The Department of Transportation’s (DOT) disadvantaged business enterprise (DBE) program is an affirmative action program designed to combat discrimination and its continuing effects by providing contracting opportunities on Federally-funded highway, transit, and airport projects for small businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. Over the years, the Department has met or exceeded the national aspirational goal established by Congress in the statutes authorizing the program since 1983 and has made continuous program improvements.
The Department’s 2014 final rule contains important improvements to the implementation and administration of the DBE program regulations. This fact sheet highlights the major changes.