Federal Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Certification

Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) certification is for firms seeking contracting opportunities with recipients of federal transportation-related projects. Some of the recipients in this category include the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), Tri-Met and the Port of Portland. The eligibility criteria is based on US DOT regulations, 49 CFR 26.

Ownership and Control

• A minority or woman must own at least 51 percent of the business. Recognized minority groups for certification include: Black American, Hispanic American, Native American, Asian Pacific American, Subcontinent Asian American and others as defined by U.S. Small Business Administration
• The minority or woman owner must have managerial and operational control over all aspects of the business.

Contribution of Capital by Owners

The source of the capital contribution must come from independently owned holdings without the benefit of a transfer of assets or gifts from non-disadvantaged persons and must be proportionate to the woman/minority's ownership interest.

Independence and Size

The minority- or woman-owned business must not be associated or dependent upon a non-disadvantaged firm(s) or individual(s).

Firms must not exceed the following size standards:

General construction contractor	$22,410,000 (DBE) $33,500,000 (MWBE)
Specialty construction contractor	$14,000,000
Engineering/Architecture/Surveying	$4,500,000
Non-construction firms	Refer to Small Business Administration, North American Industry Classification System Codes (NAICS) size standards

Applications

Applications are available in two formats.

1. Choose a Word format to fill-in, save and print when completed; OR
2. Choose a PDF format to fill-in and print. You must complete and print the application in one session—there is no save option.

DBE Application—Word format
DBE Application

If Oregon Minority Business or Woman Business Enterprise Certification also is desired, you only need to complete the last page of the DBE Unified Application, titled "Request for Consideration of Certification." Available in Word or PDF.

Emerging Small Business Short form
The short form used only when applying for the Minority and/or Woman Business Enterprise certificaiton. Oregon firms can save time and money if an Emerging Small Business Certification as well as a Disadvantaged Business Certification are sought. The business must be an Oregon firm (your principle place of business must be located in Oregon).

Emerging Small Business Short form—Word format
Emerging Small Business Short form

How to Apply

The application and required documents must be mailed to:
   Business Oregon
   Small Business Services, OMWESB
   775 Summer St NE, Suite 200
   Salem, OR 97301-1280

Faxed applications cannot be accepted.

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