Equal Opportunity/Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program
Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT)
Benefits of Certification as a DBE:
- FDOT has established a goal of 8.18% for the utilization of DBE contracts. This equates to roughly $112 million.
- FDOT encourages all prime contractors and consultants to use certified disadvantaged businesses.
- FDOT Arranges solicitations, times for the presentation of bids, quantities, specifications and delivery schedules in ways that facilitate DBE and other small business participation.
- FDOT Provides assistance in overcoming limitations such as inability to obtain bonding or financing.
- FDOT Provides technical and managerial assistance and other services in:
- Reading plans and specifications
- Identifying jobs comparable to the DBE's work specialties
- Preparing bid packages
- Scheduling
- Completing take off estimates
- Marketing
- Setting up books to track revenues and expenses
- Interpreting financial statements
- Completing applications for loans or bonding
- FDOT carries out information and communication programs on contracting procedures and specific contract opportunities. These information and communication programs may include, but are not limited to:
- Annually, the Department will provide all small businesses which have bid on contracts during the last fiscal year a summary on major policy manuals or important changes in contracting procedures
- The Department shall supply the same information to all firms applying for DBE certification
- The Department shall provide a summary of key DBE policies to persons responsible for contracting activities in the Departments Central Office and Districts
- The Department shall provide DBEs with job listings and listings of the potential prime bidders
- FDOT Implements a supportive services program to develop and improve immediate and long term business management, record-keeping and financial and accounting capabilities for DBEs and other small businesses.
- FDOT Provides services to help DBEs and other small businesses improve long term development, increase opportunities to participate in a variety of kinds of work, handle increasingly significant projects and achieve eventual self-sufficiency. These services may include but are not limited to:
- Providing semi-annual workshops for newly certified businesses to explain contracting and business processes
- Conducting conferences at least six (6) times a year in order to bring together DBEs, the Department and prime contractors
- Establishing a program to assist new and start-up firms, particularly in fields in which DBE participation is historically low
Minimum Requirements to become DBE Certified:
- Member of a socially and economically disadvantaged presumptive group (African American, Hispanic, Native American, Asian, All Women)
- 51% owned and controlled by the member
- Business must be a small business (does not exceed $22.41 million in gross annual receipts)
- Personal net worth less than $1.32 million
Related Information:
FDOT Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Plan
USDOT Code of Federal Regulations (Title 49 CFR Part 26)
Attention Minority Contractors! See where the money is going: