The U.S. Department of Transportation Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program aims to increase women and minority participation in highway, transit and Airport construction contracts.
The program is a goal-setting program, not a quota; DBE rules explicitly prohibit the use of quotas. The goal is a national participation rate of 10 percent, but highway aid grant recipients set their own goals for participation based on the number of DBEs in their local market. Recipients are not required to set their goal at 10 percent or any other level.
The DBE Program enhances the economy by promoting the formation of small businesses, creating new jobs, and developing economic growth for women. It is administrated by Departments of Transportation and airport authorities in all 50 states and U.S. territories. The DBE Program was initially authorized by Congress in 1983, and women were included in 1987. Congress has reauthorized the program for the past three decades.
During that time, DBE has proven to be an equal opportunity program that benefits all Americans by promoting the development and competitiveness of America’s small businesses. In fact, DBE is the most successful small business-contracting program for women.
Even while the program has made great strides for female contractors, they still have a long way to go. Non-DBEs still receive 89 percent of highway funding and 99 percent of all prime highway contracts. Women-owned small businesses continue to be underrepresented in the highway construction industry. Strong, viable, and qualified women contractors need the DBE Program just to open doors for fair and equal competition.
DBE Program Highlights:
- Created a level playing field for disadvantaged businesses in the highway, transit, and airport industries
- Created thousands of jobs
- Encouraged business growth on a national basis
- Provided equal opportunity to a diverse group of US citizens working hard to achieve the American Dream
