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Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program

DBE program started with Surface Transportation Assistance Act of 1982, which set a national goal of placing at least 10 percent of federal highway and transit funds with persons who qualify as disadvantaged small business operators. A subsequent act in 1987 included women.

WisDOT invests between $600 and $700 million annually in federal and state dollars for highway, airport and transit projects. These funds translate into millions of dollars in transportation-related contracts and project work for DBE firms.

Program goal

The following documents are in Adobe PDF format unless otherwise noted.
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To increase participation of firms owned by disadvantaged individuals in all federal aid and state transportation facility contracts.

DBE program brochure

Uniform Certification Program (UCP) application packet

Submit a complete UCP certification application

Print, complete and return all documents and forms specified below:

Note - Failure to complete and return all documents may delay your certification process.

• UCP certification application
• Requested work/geographic area summary form (DT2188)
• Contractor statement of experience (DT2186)
• Personal financial statement

Other resources

• Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (e-CFR) and 49 CFR part 26
• Instructions for completing the UCP
• UCP supporting documents checklist

Firms currently holding Small Business Administration (SBA) certification should register their firm in the Civil Rights Compliance System (CRCS) and send a copy of the SBA application to any of the offices listed on the Wisconsin UCP application.

Civil Rights Compliance System (CRCS)

WisDOT uses CRCS to track all DBE firms and to ensure prompt payments. View video below and learn how to use it.

• UCP Civil Rights Compliance System - DBE specific uses Playing time 00:17:28
  • What is needed in order to maintain your DBE status? The system’s use in annual affidavit submissions and the recertification process are applicable to all successful DBE candidates.
  • DBE trucking firms and how to complete an annual trucking schedule online.
  • Video transcript
• UCP certification manual

North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) DBE listings

North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) is standard used by Federal statistical agencies in classifying business establishments for purpose of collecting, analyzing, and publishing statistical data related to U.S. business economy.

Other trucking resources

• Motor carrier authority application (MV2843)
• Schedule of owned/leased vehicles for DBE credit
• US DOT truck number application or call (800) 832-5660

Firms already in DBE program

• CRCS - HCCI overview Playing time 00:23:17
  • Overview of the many pages of Highway Construction Contractor Information (HCCI) website. All of the web pages related to making your firm a successful WisDOT contractor are reviewed.
  • The last five minutes has info. about web pages relevant to consultant firms.
  • Video transcript
• Additional special provision (ASP) 3
• Certificate of Good Faith Efforts (DT1202)
  • Good Faith Effort Guide - Roles and responsibilities of all stakeholders for good faith effort evaluation.
• Lessee hiring agreement (Jan. 11, 2013)
• Process for replacing a DBE subcontractor for non-performance
• Trucking utilization policy

All external hyperlinks are provided for your information and for the benefit of the general public. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation does not testify to, sponsor or endorse the accuracy of the information provided on externally linked pages.

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Questions about the content of this page:
Suki Han, suki.han@dot.wi.gov
Last modified: January 11, 2013