How the Program Works

Among other things, the DOT DBE regulations require recipients of DOT Federal financial assistance, namely state agencies, to establish goals for the participation of disadvantaged entrepreneurs and certify the eligibility of DBE firms to participate in their DOT assisted contracts.

Each DOT assisted State transportation agency is required to established narrowly tailored DBE goals. Then these DOT assisted agencies evaluate their DOT assisted contracts throughout the year and establish contract specific DBE subcontracting goals where these goals are needed to ensure nondiscrimination in federally assisted procurements.

The level of DBE subcontracting goals may vary from their approved DBE goal however, at the end of the year the amount of contract/subcontract awards to DBEs should be consistent with the overall goal.