Office of Small Business Enterprise

VIA has established a Disadvantage Business Enterprise Program (DBE) in accordance with the federal regulations under the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) 49 CFR Part 26 for recipients of federal funds with $250,000 or more in contracting opportunities, excluding bus vehicle purchases. The DBE Program was established for companies owned and controlled by persons that are considered socially and economically disadvantaged. Under federal regulation 49 CFR Part 26, the following groups are presumed socially and economically disadvantaged.

• Women
• African Americans
• Hispanic Americans
• Native Americans
• Asian-Pacific Americans
• Subcontinent Asian Americans

A company, that among other things, is 51 percent or more owned (individually or in any combination) by persons from such groups may be eligible for certification as a Disadvantage Business Enterprise (DBE).

Certification

VIA only accepts DBE certifications from the following six (6) Texas Unified Certification Program (TUCP) agencies:

• South Central Texas Regional Certification Agency (SCTRCA)
• North Central Texas Regional Certification Agency (NCTRCA)
• Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT)
• City of Austin
• City of Houston
• Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority (CCRTA)

If you are a certified DBE firm in a state other than Texas, you may seek reciprocity in Texas by completing a DBE Interstate Application through SCTRCA’s Online Portal, or with one of the six (6) TUCP agencies listed above.

VIA’s DBE Program is designed to:

• Ensure nondiscrimination in the award and administration of federally funded contracts.
• Create a level playing field where DBEs can compete fairly for federally funded contracts.
• Help remove barriers for DBE participation in the bidding, award, and administration of VIA contracts.
• Assist in the development of DBEs so they can compete successfully in the market outside of the DBE program.
• Ensure that only firms that fully meet the eligibility standards of 49 CFR Part 26 are permitted to participate as DBEs.
• Ensure that the DBE Program is narrowly tailored in accordance with applicable law.

VIA accepts the premise that special efforts must be made to remove barriers to include Small Business Enterprises in the local economic mainstream, thereby promoting economic competition within the free enterprise system. VIA’s DBE program does not utilize quotas for contracts or permit the use of set-asides. To this end, VIA is committed to providing small businesses fair opportunities to participate in VIA’s SBE and DBE programs as well as assisting the development of small businesses that can successfully compete outside of VIA’s programs.

Documents

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