What is a Disadvantaged Small Business Certification? 

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Disadvantaged Small Business Enterprises (DBE) are for-profit small business concerns where socially and economically disadvantaged individuals own at least a 51% interest and also control management and daily business operations.

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African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, Asian-Pacific and Subcontinent Asian Americans, and women are presumed to be socially and economically disadvantaged.  Other individuals can also qualify as socially and economically disadvantaged on a case-by-case basis.

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Each year, the Federal Government sets aside a specific about of projects which are eligible to DBE certified businesses.

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Benefits of Disadvantaged Small Business Certification

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• Access to grants and government contracts which are set aside for certified Disadvantaged Small Businesses

• Participate and provide services for prime contractors who need to fulfill DBE requirements associated with programs

• Better networking opportunities and brand development  

• Participate in networking events such as procurement fairs and pre-bidding events which are open to DBEs

• Become part of official directories which are used by prime contractors with connections to specified programming.

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Requirements for Disadvantaged Small Business Certification 

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The minimum requirements to qualify as a DBE under the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program are:

• Applicants, by a preponderance of evidence, must meets all requirements concerning group membership (or individual disadvantage), business size, ownership, and control as defined in the 49 C.F.R. 26 Subpart D;

• Fifty-one percent (51%) owned, capitalized, and controlled by one or more U.S. Citizens, or a legal resident (green card), who are socially and economically disadvantaged as defined below:

  • Social Disadvantage means an individual who is a member of a presumed group or a woman;

  • Economic Disadvantage means, in general terms, excluding the primary residence and ownership in the applicant firm, a socially disadvantage individual who does not have a personal net worth in excess of $1.32 million; (see FAQS below for additional information).

• Be a for-profit business, located in the United States, independently owned and operated by one or more disadvantaged individuals;

• Three-year average of the applicant firm’s annual gross receipts may not exceed $26.29 million;

• The acquisition of fifty-one percent (51%) business ownership by disadvantaged individuals must be real, substantial, on- going, beyond pro forma, as reflected in the entity’s governing and/or ownership documents;

• A disadvantaged individual must holds the highest, executive office, be responsible for managing the firm’s day-to-day business and have a technical experience, in the firm’s primary business activity.

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Why Let Our Team Get You Certified As A Disadvantaged Small Business? 

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Frankly, because our team has expertise in certification we are able to prepare the documents needed for certification in a timely and professional manner.  The typical small business owner finds it difficult to complete the paperwork and government requests that are needed for certification.  We will ensure that you have filed what is needed accurately, and promptly.

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Our Process:

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• Free extensive consultation of what certification you are looking for.

• Professional audit of your business and sharing with the business owner exactly what is needed for certification before applying.

• Completion of all required documents and applications needed for certification.  

• Outstanding communication:

  • With issuers of certificates​

  • With business owner on progress, expectations, needed documentation or signatures, and when you can expect your certificate.

• So you do not have to worry, our experts will serve as a your communication hub with the agencies you are seeking certification with.

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