Resources
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE)
The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise or DBE program of the US DOT was created by Congress to level the playing field and provide small businesses with a fair chance to compete for US DOT assisted contracts. A DBE is a for-profit small business concern that is at least 51 percent owned, controlled and operated by socially and economically disadvantaged persons.
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) operates a race and gender neutral DBE program. Race neutrality means that DBE contract goals are not set on projects. Without these contract goals, the program is entirely voluntary. However, Prime Contractors are expected to use DBEs and other small businesses as much and as often as possible on FHWA funded projects.
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Florida Division firmly believes that the success of a race neutral DBE program depends upon collaborative partnerships between FHWA, FDOT, Prime Contractors, DBEs, industry associations and the public. The Division is committed to assisting its partners with the delivery of a strong and compliant DBE program and to the goal of seeing each DBE eventually graduate as Primes actively working on federal-aid contracts. Please join us in these efforts:
- Talk about the program! Encourage minority businesses to apply for DBE certification.
- Use FDOT’s supportive services program and its professional services consultant, Blackmon Roberts Group (BRG) to obtain certification assistance; build lists of qualified DBEs; arrange matchmaking and other outreach events; and provide training and other advice to DBEs on business development and bonding.
- Request training or other information from FDOT and FHWA. We can assist with providing speakers for your local agency, community group or civic organization and can assist you with development of your own DBE outreach event.
- Report Fraud! Misuse of the DBE program violates the CFR and falsely obtaining DBE certification or credit is a crime. If you believe a Prime, DBE or any other entity is engaged in wrongful program activity, report it to FHWA, FDOT's Office of Inspector General, or the US DOT's Fraud Hotline.
- Tell us about your experience. If you have comments about the program or suggestions for improvement, we want to hear them. You can contact FHWA Civil Rights Coordinator Carey Shepherd at 850-942-9650 or carey.shepherd@dot.gov
Or you can visit the following links for additional information:
Florida Dept. of Transportation: http://www.dot.state.fl.us/equalopportunityoffice/
Federal Highway Administration: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/civilrights/index.htm