In order for a sole proprietorship, partnership or corporation to be certified as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) the business must meet the following general guidelines:

1. The firm must be at least 51% owned by one or more socially and economically disadvantaged individuals.
2. 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.

3. 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 $17.42 million.

   For firm applying for airport concession certification: The average annual gross receipts for the firm (including its affiliates) over the previous three fiscal years must not exceed $30 million.

4. The Personal Net Worth (PNW) of each socially and economically disadvantaged owner must not exceed $750,000. The PNW excludes the individual's ownership interest in the applicant firm and the equity in his/her primary residence.

   For firm applying for airport concession certification: It is not required to provide PNW information at this time.

For details of eligibility please see the application.

Applications

Applications for Disadvantaged Business Enterprise certification are available at the State of California Business Forms web page. Once you have completed your application, mail it to:

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (CALTRANS) - Apply online here
Office of Civil Rights
P.O. Box 942874, MS 79
Sacramento, CA 954274-0001
Phone: 916-324-1700
Fax: 916-324-1862

If you have any questions, please call the above agency for information.