Disadvantaged Business Enterprise/Airport Concessions (DBE/ACDBE)
Disadvantaged and Small Business Enterprise Programs
The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program was created to provide a level playing field for small, minority- and women-owned companies wanting to do business with TxDOT and other agencies receiving federal funds from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). This program adheres to the regulations of the U.S. Department of Transportation, 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 26. Our DBE Policy outlines our goals and mission for the program.
The Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) Program is similar to the DBE Program. ACDBE is designed to level the playing field for small businesses wanting to do business with TxDOT and other agencies receiving federal funds through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and wish to participate in contracting opportunities at airports; airside, landside, and off airport.
Apply for certification
TxDOT is a member of the Texas Unified Certification Program (TUCP). The TUCP certifies DBEs and ACDBEs for participation in DOT and FAA contracting projects across the State of Texas in compliance with Code of Federal Regulations: 49 CFR Parts 26 and 23.
Businesses interested in becoming certified as a DBE and/or ACDBE can submit an application through TxDOT's Diversity Management System. Upon approval, DBE-certified companies can be used to meet the DBE goals established for federally funded contracts. No fee is associated with completing or submitting an ACDBE/DBE application.
The following are general eligibility requirements for DBE and ACDBE certification:
- Fifty-one percent owned, managed and controlled by one or more socially and economically disadvantaged individual(s).
- Must be a small business as defined by Small Business Administration (SBA).
- Personal net worth limit: $2,047,000.
- Gross receipts must not exceed $30.72 averaged out over 3 years (DBE only).
- Gross receipts must not exceed $56.42 averaged out over 5 years (ACDBE only).
- Firm must be organized as a for-profit business.
Note: Members of these groups are presumed disadvantaged:
- African-American
- Asian-American
- Hispanic
- Native American
- Women
DBE certified firms certified in highway construction are automatically eligible for Small Business Enterprises (SBE) certification. The qualified firms certified by TxDOT are not required to submit an application to become SBE-certified.
Annual update
You must update your certification annually. TxDOT will notify you of upcoming annual updates and it is the firm’s responsibility to ensure that the information in the TUCP directory is correct. Submit the DBE or ACDBE Annual Update Affidavit online using TxDOT's Diversity Management System or download and submit the form to CIV_FederalPrograms@txdot.gov.
Certification/contract compliance references
- DBE Certification FAQs
- DBE Regulations 49 CFR Part 26
- DBE Reg 49 CFR 26.13
- FHWA 1273
- Special Provision 000-1966
- Special Provision 000-002
- Special Provision 009-009
- Special Provision 000-394
- Texas Administrative Code §9.200
For more information concerning certification and supportive services, please contact a program specialist at 512-416-4700.