Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program

Under federal regulation 49 CFR Part 26, the U.S. Department of Transportation Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program is designed to remedy ongoing discrimination and the continuing effects of past discrimination in federally assisted highway, transit, airport, and highway safety financial assistance transportation contracting markets nationwide. The primary remedial goal and objective of the DBE program is to level the playing field by providing small businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals a fair opportunity to compete for federally funded transportation contracts.

For more information, visit the U.S. Department of Transportation DBE page.

Definition of a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise

Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Goal
As recipients of financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Transportation, state and local transportation agencies:

Certifies the eligibility of DBE firms to participate in its DOT-assisted contracts
Establishes goals for the participation of disadvantaged entrepreneurs
Evaluates its DOT-assisted contracts throughout the year and establishes contract-specific DBE subcontracting goals as necessary
Ensures that the amount of contract/subcontract awards to DBEs is mostly consistent with the overall goal

Ride Gwinnett has established a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program in accordance with regulations of the U.S. Department of Transportation, 49 CFR Part 26. The goal for Disadvantaged Business Enterprise participation on contracts assisted by the Federal Transit Administration is 6.71% for fiscal year 2023 to 2025. Read the FY 2023-2025 DBE Goal (PDF).

Currently, Ride Gwinnett is developing the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise goals for fiscal year 2026 to 2028 and is seeking public comments.

Since 1983, there has been a statutory provision requiring DOT to ensure that at least 10% of the funds authorized for the highway and transit financial assistance programs be expended with Disadvantaged Business Enterprises. DOT has established a single DBE goal.