Civil Rights and Accessibility

Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program

Thank you for your interest in the Metropolitan Transportation Commission's Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program.

DBE Program for Federally-Funded Third Party Contracts

The Metropolitan Transportation Commission, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission Service Authority for Freeways and Expressways, and the Bay Area Toll Authority (collectively referred to herein as "MTC") are committed to the participation of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises ("DBEs") in MTC contracting opportunities in accordance with federal regulations 49 C.F.R. Part 26, amended June 16, 2003 by the United States Department of Transportation ("DOT"), as amended from time to time ("Regulations"). If you have any questions or would like further assistance, or information regarding this program, please contact:

Denise T. Rodrigues
Contracts Administrator
(510) 817-5897
drodri@mtc.ca.gov

FY 08/09 DBE Annual Anticipated DBE Participation Level (PDF)

DBE CERTIFICATION PROCESS

The California Unified Certification Process (UCP) has established Regional DBE Certification Clusters designated by geographical boundaries to effectively facilitate statewide DBE certification activities. The UCP eliminates the need for DBE firms to obtain certification from multiple agencies within the state. If your firm meets the General Criteria for DBE Certification, please submit your completed UCP Application Packet to one of the certifying agencies located in the region that your primary place of business is located. Note: MTC is a non-certifying agency.

Statewide DBE Database

The official UCP DBE database includes DBE firms certified by the agencies throughout the state of California.

It is the policy of MTC:

To ensure nondiscrimination on the basis or race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, or marital status, in the award and administration of contracts;
To create a level playing field on which DBEs can compete fairly for contracts and subcontracts relating to MTC's procurement and professional, technical and operational services activities;
To ensure that the DBE program is narrowly tailored in accordance with applicable law;
To ensure that only firms that fully meet 49 CFR part 26 eligibility standards are permitted to participate as DBEs;
To help remove barriers to the participation of DBE's in DOT-assisted contracts;
To assist DBE firms in doing business with other Bay Area transportation agencies; and
To assist the development of firms that can compete successfully in the market place outside the DBE Program.

The Executive Director is responsible for adherence to this policy. The DBE Liaison Officer, in coordination with the Office of General Counsel, is responsible for development, implementation, and monitoring of this program. It is the expectation of MTC's Commissioners and Executive Director that stipulations and provisions contained in this DBE program be adhered to both in the spirit and the letter by all MTC personnel.

This policy will be circulated to all MTC employees and to members of the community that perform or are interested in performing work on MTC contracts.

General Criteria for DBE Certification

If you wish to be considered for DBE certification, your business must meet the following general guidelines:

The firm must be at least 51% owned by one or more socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. Socially and economically disadvantaged individual means any individual who is a citizen of the United States (or lawfully admitted permanent resident) and who is a member of the following groups: Black American, Hispanic American, Native American, Asian-Pacific American, Subcontinent Asian American, or Women; or any individual found to be socially or economically disadvantaged on a case-by-case basis by a certifying agency pursuant to the standards of the U.S. DOT in 49 CFR Part 26.
The firm must be an independent business, and one or more of the socially and economically disadvantaged owners must control its management and daily operations.
Only existing for-profit "Small Business Concerns," as defined by the Small Business Act and Small Business Administration (SBA) regulations may be certified. DBE applicants are first subject to the applicable small business size standards of the SBA. Second, the average annual gross receipts for the firm (including its affiliates) over the previous three fiscal years must not exceed U.S. DOT's cap of $22.41 million.
The Personal Net Worth (PNW) of each socially and economically disadvantaged owner must not exceed $1.32 million. The PNW excludes the individual's ownership interest in the applicant firm and the equity in his/her primary residence. If the firm is applying for airport concession certification, it is not required to provide PNW information at this time.