Resource Guide for Chittenden County Employers & Employees - Government Contracting

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 case-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 businesses, 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.

For Vermont companies with an interest in selling to the government, VT PTAC is where to begin. VT PTAC provides the in-depth understanding of complex documentation and uniquely defined product specifications that most businesses lack. Combined with a proactive involvement in seeking appropriate opportunities for each business, based on their unique and exclusive attributes, a relationship with VT PTAC is one of the most beneficial associations any business can forge. Plus, VT PTAC is funded by the federal government and by the State of Vermont, so these services are all completely free of charge.

HUB Zone
An SBA program that encourages economic development in "Historically Underutilized Business Zones" by giving preference in the government contracting process to small businesses located in these areas.  The Renewal Community of Burlington (including the downtown area and the Old North End) is an eligible HUB Zone.  Eligible businesses can register onine and are listed on  PRO-Net.  Assistance with the applicaiton process is availalbe through the Monpelier office.