The U.S. Department of Transportation is in charge of the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program and it decides how firms can become certified as Disadvantaged Business Enterprises. Disadvantaged Business Enterprises are able to seek contracts funded with federal transportation-related money.
What is a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise?
Disadvantaged Business Enterprises include small businesses that are at least 51% owned by:
- Minorities: Blacks, Hispanics, Native Americans, Asian-Pacific Americans and Subcontinent Asian Americans;
- Women;
- Other individuals on a case-by-case basis.
In order to be part of the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program, your firm must be certified as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise. ODOT only accepts Disadvantaged Business Enterprise certification from the
Certification Office for Business Inclusion and Diversity, or COBID.
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program Mission, Objectives and Plan
- Ensure non-discrimination in the award and administration of ODOT contracts.
- Create a level playing field where Disadvantaged Business Enterprises can compete fairly for federally funded contracts.
- Ensure the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program is in accordance with applicable law.
- Ensure that only eligible firms participate as Disadvantaged Business Enterprises.
- Remove barriers for Disadvantaged Business Enterprises to participate in contracting.
- Promote Disadvantaged Business Enterprises in all types of federally-assisted contracts and procurement activities.
- Assist firms so they may compete successfully in the marketplace outside the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program.
- Help firms which receive federal funding provide opportunities for Disadvantaged Business Enterprises.
You can continue your research by reading the ODOT Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Policy Statement.
- ODOT encourages Disadvantaged Business Enterprises to participate in contracts through the Civil Rights Program.
- ODOT never excludes any person from participating in, denies benefits of, or otherwise discriminates when awarding and administering contracts based on race, color, sex, and/or national origin.
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Annual Goal
ODOT has an overall Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Goal of 23.43% Disadvantaged Business Enterprise usage, which has been approved by the Federal Highway Administration within 49 CFR §26.45. The 23.43% Disadvantaged Business Enterprise goal is broken into two parts, where 17.33% of Disadvantaged Business Enterprise usage will be race-conscious and 6.10% will be race-neutral.
Proposed FHWA DBE Goals for FFY 2026 - 2028
We engaged Keen Independent Research to help prepare a three-year DBE goal for the participation of disadvantaged business enterprises in contracts funded by the Federal Highway Administration for the federal fiscal years of 2026 - 2028. Setting overall DBE goals is a requirement of receiving FHWA funds.
The study team contacted businesses by phone in the spring 2025 to collect information about their availability for different types, locations and sizes of ODOT and local agency projects.
ODOT"s use of race-neutral measures, race-conscious measures, or both, to meet the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program requirements depends on the presence or absence of evidence of discrimination in contracting opportunities for the relevant industry and locality. ODOT is currently contracted with Keen Independent Research LLC to provide a 2025 Disparity Study to meet constitutional narrow-tailoring standards as required under 49 CFR part 26.
Virtual Presentations of Proposed FHWA DBE Goals for FFY 2026 - 2028