MaineDOT DBE Program Overview

The Program

The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program is primarily funded by the United States Department of Transportation and administered by the Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT).

The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program was created to:

Ensure nondiscrimination in the award and administration of Federally assisted contracts.
Create a level playing field on which DBEs can compete for Federally assisted contracts.

Help remove barriers that affect participation of DBEs in Federally assisted contracts; and
Assist the development of firms that can compete successfully in the marketplace outside the DBE program.

The Benefits

The DBE Program Provides companies with substantial benefits. Some of these benefits include:

Companies will be listed in the State DBE Directory that is distributed among Prime Contractors and Consultants throughout the New England area. The directory is also placed in the proposal forms of all advertised Federally assisted projects. The DBE Directory is a successful marketing tool for DBEs.
DBEs have access to a list of work items typically subcontracted by Prime Contractors and Consultants. A DBE's search for firms that perform related work is facilitated by the Prime Contractor/Consultant Quick Reference Chart located in the front of the DBE Directory. This information may be a key to generating new business opportunities.
DBEs receive information regarding upcoming MaineDOT projects and the Prime Contractors/Consultants that have shown interest in them.

Requirements

Before being certified as a DBE, a company must meet five basic requirements:
1. The owner must be a member of a socially and economically disadvantaged group. This means owners who are citizens of the United State, or who are lawfully admitted permanent residents, and are: Black, Hispanic, Native Americans, Asian-Pacific Islanders, Subcontinent Asians, service disabled veterans, 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 inthe firm and the equity in his/her primary residence).

5. The company must meet the Small Business Administration's Size Standard requirements. Visit www.sba.gov/size/sizetable.html for more information.