Frequently Asked Questions

Disadvantage Business Enterprise

The DBE Program is primarily funded by the United States Department of Transportation and administered by the maine Department of Transportation, MaineDOT to:

1. Ensure nondiscrimination in the award and administration of Federally assisted contracts.


2. Create a level playing field on which DBEs can compete for Federally assisted contracts.


3. Help remove barriers that affect participation of DBEs in Federally assisted contracts.


4. Assist the development of firms that can compete successfully in the marketplace outside the DBE program.

1. Companies will be listed in the State DBE Directory that is distributed among Prime Contractors and Consultants throughout the New England area. This Directory is also placed in the proposal forms of all advertised Federally assisted projects.

2. DBEs may participate in a variety of supportive services including but not limited to: training, technical assistance, tuition reimbursement, marketing material development, website design and access to information regarding upcoming projects and business opportunities with the MaineDOT.

1. The owner must be a member of a socially and economically disadvantaged group. This means owners who are citizens of the United States, or who are lawfully admitted permanent residents, and are: Service Disabled Veterans, Black, Hispanic, Native Americans, Asian-Pacific Islanders, Subcontinent Asians, or women regardless of race.

2. The business must be owned, at least 51%, by one or more individuals who are considered members of a socially and economically disadvantaged group.

3. The owner must control the company's management and daily operations.

4. An owner's personal net worth cannot exceed $750,000 (excluding ownership interest in the firm and the equity in his/her primary residence).

5. The company must meet the Small Business Administration's Size Standard requirements.

1. Submit a DBE Application and all required documentation.

2. Upon review of the application and required documentation, the MaineDOT will arrange an "on-site evaluation" of the company.

3. If the application is approved, the company will be certified by the MaineDOT and classified according to its products and services.

MaineDOT will calculate the overall goal using the criteria based in 49 CFR 26.45. In determining the DBE goal the MaineDOT identifies all subcontractors (DBE and non-DBE) that provided bids or quotes to active prime contractors pursuant to any advertised Federal-aid project.

MaineDOT further determined the number of all businesses (Prime Contractors and Subcontractors) that have bid or quoted on Federally-assisted contracts. The figure resulting from dividing the number of DBEs and the total amount of businesses provides the base figure. This base figure is adjusted according to different criteria included but not limited to: current capacity to perform work, distribution of Federal amount among DBEs, and subcontracting opportunities in upcoming projects.

Yes. The work performed by a DBE working as a Prime Contractor will be counted toward the goal.

The DBE Application can be obtained by:

1. Downloading the DBE Application by clicking here.


2. Calling the DBE Supportive Services, 207-942-6389.

There is no cost to apply.

The average processing time is one month after the application and required documentation are received.

One year.

Approximately 60 days prior to the certification expiration date, the MaineDOT will mail a request for recertification that includes a "Non Change Affidavit" and "Personal Net Worth Statement" to verify the company's eligibility status. This information must be mailed to the MaineDOT before the date indicated in the letter.

If your company is denied you may appeal to:

US Department of Transportation
Civil Rights Office
Certification Appeals Branch
400 7th St., SW, Room 2104
Washington, DC 20590

Please refer to the DBE Application Instructions. Click here to download the DBE Application Instructions.

The DBE certification is recognized by all Federal and State agencies.

No. A certification is only valid for the state the certification was issued in.

Once you have obtained the certification from your home state, you must contact the DBE Liaison Officer from the state you want to obtain the certification from. They will inform you of the documents required to submit in order to obtain the certification.

Yes, although the process is abbreviated you are required to submit additional information for verification.

No. Usually the certification letter from your home state, copy of your tax return, and copy of your Personal Net Worth Statement will be enough to certify. Requirements may vary depending on the State.

DBE Supportive Services offerings include, but are not limited to:

• Maintaining liaison with community-based organizations, construction associations and other assistance programs throughout the state to present the MaineDOT DBE Program.


• Assisting prospective DBEs in their certification process.


• Developing and maintain information regarding upcoming projects within the MaineDOT for public dissemination.


• Maintaining notification of future contracting and consulting opportunities in MaineDOT projects.


• Counseling DBEs on specific training and workshops available through the Supportive Services Program and elsewhere.


• Developing strategies for assisting DBE firms in order to be competitive in transportation related contracting and/or consulting projects.


• Developing working relationships with prime contractors and consultants and offer assistance by recommending DBEs for subcontract work.

To be eligible to bid for projects within the MaineDOT you must complete the Contractor Prequalification Package, which can be downloaded by clicking here and submiting the appropriate documentation.

1. On the MaineDOT website.


2. Call 207-942-6389 and ask if the plans for a project you are interested in are available.

Check the MaineDOT projects website to see the planholders for specific projects.

All the quotes must be submitted directly to the Prime Contractors.

Yes, but you have to become a prequalified bidder (see question below).

Depends on the project! If you are going to work as a subcontractor you are not required to be bonded. If you are going to bid for a project as a Prime Contractor you must show proof of bonding to become prequalified.

Although consulting contracts are usually qualifications based, there are several services that are selected by low bid procedure:

• Right-of-Way: Title Abstracting Services; Property Management Services; and Fee Appraisal Services


• Materials and Research: Geotechnical Exploration Services; Bridge Deck condition Services; Materials Testing Services; and Barrier Membrane Testing Services.


• Environment: Cultural Resources Services; Wetland Services; and Air Quality and Noise Assessment Services.


• Bridge Design: Structural Steel Inspection and Underwater Inspection Services

Prime Contractors are not required to reach a certain level of DBE participation for each project, unless specified in the contract.

For Federally funded projects minimum wage rates must be paid in accordance with the Davis Bacon Act. State funded projects require the contractor to pay the national minimum wage. This is also applicable when working as a subcontractor.

Your PNW statement will allow us to verify your status as an economically disadvantaged firm. This information is confidential.

No.

No.

You must only claim the percentage(s) owned by the disadvantaged applicant(s).