Get Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Programs-the Legal LandscapeA Brief Outline

The Department has two different types of minority programs. One is the Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) program, which applies to all state agencies and is administered by the Office of Supplier Diversity. The other is the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program.

A Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB) is a small business that is at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. SDB status makes a company eligible for bidding and contracting benefit programs involved with federal procurement.

Applying For DBE Certification Ownership - The firm must be at least 51% owned by a socially and economically disadvantaged person(s). Business Size - The firm (including its affiliates) must be a small business as defined by SBA standards.

DBEs are for-profit small business concerns where socially and economically disadvantaged individuals own at least a 51% interest and also control management and daily business operations.

Caltrans is committed to an overall FHWA Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) goal of 22.2 percent on its federal-funded projects based upon a race-neutral and race-conscious methodology.

DBEs are for-profit small business concerns where socially and economically disadvantaged individuals own at least a 51% interest and also control management and daily business operations.

Program eligibility The firm must be 51% or more owned and controlled by one or more disadvantaged persons. The disadvantaged person or persons must be socially disadvantaged and economically disadvantaged. The firm must be small, ing to SBA's size standards.

The Department's Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program is designed to remedy ongoing discrimination and the continuing effects of past discrimination in federally-assisted highway, transit, airport, and highway safety financial assistance transportation contracting markets nationwide.