The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program is a Federal program designed to remedy ongoing discrimination and the continuing effects of past discrimination in federally-assisted highway, transit and airport 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.

NVTC has developed and implemented a DBE program and overall agency goal that conforms to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) standards set forth in 49 CFR Part 26. The overall agency goal is updated on a triennial basis.

PUBLIC NOTICE: Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Triennial Goal For FFY 2024– FFY 2026

The objectives of NVTC’s DBE program are:

• To ensure nondiscrimination in the award and administration of DOT-assisted contracts;
• To ensure that only firms fully meeting the eligibility requirements of the DBE program are permitted to participate as DBEs;
• To help create a level playing field on which DBEs can fairly compete for DOT-assisted contracts;
• To help remove barriers to the participation of DBEs in DOT-assisted contracts;
• To promote the use of DBEs in all types of federally-assisted contracts and procurement activities conducted by NVTC and its subrecipients;
• To assist in the development of firms that can compete successfully in the marketplace outside of the DBE program; and
• To ensure that the DBE program is narrowly tailored in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws;

These objectives will be implemented through NVTC’s DBE program utilizing race-neutral measures to the maximum extent feasible.

Small businesses interested in participating in DOT-assisted contracts with NVTC under the DBE program must be Virginia DBE certified. More information regarding the certification process for the Commonwealth of Virginia can be found by visiting the Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity.