DBEs are for-profit small business concerns where socially and economically disadvantaged individuals own at least a 51% interest and also control management and daily business operations.

African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, Asian-Pacific and Subcontinent Asian Americans, and women are presumed to be socially and economically disadvantaged.  Other individuals can also qualify as socially and economically disadvantaged on a case-by-case basis.

It is the policy of the BOCC to ensure that DBEs, as defined in Part 26 of TheBusDBE Program , have an equal opportunity to receive and participate in DOT- assisted contracts. The DBE goal established for Federal Fiscal Years 2024-2026 is 1% - Overall Goal Calculation. It is also our policy:

1. To ensure nondiscrimination in the award and administration of DOT - assisted contracts;
2. To create a level playing field on which DBEs can compete fairly for DOT - assisted contracts;
3.  To ensure that the DBE Program is narrowly tailored in accordance with applicable law;
4. To ensure that only firms that fully meet 49 CFR Part 26 eligibility standards are permitted to participate as DBEs;
5.  To help remove barriers to the participation of DBEs in DOT assisted contracts;
6.  To assist the development of firms that can compete successfully in the market place outside the DBE Program.

For more information on DBE and how to become a certified firm, please visit The Department of Transportation (DOT) Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program:
https://www.transportation.gov/civil-rights/disadvantaged-business-enterprise