Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program

What is a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and how can I apply?

A small business owned and controlled by one or more individuals who are both socially and economically disadvantaged according to the guidelines in the Federal DBE Program (49 CFR Part 26). Membership in certain race and ethnic groups identified under "minority-owned business enterprise" in this appendix may meet the presumption of socially and economically disadvantaged. Women are also presumed to be socially and economically disadvantaged by the federal program. Examination of economic disadvantage also includes investigating the gross revenues and the firm owner's personal net worth (maximum of $750,000 exclusive of equity in a home and in the business). Some minority and women-owned firms do not qualify as DBEs because of the gross revenue or the net worth requirements. A firm owned by a non-minority male can be certified as a DBE if social and economic disadvantage is proven in accordance with 49 CFR Part 26. Tribally-owned concerns can be certified as a DBE if the enterprise meets the requirements in 49 CFR Part 26.

What is the State of Florida Unified Certification Program (UCP)?

The UCP will provide “one-stop shopping” to applicants for DBE certification, such that an applicant need apply only once for a DBE certification that will be honored by all UCP Members in Florida . The UCP maintains an electronic DBE Directory of all firms certified in Florida that will be available to the public on the Internet and in print.

Broward County Small Business Development Division certification officers will accept and process DBE applications only from those firms located in Broward County . If you are interested in applying for DBE certification and are not located in Broward County , you should contact your local UCP Certifying member. To view the list of participating members and their contacts, please click below:

UCP Certifying Member List

http://www.bipincwebapps.com/fdot/ucp/ucppartners.asp

Processing Out-of-State Applications

The UCP will not process a new application for DBE certification from a firm having its principal place of business in another state unless the firm has already been certified in that state. When a Certifying Member processes an out-of-state application, a full certification application file with all supporting documentation will be compiled by the Certifying Member, including a copy of the Site Visit Report obtained from the applicant's home state or from the state's UCP if it is in place, before the firm is included in the State of Florida DBE Directory.

State of Florida UCP Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Directory

DBE Uniform Certification Application  .pdf -- 888 kb
DBE Affidavit For Continuing Eligibility .pdf -- 9 kb

Mail your completed DBE application to:

Broward County Small Business Development Division
115 S. Andrews Ave. Ste. A-640
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl 33301
Att'n. Certification Section