FAQs
- What is a DBE?
DBE stands for Disadvantaged
Business Enterprises.
It is a Federal
certification
administered
by State DOT's
to minority owned
businesses. State
Department of
Transportation
Administrations
distribute substantial
funds each year
to finance construction
projects initiated
by state and
local governments,
and public transit
and airport agencies.
The Transportation
Equity Act for
the 21st Century
(TEA-21), enacted
June 9, 1998,
authorized the
Federal surface
transportation
programs for
highways, highway
safety, and transit
for the 6-year
period 1998-2003.
Section 1101(b)
of the act (Disadvantaged
Business Enterprises)
states except
to the extent
that the Secretary
determines otherwise,
not less than
10% of the amounts
made available
for any program
under Titles
I, III, and V
of this act shall
be expended with
small business
concerns owned
and controlled
by socially and
economically
disadvantaged
individuals.
The Department's
most recent surface
program reauthorization
- the Safe,
Accountable,
Flexible, Efficient
Transportation
Equity Act: A
Legacy for Users
(SAFETEA-LU),
enacted in 2005,
extended the
DBE program to
the Department's
highway and safety
research program.
Recipients of
DOT funds must
develop and implement
a DBE program
that conforms
to DOT standards
set forth in
49 CFR Part 23
(for airport
concessionaires)
and 49 CFR Part
26.
The integrity
of DOT's Disadvantaged
Business Enterprise
program depends to
a large extent upon
the establishment
of systematic procedures
to ensure that only
bona fide small disadvantaged
business firms are
certified to participate
in DOT federally
assisted programs.
The DOT Disadvantaged
Business Enterprise
Regulations 49 CFR
Part 23 and 49 CFR
Part 26 place primary
responsibility for
the certification
process upon State
Transportation Agencies,
which are tasked
with ensuring only
bona fide, small
firms, owned and
controlled by a socially
and economically
disadvantaged individual(s)
are certified.
- What
is the DBE Program?
The U.S. Department
of Transportation's
DBE (disadvantaged
business enterprise)
program provides
a vehicle for increasing
the participation
by MBEs in state
and local procurement.
DOT DBE regulations
require state and
local transportation
agencies that receive
DOT financial assistance,
to establish goals
for the participation
of DBEs. Each DOT-assisted
State and local transportation
agency is required
to establish annual
DBE goals, and review
the scopes of anticipated
large prime contracts
throughout the year
and establish contract-specific
DBE subcontracting
goals. Three major
DOT operating administrations
are involved in the
DBE program. They
are the Federal Highway
Administration, the
Federal Aviation
Administration and
the Federal Transit
Administration.
- What
if I am a WBE can
I join your association?
Yes. WBE's are
welcomed to attend
and participate in
full membership privileges
including women owned
businesses who wish
to become certified.
- What
if I am not certified
as a DBE but have
an interest in doing
business with DBE's?
Yes. You can join
as an Associate Member
as long as you are
willing to help promote
the mission of the
association.
- Are you
affiliated with the
Department of Transportation
DBE office?
We are not affiliated
with the office.
- What exactly does
a member receive
in member to member
discounts?
The discounts will
be member to member
and will vary from
time to time as offered.
There are no guarantees
either expressed
or written from Georgia
DBE Association,
Inc. as stated in
the membership application.
- How
many members do you
want?
There is no limit
as to how many members
we want.
- Is there
a limit on memberships?
We would love 5,000
members.
- How large
is the meeting space?
This will vary from
time to time depending
on each individual
events. Training
seminars will be
held in smaller groups
to facilitate a better
learning environment.
- Do you have to be
a member to have
a table at the monthly
networking event?
Yes. Only members
are allowed to have
a table. The cost
for the tables is
$250
- How can we help promote
the association and
work in our local
area?
We will have
a need for Regional
Representatives in
specific regions
throughout the State
that will provide
local support and
organization
