Disadvantage Business Enterprise

Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) are for-profit businesses that performs or seeks to perform transportation related work (or a concession activity) for a recipient of Federal Transit Administration, Federal Highway Administration, or Federal Aviation Administration Funds. A DBE is a for-profit small business concern that is at least 51 percent owned and controlled by one or more socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. One or more such individuals must also control the management and daily business operations. These individuals must be citizens (or lawfully admitted permanent residents) of the United States and (1) any individual who a recipient finds to be a socially and economically disadvantaged individual on a case-by-case basis, or (2) who are either African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, Asian-Pacific Americans, Subcontinent Asian Americans, (persons whose origin are from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives Islands, Nepal or Sri Lanka), Women, or any other group found to be socially and economically disadvantaged by the Small Business Administration (See 49 CFR 26).

Public Agencies are to ensure that DBE’s as defined in 49CFR 26, have an equal opportunity to receive and participate in Department of Transportation (DOT) assisted contracts. The DBE program is intended to ensure a level playing field and foster equal opportunity in federal-aid contracts. For additional DBE information, please call (530) 542-6030.

DBE Informational Documents

How To Apply for DBE Certification:

State of California, Department of Transportation, Caltrans            

Caltrans:  Become Certified

DBE Certified Firm Search

DBE Search Here