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Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program

The DBE program started with the 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.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (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

To increase participation of firms owned by disadvantaged individuals in all federal aid and state transportation facility contracts.

The following documents are in Adobe PDF format unless otherwise noted.
(Note: Some files are large and may take longer to download depending on individual connection speeds. Users may need to zoom in to see details.)

DBE program brochure (730 KB)

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

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

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

• UCP Civil Rights Compliance System - DBE specific uses Playing time 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.
• UCP certification manual (1.7 MB)

North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) DBE Listings

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

The list of DBE firms and their associated NAICS code(s) are provided in the following documents.

• NAICS codes of November 2011 WisDOT current pool of DBE firms
• NAICS code classification of WisDOT registered DBE firms

Other trucking resources

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

Firms already in the DBE program

• Civil Rights Compliance System - HCCI overview Playing time: 23:17
  • Overview of the many pages of the Highway Construction Contractor Information (HCCI) web site. All of the web pages related to making your firm a successful WisDOT contractor are reviewed.
  • The last five minutes has information about web pages relevant to consultant firms.
• Additional special provision (ASP) 3
• Trucking guidelines
• Process for replacing a DBE subcontractor for non-performance
• Mentor/protégé program brochure

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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.

You will need Microsoft Excel 2000 to view Excel files. If you do not have a copy of Microsoft Excel installed on your computer, you can use the Microsoft Excel Viewer (provided free of charge) to view Excel files. For more information about getting your free copy of Microsoft Excel Viewer, visit WisDOT's Software information page.


You will need the Adobe Reader (provided free of charge) to view PDF files. For more information about getting your free copy of the Adobe Reader, visit WisDOT's Software information page.

You will need a video player (provided free of charge) to view our video files. For more information about getting a free video player, visit WisDOT's Software information page.

You will need Microsoft Word to view Word files. If you do not have a copy of Microsoft Word installed on your computer, you can use the Microsoft Word Viewer (provided free of charge) to view Word files. For more information about getting your free copy of Microsoft Word Viewer, visit WisDOT's Software information page.

Questions about the content of this page, contact:
Suki Han, Suki.Han@dot.wi.gov
Last modified: December 12, 2011