Guidance For DBE Program Administrators
Overview
Helpful information and guidance for DBE Program Administrators as they implement and manage their DBE program including application and reporting forms, questions and answers, information on goal setting, and regulatory and legislative issuances.
Current Regulations and DBE Program Reauthorization Provisions
- eCFR link to current 49 CFR 23 — Participation of Disadvantaged Business Enterprise in Airport Concessions
- eCFR link to current 49 CFR 26 — Participation by Disadvantaged Business Enterprise in Department of Transportation Federal Financial Assistance Programs
- DBE Program Reauthorization Provision
- NEW DBE Uniform Report
Program Guidance
The following questions and answers are approved by the the Department of Transportation's General Counsel as consistent with the language and intent of the Regulation. These questions and answers therefore represent the institutional position of the Department of Transportation and provide guidance and information for compliance with the regulation provisions. Like all guidance material, these questions and answers are not, in themselves, legally binding or mandatory, and do not constitute regulations. They are issued to provide an acceptable means, but not the only means, of compliance with the Regulation. While these questions and answers are not mandatory, they are derived from extensive DOT, recipient, and contractor experience and input concerning the determination of compliance with Parts 23 and 26.
- Official Q&As on DBE Program Regulations (49 CFR 23)
- Official Q&As on DBE Program Regulation (49 CFR 26)
- Western States Paving Company v. Washington State Department of Transportation
- Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Joint Venture Guidance
- Tips for Goal-Setting in the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program
- 10 Tips for DOT recipients on preparing DBE programs and overall goals
- Sample DBE Program
Regulatory/Legislative Issuances
- US DOT Published Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program – (September 06, 2012)
- Final rule which requires greater accountability from state and local transportation agencies as well as adjusts the personal net worth limit for DBE owners – (January 19, 2011)
- Proposed Rules - Business Enterprise: Program Improvements , 25815–25828 [2010–10968] - (May 10, 2010)
- Final rule which allows the establishment of Part 26 DBE goals every 3 years rather than annually - (Feb 3, 2010)
- Proposed rule dropping the Part 23 sunset provision, substituting it with a periodic program review, and calling for suggestions for modifications to Part 23 (Feb 3, 2010)
- New DBE and ACDBE size limits as adjusted for inflation - Federal Register Notice - (April 3, 2009)