| Vermont Agency of
Transportation
The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program is
federally funded by the United States Department of
Transportation (U.S. DOT) and administered in Vermont by the
Agency of Transportation (VTrans). The purpose of the
program is to encourage and support participation of companies
owned and controlled by women and minorities in transportation
contracts. To participate in federally aided contracts
under the requirements of the DBE program, businesses must first
be certified by VTrans.
What is a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE)?
DBE means a for-profit small business concern which is at
least 51 percent owned and controlled by individuals who are
both socially and economically disadvantaged. Businesses
in the DBE program provide a wide range of products and services
from bridge and highway construction to engineering, aerial
photography, automated mapping, environmental consulting,
landscape design, and transportation planning.
The term refers to:
- A citizen (or lawfully admitted permanent resident) of the
United States who is a member of any of the following
groups: Black Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native
Americans, Asian-Pacific Americans, Subcontinent Asian
Americans, Women, and any additional groups whose members
are designated as socially and economically disadvantaged by
the Small Business Administration (SBA).
- Any individual who is found to be a socially and
economically disadvantaged individual on a cas-by-case
basis.
- The individual's personal net worth (assets minus
liabilities) must not exceed $750,000, excluding ownership
interest in the DBE firm or the equity in his or her primary
place of residence. Personal net worth includes only
his or her own share of assets held jointly or as a
community property with the individual's spouse.
What are the advantages of being certified?
DBE Directory: Your firm will be listed in the
DBE Directory, published and mailed quarterly and also available
in a searchable format on our website. Distributed
throughout the State and region, the Directory is included in
all Agency bid proposals and receives wide distribution.
Government contracts: In 2002, women- and
minority-owned business in the DBE Program accounted for almost
13 percent of all federally funded prime contracts and
subcontracts awarded by VTrans: approximately $7.5 million
in work for minority-owned buisnesses, and $5.5 million for
women-owned businesses.
Business assistance & education: VTrans
maintains a dynamic resource and referral network to help you
improve your business. Certified businesses are eligible
for a wide variety of technical assistance.
Reciprocity with other certification programs:
Once you are certified with VTrans, you may easily gain
certification to SBA programs and may be eligible for reciprocal
certification in other states.
How do I get my business certified? Download an
application
for certification from our website or contact our office.
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