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The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) recently issued an Interim Final Rule (IFR) revising certain requirements under the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and Airport Concessions DBE (ACDBE) programs. These changes are significant and will impact certification, reporting, and compliance processes nationwide.

We want to take this opportunity to clarify that Broward County is one of nine members of the Florida Unified Certification Program (UCP). The Florida UCP is a cooperative effort among nine certifying agencies responsible for implementing the federal DBE and ACDBE programs consistently across the State of Florida. Because the IFR introduces new federal requirements, Broward County must coordinate closely with the other Florida UCP members to determine a uniform approach for implementation. This coordination is essential to ensure that all certification and compliance procedures remain aligned statewide.

As these discussions take place, we ask for your patience while Broward County and the Florida UCP carefully review the new rule, assess its impacts, and develop updated procedures to comply with the federal requirements. Our goal is to minimize disruption to certified firms and applicants while maintaining compliance with USDOT’s guidance. We will provide updates as soon as new information and procedures become available. In the meantime, please continue to monitor your email and the Broward County Office of Economic and Small Business Development website for further communication regarding program updates and timelines.

Thank you for your continued partnership and understanding as we work through these important federal program changes. Review FAQs related to the IFR. ​​

The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program is administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to provide a vehicle for increasing the participation of minority/women-owned business enterprises in state and local procurement. The DOT DBE program is implemented by recipients of DOT Federal Financial Assistance. View program guidelines: DBE Program Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations Part 26 (49 CFR 26). 

OESBD accepts applications for DBE certification through the State of Florida Unified Certification (UCP) Program, a "one-stop shop" for DBE applicants managed by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), as mandated in 49 CFR 26. FDOT maintains an electronic DBE Directory of its certified firms. 

Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise 

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) maintains the Department of Transportation (DOT) Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) program. The purpose of the ACDBE program is to increase opportunities for minority and women-owned small businesses to operate as concessionaires in airports around the country. The ACDBE program for airport concessions is implemented under Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations Part 23 (49 CFR 23). Florida's certified ACDBE firms are also listed in FD​OT's UCP DBE Directory.

​DBE PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY	ACDBE PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY
​Average gross receipts averaged over the three previous years must not exceed $30.72* million *Revenues averaged over the previous five years must not exceed the Small Business Administration (SBA) size standards for the primary NAICS code of the firm. For firms working on FTA or FHWA funded projects, the revenues averaged over a five year period must not exceed $30.72 million. (As of March 1, 2024)	​Gross receipts averaged over the three previous years must not exceed $56.42 million
​Personal Net Worth < $2.047 million (excludes personal residence and ownership interest in the company)
A business that is 51% owned, controlled and managed by socially and economically disadvantaged U.S. citizen or legal resident who belongs to one or more of the following categories: African-American / Black Hispanic Subcontinent Asian Asian-Pacific Native American Woman Any other group classified as disadvantaged by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Note: An individual who is not a member of the groups listed above may still be DBE certified by establishing socially disadvantaged status. Socially disadvantaged individuals are those individuals who have been subjected to racial or ethnic prejudice or cultural bias within American society because of their identities as members of groups and without regard to their individual qualities and the social disadvantage must stem from circumstances beyond their control.	A business that is 51% owned, controlled and managed by socially and economically disadvantaged U.S. citizen or legal resident who belongs to one or more of the following categories: African-American / Black Hispanic Subcontinent Asian Asian-Pacific Native American Woman Any other group classified as disadvantaged by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Note: An individual who is not a member of the groups listed above may still be DBE certified by establishing socially disadvantaged status.  Socially disadvantaged individuals are those individuals who have been subjected to racial or ethnic prejudice or cultural bias within American society because of their identities as members of groups and without regard to their individual qualities and the social disadvantage must stem from circumstances beyond their control.
​Must be a small business as defined by the SBA Must be organized as a for-profit business Must be independent	Must be a small business as defined by the SBA Must be organized as a for-profit business Must be independent

New DBE/ACDBE Application

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Interstate DBE / ACDBE Certifications

The Broward County Office of Economic and Small Business Development (OESBD) is one of nine (9) certifying members of Florida's Unified Certification Program (UCP). These nine certifying members review and process eligible small business certification applications under the federal Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) programs within the state of Florida. All certified DBE and ACDBE firms are listed in the Florida UCP DBE Directory. Once certified by a certifying member of Florida's UCP, these firms can bid as a DBE/ACDBE on contracts subject to DBE/ACDBE program requirements throughout the state of Florida. 

Businesses located in other states that are DBE and/or ACDBE certified by UCP members of those states, must apply for interstate certification with Florida's UCP if they wish to have theie DBE and ACDBE certifications recognized in the state of Florida and to be listed in Florida's UCP DBE Directory. The list of certifying members can be accessed via the UCP Member Contacts (state.fl.us) listing. 

DBEs/ACDBEs from other states seeking to respond to a specific solicitation or to participate on a specific contract within Florida, should submit an interstate certification request to the Certifying Florida UCP member in closest physical proximity to the recipient in question. Otherwise, general requests for DBE/ACDBE interstate certification will be processed by the Florida Department of Transportation in Tallahassee, Florida. If you are uncertain of the certifying entity that you should contact, please call Broward County OESBD at 954-357-6400. We will help you to identify the right point of contact. 

Firms seeking DBE/ACDBE interstate certification in relation to specific opportunities with Broward County government, which includes the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), North Perry Airport (HWO), and Broward County Transportation Department, should submit the following documents to Broward County OESBD:

• A cover letter that specifies the DBE/ACDBE is applying for Interstate Certification along with the following information:
  
• Whether DBE or ACDBE certification is being sought
  
• The applicant's Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN)
  
• A list of all UCPs that certified the firm under 49 CPR Part 23 and/or Part 26 - including the UCP that originally certified it. 
  
• An electronic image of the UCP directory of the JOC that shows the firm listed as a DBE/ACDBE.
  
• ​A new Declaration of Eligibility (DOE) form.
  
• ​​US DOT Declaration of Eligibility​ 

The cover letter and supporting documents are to be submitted via electronic mail to SBCERT@broward.org​ or a physical copy may be delivered to:

Broward County Office of Economic and Small Business Development

115 S. Andrews Ave, Room A-680

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

Confirmation of eligibility will be provided within ten (10) days of receipt of the required documents listed above. 

For additional information, you may contact Broward County OESBD at 954-357-6400.