1.32 million
■ Qualified owner(s) must be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.
APPLYING FOR DBE CERTIFICATION
You can find the DBE application at https://dot.ca.gov/programs/civil-rights/and click on the
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program link.
First time applicants for DBE certification must complete and submit the application and related
material to the certifying agency that is located closest to your business home office. Only submit
one application to one agency.
LIST OF CERTIFYING CUCP DBE/ACDBE AGENCIES
■ California Department of Transportation (DBE/ACDBE) (CALTRANS)
■ City of Fresno (DBE/ACDBE)
■ City of Los Angeles (DBE/ACDBE)
■ Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (DBE)
■ San Diego County Regional Airport Authority (ACDBE)
■ San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (DBE)
■ San Francisco International Airport (ACDBE)
■ San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (DBE/ACDBE)
■ San Mateo County Transit District/ Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board (DBE)
■ Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (DBE)
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: Is there a site visit required for DBE certification?
A: Yes.
Q: How long does it take to get certified?
A: The federal regulations allow 90 days to process a complete DBE application.
Q: What is the cost
for certification?
A: There is no cost associated with DBE certification.
Q: How long will my DBE certification last?
A: Your DBE certification does not expire. However, you are required to submit an Annual
Update Affidavit to ensure your firm continues to meet DBE Program standards.
A Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Liaison Officer is a designated individual responsible for administering, overseeing, and coordinating the implementation of an organization’s DBE program. The DBE Liaison Officer ensures compliance with federal, state, and local regulations related to DBE participation in transportation projects and other relevant contracts.
DBE Liaison Officer
Bernadette Gormley
Public Works Engineering Services
650 Merchant Street
Vacaville, CA 95688
Phone: (707) 449-5328
Email: Bernadette.Gormley@cityofvacaville.com