The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program was created to provide a level playing field for small, minority- and women-owned companies wanting to do business with TxDOT and other agencies receiving federal funds from the U.S. Department of Transportation. Refer to the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Forms page for additional documents relating to the DBE Program.
You may apply for DBE certification using TxDOT's Diversity Management System.
Certification Overview
TxDOT is a member of the Texas Unified Certification Program (TUCP). The TUCP certifies DBEs for participation in Department of Transportation federal contracting projects across the State of Texas in compliance with Code of Federal Regulations (49 CFR Parts 26 and 23).
Businesses interested in becoming certified as a DBE must complete and submit an application through the TUCP. Upon approval, these companies can be used to meet the DBE goals established for federally-funded contracts. DBE is a federal program required by law.
The following are general eligibility requirements for DBE certification:
Note: Members of these groups are presumed disadvantaged:
DBE certified firms are automatically eligible for Small Business Enterprises (SBE) certification.
Annual Update
Certification is valid for three years from the date of initial certification. However, you must update your certification annually. TxDOT will notify you of upcoming annual updates and it is the firm’s responsibility to ensure that the information in the TUCP Directory is correct. Submit the DBE Annual Update Affidavit online at Diversity Management System.
Supportive Services
TxDOT is committed to assisting Disadvantaged Business Enterprises and Small Business Enterprises in their efforts to work with TxDOT and other state agencies. To this end, we provide the following training and additional outreach to serve Texas communities:
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
Federal Law mandates that all Local Governments or Entities that receive USDOT funds from non-conventionally let projects must sign an MOU with TxDOT allowing them to adopt TxDOT's federally approved DBE Program and comply with the Federal Regulations 49 CFR Part 26.
Rules and Regulations
For more information concerning certifcation and supportive services, please contact a program specialist at 512-486-5501.