BN Daily E-Journal

“Pursuant to Federal regulations, to participate in our program, qualifying firms must first be certified as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) by the Caltrans Civil Rights Program. (916) 324-1700 or toll free at (866) 810-6346.

Only small business concerns as defined by the United States Small Business Administration which are owned and controlled by one or more socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, can be certified as a DBE.

Owned and controlled means:

At least 51 percent of the small business concern is owned by one or more socially and economically disadvantaged individuals; and
Whose management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more of the socially and economically disadvantaged individuals who own it.
Only existing for-profit “Small Business Concerns,” as defined by the Small Business Act and Small Business Administration (SBA) regulations may be certified. DBE applicants are first subject to the applicable small business size standards of the SBA. Second, the average annual gross receipts for the firm (including its affiliates) over the previous three fiscal years must not exceed
U.S. DOT’s cap of $19.57 million.
The Personal Net Worth (PNW) of each socially and economically disadvantaged owner must not exceed $750,000, excluding the individual’s ownership interest in the applicant firm and the equity in his/her primary residence.
In order to avoid unnecessary delays, please complete all portions of the Application and the attached Personal Net Worth Statement/Affidavit. Indicate non-applicable items by using “N/A”. Copies of documents requested in the questionnaire are required and must be submitted. Additional documentation may be requested if it is considered necessary to make a certification determination. Incomplete applications, or any without the required documents, will not be evaluated until such documents are submitted.

REMEMBER: It is no longer necessary to apply at more than one agency. If your firm meets the criteria for certification, it will be entered into the Database of DBEs for all U.S. DOT grantees in California. Only firms currently certified as eligible DBEs may participate in the DBE programs of U.S. DOT grantees of California.” – Article taken from Caltrans website.