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Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE)

The City of San Diego's Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program helps ensure that disadvantaged businesses have a fair opportunity to compete for and participate in the City's federally funded transportation and aviation contracts.

The DBE Program is administered in accordance with U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements, California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) requirements, and other applicable federal and state nondiscrimination laws.

Program Goals

The DBE Program is designed to:

  • Promote equal opportunity in public contracting.
  • Prevent discrimination in the award and administration of federally funded contracts.
  • Increase participation by certified DBE firms.
  • Remove barriers to competition.
  • Support the growth and long-term success of disadvantaged businesses.

Certification Process

Note that the City of San Diego itself does not certify businesses as DBE. Businesses wishing to become DBE certified must apply to one of the certifying agencies in California, each of which serves specific areas and counties in the state. Businesses should apply to the certifying agency that covers the area or county where they are located. Visit the California Unified Certification Program (CUCP) Portal for assistance on finding your certifying agency and the link to that certifying agency's DBE certification application. (For businesses in San Diego County, the certifying agency is likely Caltrans, whose application may be accessed through its Disadvantaged Business Enterprise System website.)

Since January 2002, certification issued by a CUCP certifying agency will be accepted by any other participating public agency in California. So if your business is DBE certified in San Diego, it is also DBE certified in Los Angeles, Riverside, and Imperial counties, as well as with the state government. If you have a current DBE certification, you do NOT need to recertify for inclusion in the City's DBE Program.

Certification Eligibility

Businesses must meet certain eligibility criteria to be DBE certified as established by federal regulations. 

Certification Benefits

The DBE Program helps certified firms:

  • Access contracting and subcontracting opportunities.
  • Increase visibility with prime contractors and public agencies.
  • Participate in outreach, networking, and training opportunities.
  • Build capacity and compete for future public and private sector work.

Businesses certified as DBE by a CUCP certifying agency receive increased visibility through inclusion in the CUCP database of certified firms. The database is used as a resource by City of San Diego personnel, prime contractors, and other agencies and organizations throughout the state of California. A certification is valid for three (3) years and recognized throughout California.

Implementation

The City administers and monitors the DBE Program through its Equal Opportunity Contracting Program and DBE Liaison Officer. Key responsibilities include:

  • Establishing DBE participation goals for federally funded projects.
  • Conducting outreach to the business community.
  • Connecting certified DBEs with contracting opportunities.
  • Monitoring contractor compliance with DBE requirements.
  • Reporting participation and program performance to federal and state agencies.

The City emphasizes race-neutral measures such as outreach, technical assistance, training, and business development support to help DBEs compete successfully.

 

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